Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-12-08
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS-.
FRIDAY, December s.

NJ II IN. The following bills, petitions, &c,
were introduced and referred as follows:
BY Mr.. Cameron. wis petition or GER
tain persons for the redemption of greenback
currency. Committee on finance.
BY Mr.. West-A bill for the relief of Judge
w W. HanoliD, of La. Committee on judi
BY Mr.. Anthony-A bill to provide for the
engraving and printing of a portrait of the
late H. III. SiarkweatheT. He said il had been
customary Ia print such portraits To accom-
pany the eulogieS of deceased members and
senators, but the superintendent of the bu-
reau OF engraving and printing had no funds
for this purpose, and the Congressional prin-
ter had none, and IL was necessary To pass
this bill 10 provide for this case. He thought
il might be advisable 10 discontinue this
practice, but il could not very well he done
now. Eulo2ieS were To be passed sometime
in February upon the life of a distinguished
member of the House. who had been its pre-
siding officer, and IL was desirable to accom-
pany the culOgics with portrait. After
this. when there should be no ease pending.
Il would be proper 10 pass a law to prohibit
II i'm future.
Mr.. Davis asked the cost i'm this case. and
was informed that IL would bc s6S). which
was the usual cost in cases where the portrait
was not ia existence. There was nothing un-
usual in this case, only the necessity of ap-
prOpriating the money. The bill was passed.
BY Mr., Insalls-A resolution calling upon
the Secretary OF the Interior for information
as To the efforts made to remove the Sioux
from their reservation to the Indian Terrific
ry. He asked its present consideration, and
il was adopted.
hMr. Mitchell moved TO take up the resolution
10 restrain persons from acting IA electors.
and refer 1t IN the committee on privileges
and elections So ordered.
Mr. Edmunds moved totake up Senate res
Olution No. 10 of last session.
Mr.. Merrimon raised the point of order that
the twenty -firSt joint rule prohibited taking
up of unfinished business within six DAYS of
the opening of another session.
The President pro tenpOTe overruled the
point OF order. on the ground that the Joint
rules were not in force. and this resolution
came up under the sd rule Of the Senate,
which was read.
Mr.. Nerrimon appealed from the decision
of the Chair. and asked that the vote on the
appeal be taken by yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered. and Mr..
MerrimOn took the floor TO discuss the ques-
ton; but yielded TO Mr.. Logan, who moved
that Senate bill l026, introduced last session.
providing for issue of silver coin and making
silver legal tender, which had never been
referred, that IL now be referred 10 the COM
mittee on finance. So ordered.
Also TO Mr. Morton, who asked that three
more additional members be added to the
committee on privileges and elections. TO aid
Them in performing the work referred 10
them. So ordered.
Also 10 Mr.. Harvey. who asked that the
committee To inquire into the civil service be
authorized TO employ q clerk; which author
ity was granted.
Mr.. Merrimon, resuming the floor. said he
had no objection to the consideration OF res
olution No. 10, if it could be done properly.
He believed that the joint rules were still in
force Unanimous consent by the Senate
does not even suspend The Joint rules with
out the consent OF the House. He proceeded
TO read decision of the President of the Sen
ate on this point in 1871. when Mr.. Edmunds
said he would concede that portion recorded
in that decision.
Mr. Merrimon then said that at the last
session resolution was reported from the
committee on rules, the purpose OF which was
TO readOpt the Joint rules. He gave a history
ofthat action through its various stages and
said that he aSsented 10 the resolution OF
adoption in the committee. but he had since
given the subject considerable attention. and
was satisfied that there was need of
passing that resolution, for the joint rules
were then in force. and had been since
| the foundation OF the government. The
Joint rules. in his opinion. were perpetual.
The two houses were not Independent of each
other. The Senate was perpetual, and in his
| opinion the House was the same. Did any
one doubt that the functions OF the govern
ment were perpetual? so the existence OF
| the House is perpetual. The House was not
always organized, but the interim was
| only an artificial one. and did not
alter the question about the continu-
BUSINESS of the House. Ii il always in exist
ence. and always liable 10 be called TO con-
ventiOn.
Mr.. Johnston said that the Joint rules were
| absolutely necessary Business could not
| be carried OF a single day without the joint
rules. Why. the Senate transac ted business
every day of last session under the joint
| rules, and the Senate could not notify the
| House OF any action except under the Joint
rules.
Mr. Edmunds-Dont the Senator know
| that general parliamentary law governs
| those points?
Mr.. JOhnston-No sir / do not know it.
Mr.. Edmunds.-Well, he ought TO know it.
Mr.. johnston think il is done under the
| joint rules.
Mr.. Edmunds-Were not the Senators
sworn in and organized in the beginning of
| the government before there We're any Joint
rules?
| Mr.. Johnston.-Yes. sir.
In "A all l,nnu Iii ffaax-
! municate their existence as a body to the
| House at that time?
Mr.. Johnson suppose there was some
way OF doing IT, Governments always have
4 To start.
| Mr. Edmunds-Well. can't a government
| keep going as well as start without Joint
rules?
Mr.. Johnston proceeded to discuss the Ques-
| ton. and said tile Senate could not appoint a
| joint committee without joint rules.
Mr.. Edmunds.-The Senate never had q
joint committee. and never viii have. prob
ably.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
| Whitthorne introduced a bill for the relief Of
! officers OF the navy whose pay was reduced
| by order of the Secretary of the Navy, and
! repeating so much of the revised statutes as
authorizes the Secretary OF The Navy to fur
| Tough officers i'm certain cas,s. Referred TO
naval COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Piper introduced a bill to establish the
| territory of the Black Hills. and TO provide
miitee on territories.
Mr.. Cutler introduced bill TO continue the
! publication Of the monthly reports Of the
| commissioner of Agriculture. Referred To
| committee OF appropriations.
| Mr.. Baker Introduced Joint resolution
proposing AN amendment 10 the constitution
/ OF the United States prohibiting the assump-
! ton or payment by the United States Of any
/ claims growing out of the loss or use or oc-
/ cupation of property in the southern states
| during The late war by the L. s. army. Re-
J ferred To committee on the judiciary.
This being Friday the Speaker called the
( committees for bills OF private nature. but
! the call was very soon concluded, and but
/ few bills were reported.
The speaker then proceeded with the call
OF the states for resolutions which would
nave to lie on the table III debate should arise.
Mr.. LeMoyne offered resolution reciting
/ that differences OF opinion might arise De
tween the members of the two houses as TO
the couating OF the electoral vote, and an
/ thorlzing the appointment of a joint COM
mittee OF 1--WE Senators and five Representa-
tives TO present the whole matter to the SUI
| preme Court and get the views OF that tri-
/ bunal.
Debate arising the resolution was laid over
under the rule.
Mr.. Faulkner introduced a resolution di-
rectfng the committee on military affairs TO
n.xA-