The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-07
nd 1t was adopted -l5s to 90, a party

and /. was adopted -l6s to 90, - party
vote.
Tho House then adjourned, when an
announcement was made Of Democratic
caucus, forthwith.
SENATE.
Mr.. Window introduced bill to ex-
tend the provisions Of the act Of July 4th,
1870, making an additional graut Of land
to Minnesota TO aid in the construction
OF railroads in that State. Ordered on
the table for the present.
The standing committees were then 40.
nounced, and Il was ordered that all bills
and petitions heretofore presented DO re-
ierred to appropriate committees.
Mr.. Morton said the resolution regard.
ing an inquiry into the late elections In
certain Southern States imposed on the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
important and arduous laborS, and on his
motion threo additional members were
appointed.
cHINEsE QUESTION.
On motion OF Mr.. Morton, II was order
ed that testimony taken by special com.
mittee to examine into the question OF
Chinese immigration be printed.
INFORMATION CALLED FOR.
Mr.. Withers called up the resolution
submitted by him yesterday requesting
the President 10 inform the Senate, II not
incompatible with the public interest,
under what authority and for what pur
pose troops Of the United States occupied
the city Of Petersburg, Va, on November
7, 1876. the day Of the general election.
Mr.. Logan moved it TO be referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs. A
lengthy debate followed during which
Mr.. Withers argued it was not usual to
refer to such resolutions.
Mr.. Logan said he had heard no reso.
luton assigned for this inquiry There
was no evidence that troops were sent to
Petersburg for any improper purpose.
there was no evidence they did any thing
wrong. VAST doctrine to be asserted
that the troops OF the United States could
have no place in any states where they
could be stationed. The President Of the
United States had right to send troops
any where in the United States, for law.
ful purposes, unless there was the same
charge against tho Presidents putting
troops in Petersburg improperly, this
resolution should go 10 the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Withers said that in the absence
Of information on the subject, he could
not say whether troops were there
lawfully or unlawfully, and 1t was for
the purpose OF getting information that
he offered resolution.
Mr.. Thurman said that the very object
Of this resolution was 10 find out II
troops were sent TO Petersburg for law
full purpose. He read from the statutes
to show the law under which troops
could be ordered, and said that the bur
den OF the proof rested on those who sent
troops to that city 10 show that their
presence wnS necessary to repel the armed
enemies OF the United States or to keep
peace at the polls.
Mr.. Logan denied that the troops in
Petersburgh were al the polls or inter-
fered with the election. There had been
no violation Of any law In sending the
army there. Suppose the country should
be engaged to-day in troublesome war,
would the Senate havc the right to in
quire OF the President why he made q
movement OF any branch Of the army2
1t would have tho same right to make
that inquiry that 1t had to inquire why
troops were encampcd in certain State
Mr.. Wi,hers said bis information vas
to the effect that tho troops were ordered
there in response to the application Of tho
Z. s. Marshal for the Eastern District
of Virginia to remain during the cleo
tion.
Mr.. Thurman spoke OF the British
laws, and said under an act Of Parlia-
ment no troops could be stationed within
ono mile OF a polling place on election
day. The Senator from Illinois (Logan)
seemed 10 think that tho President OF the
United States could fill town full OF
troops on an election day without any
violation OF law. The Senate had right
to know whether or not the President
had been imposed on in ordering troops
to Petersburg.
Mr.. Logan-1f the doctrine OF the Sen.
ator from Ohio (rhurman) was correct
soldieso could not be quurtercd in any
State on the day Of an election, and he
Logan supposed arrangements must be
made TO send them up in balloon and
leave them up until after the election.
Mr.. Logan argued that tho meaning Of the
statute read by Mr.. Thurman was that
troops should not be held at tho polls TO
intinidatc men. The argument that
troops could not be stationed In town
when an election was being held there
was contrary to common sense. At the
request Of Mr.. Logan Mr.. Window then
modified his resolution TO read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the President be and he
is hereby requested toiniorm the Senate,
il not incompatible with the public 10.
terest, whether troops Of the United
States were stationed at the city Of Peters
burg, State OF Virginia, on the 7th Of No
vember, 1876, the day OF tho general cleo.
ton. II so, under what authority and
for what purpose.
Mr.. Morton said there was no allega.
tions that these troops interfered with or
overawed any body. They had right
to be in Petersburg, and the general con.
dition OF the South now and during the
pas, few years was asuficient warrant TO
the President 10 put troops in any OF the
Southern States.