The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-12-15
THE XLIVth CONGRESS.
Senate,

THE XLIVth CONGRESS.
| Senate
MONDAY, December 1.-THE Senate
OF the Eorty-Fourth Congress assembled promptly
at IL o'clock. 1t was called to order and the two
members from Colorado were sworn in
Chaffee for the long term and Teller
for the short A recess was taken till
O'Clock, when Edmunds of Vermont Of
| tered resolution for the examination by the CON-
mittee on privileges, and elections of all alleged
cases of Intimidation in South Carolina, Georgia,
! Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi .
recommending convention to revise and amend
the constitution of the United States.
House.
MONDAY, December Am immense
number of visitors witnessed the opening pro-
ceedngs of the House The question of prece-
dence arose as to whether the new member from
Colorado should first be or the election of
speaker should be proceeded with. The clerk
decided that Holman's resolution to the latter
effect would be first in order Samuel j. Randa Il
was nominated for Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives by Cox, and James A. Garfield by
McCrary. Cymer, Banning, Banks of Massachu-
sets, and Wilson of Iowa, were appointed tellers
The vote resulted follows: Whole number of
votes cast 246; necessary to choice 124. Samuel
J. Randall received 161; James A. Garfield 80
Charles G.. Williams received one, given by his
colleague, Magoon; VIM. r. Morrison one given by
Potter, of Michigan; George E. Hoar one, given by
Seelye, of Michigan. The election received in
a neat speech which expressed the national regret
at the lamented Michael C. Kerrs death, and a
plea for moderation in the present deliberations of
the House, so full OF moment to the country. The
credentials of the members were considered,
those of Butts of South Carolina, and Bedford, of
Colorado, meeting with strenuous opposition, the
latter's being referred to the Judiciary Committee
and the formers to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections After committee to wait upon
the President had been appointed, the following
members were announced the South Carolina
Committee: Sayler, Abbott, Springer, Eden, Jones
of Kentucky, Phillips of Missouri, Banks, Lapham,
Lawrence.
Senate.
TUESDAY, December 5.-Morton SUBJ
mitted joint resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States, to pro-
vide for the election of President and Vice Presi
dent by direct vote of the people; referred
Wright presented petition asking that Iowa be
divided into two judicial DISTRICTS referred .
Spencer introduced bill to establish the Territory
of Black Hills, and provide for a temporary gov
eminent there; laid on the table. :. After long
debate and strict party vote, the olution in
| troduced Monday by Edmunds was taken from the
| table, and was amended by Edmunds as to
authorize the committee to extend its inquiry to
the elections of 1874 in the States named; the
luton was laid aside for the time being, and the
message of the President read. Wither's sub
mitted a resolution of inquiry into the Presidents
authority for statoning troops at Petersburg Va,
/ on election day. laid over on objection. :. Ed
munds' resolution was then taken up, and after
considerable debate, agreed to-. Edmunds
gave notice that he wonld day move to take up
the joint resolution respecting the method of
| counting and deciding the electoral vote. Merri-
man introduced bill to alter times prescribed for
holding elections for President and Vice President,
and counting the electoral vote; referred. 1t pro-
v1des that the election shall be held in October,
and the electoral college shall meet in January.
House.
TUESDAY, December 5.-After Oppo-
sition the Democratic side of the House to have
Plaisteds vote on the resolution for the appoint
ment of Louisiana ommittee, corrected, and
changed from the affirmative to the negative as he
had voted, it was done, but Fuller, Democrat, rose
and said that he had voted in the afr native. and
that his name did not appear; Speaker Randall's
vote in the affirmative carried the motion. two
thirds majority being necessary. The 10Th inst.
was fixed as day to offer suitable resolutions on
the late Speaker NJ G. Kerr's death =. Following
are the select committees: Morrison, Jerks Nc
Mahon, Lynde, Blackburn Meade, House, Phelps
New, Ross, Townsend. Pa. Danford. Hurlbut See
Crops and Joyce. On Florida: Thompson, De-
bolt, Walling, Hopkins, Garfield and Dunnell of
South Carolina.
Senate.
WEDNESDAY,, December Con- mo-
ion of Morton two additional members on the
Committee on Privileges and Elections were ap
pointed. 1t was ordered that the testimony in
the Chinese emigration question taken by the
special committee during the adjournment of Con-
gress be printed. Withers offe red a resolution
which adopted, that the President inform the
Senate, if not incompatible with public interest
whether the troops of the United States were sta
toned at the city of Petersburg in the state of
Virginia on the It'll of November, 1876, the day of
the general election and if so, under what author
ity and for what purpose The chair laid before
the senate a message from the President of the
United States endorsing the report of Senator
sherman and other members of the committe
which. visited New Orleans, together with accom-
panying testimony in regard to the recent elections
in Louisiana and moved that it be printed and lie
on the table. After discussion by Bogg Sher-
man. Stevenson and others, the motion was referred
to the Committee Printing.
House.
WEDNESDAY, December 6.-At the
close of the morning hour the Speaker laid before
the House message from the President trans
uniting a letter accompanied by testimony, ad-
dressed to him by Hon. John Sherman and other
distinguished citizens in regard to the canvass of
the vote for electors in Louisiana. The message
was read after an exerton had been inside to refer
IL to the select Louisiana committee. The Speaker
spoke OF the message most extraordinary and IN
precedented, and simply moved that the message
and the accompanying document be laid on the
table. Can ried by a vote of 153 yeas to 80 Maya
party vote. Washburn was appointed addition
al member of the select committee of Florida 1.
Senate.
THURSDAY, December THE ma
jority of the Committee on Printing report in ia
vor of printing all the dispositions accompanying
he report of John Sherman on Louisiana affairs
The report was adopted by 40 yeas, Is nays -.
Mitchell introduced resolution to investigate the
Oregon matter in which E. A. Cronin, presiden-
tial elector was deputy postmaster at the time of
his election, but who, nevertheless appointed two
electors who cast their votes for Hayes and Wheel
err. Ordered printed and to lie on the table. Howe
introduced bill making it a felony for any per-
cast ballot for President Vice-President,
either directly or indirectly, without having been
duly and lawfully appointed. The penalty is a fine
not less than $40, 600 and imprisonment not less
than 10 years. The bill referred.
THURSDAY, December Atkins,
member of the appropriation committee, reported
the pension appropriation bill, and said he would
cali it up to- morrow The bill appropriates $685.
353, 600 McCreary, of Iowa, offered resolution
to appoint committee of FIVE from the House to
act conformity with FIVE from the Senate for the
purpose of reforming the present system of can
vassing electoral votes. The matter, however, was
finally referred to the House judiciary committee
of which McCreary is chairman The speaker APP
Pointed Beebe on the Louisiana committee instead
| OF Lynde, excused. A resolution adopted
calling on the president for information in regard
70 the removal OF Sioux Indians to the Indian Ter
ritory.