The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-09
F0RTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
WAsHINaroN, December s.
SENATE,

efforts nave Deen Nlhue 70 remove tue
Sioux Indians from their treaty reservs-
tion to Indian territory, and what nego-
tistions are now pending between the
government and said Indians, together
with the object and purpose thereof.
Agreed TO.
Mr.. Mitchell called Tor the reference OF
the resolution submitted by him yesterday
directing the Committee on Privileges
and Elections to investigate the facts
attending the appointment of E. A.
Cronin as Presidential elector by the
Governor OF Oregon. 1t was referred 10
the committee without debate.
On motion of Mr.. Hogan the bill in
troduced by him at the last session, to pro-
vide for the issue of silver coin and 10
make the silver dollar a legal tender,
was taken from the table and referred to
the Committee on Finances.
Mr.. Morton moved that three addition
al members to the Committee on Priv
ileges and Elections be appointed 10 aid
in dischsrging the duties imposed by the
resolution of Mr.. Edmunds, providing for
an investigation iHto the receLt elections
in Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgis
and Louisians. Ii WAS agreed 70, and The
Chair was authorized TO sppoint the new
members.
Mr.. Harvey submitted resolution
authorizing the select committee 10 eX
anime into the several branches of the
civil service, TO employ clerks and send
for persons and papers. Agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up joint
resolution proposing an amendment 10
the constitution OF the United States in
regard to the counting of the electoral
vote by the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Merrimon objected, and read the
2lst joint rule providing that the un-
finished business left over from one ses-
sion shall Lot be taken up for action until
the lapse OF six days from the beginning
OF the subsequent session. he made q
point of order thst under that rule the
Joint resolution could not be considered
now.
The Chair Mr.. Ferry overrulei the
point announced that the joint rules were
not in force, and besides, this subject was
covered by rule 81, which he directed to
be read. 1t provides that st the COM
mencemet OF the second session, the bus
mess shall be resumed and proceeded
with as if no adjournment had taken
place.
Mr.. Merriman appealed from the
decision of the Chair, and said he had no
objection to taking up this joint resou-
ton, if it could have been done properly,
but il tho 2lst jJint rule wss in force ss
be believed it was, the resolution could
not be taken up. The JOINT rules
were in force. and il It WAS not compe-
tive for the Senate tO abolish them with
out the consent Of the House neither
house could withdraw assent 10 these
rules without the concurrence OF the
other. lie read from the proceedings Of
Congress at the previous session, to show
that the 2lst joint rule mas been frequent.
ly enforced. The joint rules bad been
in favor since the existence Of the Gov.
eminent They had never been ques-
toned rs nothing had ever been said
about their re-adoptlon TIL At
the last session OF the Senate.
Mr.. johnson said that although II WAS
contended now, sni had been NJ the last
session. that there were no joint rules IN
force before the Senate and House,
they acted under them every day. The
business of Congress could rot 20 on
without them. He quoted 1T length from
the Joint rules, and said authority 10 ap-
point conference committees WAS derived
from the JOINT rules; the Transmission or
messages from one house 10 another Was
in pursuance of the JOINT rules.
Mr.. Edmunds said there was q general
parliamentary rule providing for the
committees Of confere nee.
Mr.. johnson argued that there were
various committees appointed under the
Joint rules, among them Committees on
Enrolled Bills and Committee on Lii
brsry and others.
Mr.. Sergeant said when the list of
committees WAS reported the other day IT
was accompanied by resolutions author
izing the Committees on Library, Public
Buildings and Grounds, Printing md
Enrolled Bills 70 act concarrently with
those committees OF the House. TINS
showed that the Senate did not recognize
the Joint rules under which the commit
tees might act
Mr.. Davis said when the committees
were reported, he inquired Of the Senator
from Iowa M. Wright who re-
ported them as 10 whether there had
been any change in the usual custom OF
appointing committees, and WA sssur-
ed BY that Senator that there was no
change. Now, it appeared there was a
change for the purpose OF avoiding the
joint rules.
Mr. Wright ssid some one was talking
TO him when the Senator from West
Virgins, Mr.. Davis, sSkcd question.
He understood him TO inquire It there
was any great change N the orgsniZat on
of the committee lie replied lu the
negative.
Mr.. Morten said that perhaps there
wss no legal proposition that could be
stated but what could be argued iaYorS-
big. 1t was perfectly plain TO him that
there were no joint rules, a. the Senate
had withdrawn from them, and II had n
perfect right 10 do 30. lie quoted from
various authorities in support Of his ar
gument and read from the record the
views heretofore expressed by Senators
Oh the Democratic side. He said that in
his opinion the entire purpose OF BIS
friends on the other side in maintaining
that the JOINT rules were binding now
was 10 maintain the twenty-second
Joint rule 10 relation 70 the count Of the
electoral vote, which had been condemn
ed a. wicked everywhere
Mr.. Merrimon ssid be would not be
g unchAritsble az 20 say that the Repub.
lican side Of the house desired 70 get rid
Of il for purpose.
Mr, Morton said te had been trying u
get nd Of the twenty-second JOINT rule
years past.
Mr. Baysrd spoke Of the twenty.
second JOINT rule a. being the only
one Objectionable, snd read from hl:
remarks Of the last see sion IN
favor Of the passage OF law re
gulaiing the count OF the eiectorrl vote
instead Of dealing with the subjec! BY
in, ,pIa Ua commen.ed At lenE 9Th on