The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-11
F0RTY-F0URTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, January 10.
RENATE.

hr. ShrReuL prcseutco Petision vi
twenty-six thousand six hundred and
sixteen women of Utah. asking the re-
repeal of the anti.polygsmy law Of 1862,
(the Poland billy and that Utah be ad-
mitted as q State in the Union. In
presenting the petition Mr.. Sargent said
he did not concur in the object of the
petitioners but be believed in the right
of the petition and therefore laid the
matter before the Senate as they had re-
quested him to do. Referred.
Mr.. Thurman presented petition OF
citizens of Ohio, asking the repeal Of the
resumption act, passed last session, and
also the enactment law to provide for
the retirement Of national bank notes
and substitute therefor legal tender
United States notes and the sssue
of 3 3.65 convertible bond, the
proceeds of the sale of such bonds to
be applied first to the redemption OF six
Der cent, and second to the redemption
of eight per cent. gold bearing bonds.
Referred.
The Cuban Question.
Mr.. Conover submitted the follow
ing:
Resolced BY the Senate and House Of
Representatipes of the United States of
america in Congress assembled, That in
compliance with the will of the people,
the precedents Of history, the best estsb-
lished principles Of international law,
the precepts of Christian rule and NOR
ality and the requirements of CONNER
cial and political interests of the United
States and taking into consideration the
relations existing between the United
States and Spain, and that 1t is desirable
that reciprocal sentiments of good under
standing between the two peoples and
governments should not be changed by
reason OF grave events, which for seven
years have taken place in the Island OF
Cuba; that the President Of the United
States be and he is hereby authorized
and requested to declare and maintain
the strictest neutrality between the gov
ernment of Spain and the people of
Cuba.
Resolred, That in making this declara'
ton through the usual form Of procla-
nation and in order to protect citizens
OF the United States an merchants and
navigators in general, from injury in any
way for wanting precise and clear reg
ulations to govern them in this matter
and the President ofthe United States
be aud is hereby authorized and reques-
ted to place in full force and operation
the same provisions made and exactcd
by the Government of her Majesty, Queen
of Spain, on June II 1861, on the occa-
sion of the outbreak ofthe civil war in
the United States. Ordered printed and
laid on the table.
Mr.. Hamlln, from the Committee on
Rules, reported back the resolution sub
mitted before the holiday recess, to
adopt the joint rules in force during the
last session of Congress as the joint rules
of the present session, with the recon-
mendation that it be passed, and asked
Its present consideration.
Mr.. Dorsey introduced bill to organ
ize the Territory Of Okalohoura, and for
the protection of the Indian tribes
therein. Referred.
Mr.. WitEers introduced bill appro-
priating 100000 for continuing the i'm
provement OF the James river at and
below Richmond. Referred.
Mr. Hamilton introduced bill to Sc
cure the speedy completion of the Texas
Pacific railroad from point at or near
Marshall, Texas, to the southeastern
boundary of California, and to author
iZe the Southern Pacific Railroad Com
pany to aid in building the same; and
also 10 build branch Of its road to San
Diego, California. Referred.
AIMr. Anthony submitted resolution
instructing the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds to inquire and
report whether the monuments erected
by order OF the Senate to the memory OF
deceased Senators. have been placed over
the remains OF those Senators, and suita-
bly inscribed. Also whether there are
any deceased Senators not honored by
the erection of monuments. Agreed to-.
After some other unimportsnt business,
the Senate proceeded to the consideration
of executive business, and when the doors
were reopenad the resolution submitted
by Mr.. Morton in regard to the
President Pro. Tenn. OF the Senate
were taken up, together with the report
of the Committee on Privileges and Eec-
tions
Mr.. Merriman, member OF the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections, gave
his reasons at some length for dissenting
from the report Of the majority. He
argued that the President pro. tenn. OF the
Senate was not a mere occupant OF the
chair by the courtesy OF the Senate. His
official character was recognized by the
Constitution as well rs by the other de-
partments OF the government lie
quoted from the act OF 1892, and argued
that the Senate had no power TO yacate
the office.
Mr.. Salisbury did not agree with the
views expressed by the Senator from
North Carolina Mr.. Merrimanl He
rMr. Salisbury argued that the Senate
mad right to change its officers at pleas
ure. Ifthe President pro tenn. OF the
Senate should fail 10 discharge his duties
and the Senate had not the power to re-
lieve him there was no remedy, as he
was not an impeschable officer. He
spoke in complimentary terms of the
present President pro ten, and said that
all were satisfied with his fairness. This
was a question, however, not affecting
private rights, but one of legal char.
acter.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, spoke at length
in opposition 20 the power OF the Senate
to change the President pro TEN at will.
The question being on the adoption OF
the resolution submitted BY Mr.. Morton,
Mr.. Merriman called for division, aud
. the vote being taken, on the first one
it was adopted unanimously, yess SO,
nsys none The resolution was also
adopted, yeas G., nays none. When the
third resolution was read Mr.. Thurman
moved that it be laid over, that the Sena-
tors might have more time TO consider it.
De-, ,I;nr d;scussinn the Sem adjourned