The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-12-15
CONGRESS-.

the resolution offered by Mr.. Withers of
Virginia, requesting the President to inform
the Senate why U. S. troops occupied the
city of Petersburg on election day was
adopted. A message was received from the
President, enclosing letter from Senator
Sherman and other Republicans who were
at New Orleans during the canvassing of the
Louisiana vote Ordered to be printed.
In the House the same message was re.
ceived and laid on the table, Mr. Wood of
New York expressing surprise that the Pre-
sident should have sent such message and
stating that his first impulse was to move
that it be sent back.
In the Senate on Thursday a communica-
ton was presented from Carl Schu rz and j.
B. Henderson, asking the adoption of Con-
stitutional amendment comforting upon the
Supreme Court of the United States the du-
| ty of counting the Electoral vote and declar-
ing the result. 1t was laid upon the table.
Mr.. Mitchell, of Oregon, submitted res
olution, which was ordered to be printed and
| lii on the table, directing the Committee on
Privileges and Elections to inquire into the
facts connected with the issuance of certii-
Gates to the Cronin Electoral College in that
Stat. A Bill was introduced by Mr.. Howe,
of Wisconsin, to restrain unauthorized per-
sons from assuming to act as Electors.
In the House Mr.. McCrary, of Iowa. of
fered resolution for the appointment of a
committee of five, to act with a similar COM
mittee Of the Senate, in preparing a measure
for the better regulation of the counting Of
Electoral votes, the committee to have leave
to report at any time. II was referred to the
Judiciary Committee, with leave to report.
In tho Senate on Friday Mr. Mitchel's
resolution directing the Committee on Priv
ileges and Elections to investigate the facts
connected with Cronin's appointment as an
E!ector by the Governor of Oregon, was re-
ferred to that committee. Mr. Logan's bill
introduced last session, to provide for the is
sue Of. silver coin and to make the silver
dollar a legal tender was referred to the com
mittee on Finance.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up the joint
resolution proposing All amendment to the
Constitution providing for the counting Of
the Electoral votes by the Supreme Court.
Objection was made by Mr.. Merrimon, under
the order of business established by the
| Twenty first joint rule. Tne objection was
overrued by the Chair on the ground that
the joint rules were not in force. Mr.. Mer.
rimon appealed from the decision of the
Chair, After considerable discussion of the
legal points involved, the decision of the
Chair was sustaiued-yeas so, nays L. Elev.
en- Democrats voted wi. h the Republicans
in the affirmative.
In the House, Mr.. Piper of California, in
troduced bill establishing the Territory of
resolution requesting the President to trans
NIT copies of all orders and directions ema
mating from him or any of the Executive
| Departments of the Government to any mil
itary commander or civil officer, with refer
ence to the service Of the army or any por
.tion thereof in the States of Virginia, South
Carolina, Louisiana and Florida, since the
lst of August last, together with reports,
telegraphic or otherwise, from any of such
| military commanders or civil officers. OBJ
lection was raised by Messrs. Kasson, Hale
and other Republican members, bu. was
overruled by the Speaker, unanimous consent
having been given on Thursday for the in-
PRODUCTION of the resolution, with the under
standing that it should come up ano ther day.
At Mr.. Kasson's suggestion, the words "if
not incompatible with the public interests"
were inserted, and the resolution, thus mod
fled, was adopted without n division.
In the United States Senate on Monday,
Mr., Bogy of Missouri, asked leave to pre-
sent for the purpose Of being printed, the
report of the five Democrats who were invi-
ted to attend the counting of votes by the
Louisiana Returning Board. Objection be-
ing made to its reception under the rules OF
the Senate, it was decided that Messrs. Ste
venson, of Kentucky, and Mcdonald, OF
Indiana, should join Mr.. Bogy in presenting
the report as petition, 50 that it might be
printed as well as the Sherman report A
petition was presented from Joseph E. Johns.
ton, asking the removal of his political disa.
bilities. Mr.. Edmunds' Constitutional
amendment that the Electoral vote shall be
counted by the Supreme Court and the
amendment thereto OF the Judiciary Com
mittee providing that the Electors shall vote
,ira voce, were discussed at length.
In the House number of bills were in
troduced, none of special interest. A reso.
luton offered by Mr.. Cox of New York
for the appointmentment OF committee o
Ave to inquire into election frauds in New
York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Jersey
City was agreed 20 without a divisio n.
A resolution was also adopted, instructinl
the Judiciary Committee to inquire into The
Legality of the Attorney Generals circular
to U. S. Marshals regarding their power,
and duties during the Presidential cam.
raign.
In the Senate on Tuesday Mr.. Blyarl's
resolution calling on the Attorney Genera
to furnish information concerning the EN-
poyment of deputy marshas at the late
election was agreed to. The report Of the
Louisiana Democratic Committee was re-
ceived. Mr.. Edmunds' resolution to have
the Supreme Court count the Electoral votes
was discussed.
In the House the 2li; joint rule was dis
cussed at length.
In the Senate on "Wednesday no business
of interest was transacted.
The House passed the Bland silver bill.
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