The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-22
CONG REss.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1876.
Revolutions and Bills.
HOUSE.

Mf. Mo0uWOrtA corrected the Journh
Of yesterday, in which he is reported a
not having voted on Atkins bill for tn
repeal Of the resumption act, and statet
that he voted in favor OF the bill.
Mr.. Bright offered resolution in
structing the Committee on Expenditure
in the Treasury Department 10 inquir,
into the management and disposition O
captured and abandoned property
Adopted.
Mr.. Jones, OF Kentucky, from the Com
mittee on Railroads, reported bill tt
authorize the Washington, Cincinnati anC
st. Louis Railroad TO construct narrow
gauge railroad from tide water TO St
Louis and Chicago. Recommitted.
Mr.. Reagan, from the Committee or
Commerce, reported q bill to amend the
law for the regulation OF commerce and
navigation and for the regulation o.
steam vessels, which was made the special
order for Tuesday. .
The Speaker then called committees for
reports, I- -.
AFRAID OF THE RECORD.
Mr.. Lynde, from the Judiciary Com.
mittee, reported adversely on. the bill
providing for the printing Of the speeches
and remarks OF members Of Congress and
Senator's in the language in which they
are delivered. Tabled.
ELECTION FUNDS.
Mr.. Caulfeld from the same committee
reported a bill making il misdemcanor
for any person in the employ Of the
United States TO solicit or contribute funds
for election purposes,or 10 canvass in any
State, county or district in the United
States.
Mr.. Hoar offered an amendment pro-
viding that the bill should not be con-
strued to prevent voluntary contributions
for the purpose Of circulating documents,
or OF delivering public addresses on ques-
tions OF public interest.
Mr.. Caultield said that il was the OBJ
jcct OF the Judiciary Committee in re-
porting the bill to cut off all apologies
and excuses and subterfuges OF every
character.
Mr.. Blainc-Does the language Of the
bill include within its provisions Sena-
tors and members OF Congress
Mr.. Canlfeld-I don't consider that il
does, because they arc not officers OF the
Government.
Mr.. Blaine-Why not include them
Mr.. Cauliield-If the gentleman wishes
to include them he may offer an amend.
ment for the purpose.
Mr.. Blaine-I will certainly do so If
am permitted, because my observations
have been, and / think the testimony Of
the country will be, that there have been
more
CORRUPTION FUNDS
contributed In campaigns for Congress
both by successful and defeated candi-
dates, than by generation OF Govern.
ment clerks, whom this bill aims at. If
you attempt to cut of So or $40 contribu-
lions, which the Lord knows ought to be
saved to these poor clerks, and allow n
candidate for Congress 10 pay five, ten
twenty, or
THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS,
as | have heard Of being done, then it
seems to me the bill is a mere pretense,
and does not strike at the evil at all. l
move to insert Senators and Represent.
atives in Congress"
Mr.. Cauliicld-I refuse to yield any
further.
The Speakcr-Does the gentleman from
Illinois yield for the amendment?
Mr.. Cauliield-No, can not.
Mr.. Blaine-Thc gentleman said he
would yield.
Mr.. Caulticid-WCll, l withdraw what
l said.
Mr.. Blainc-Then the gentleman de-
clines to have the Senators and Represen-
tativcs brought under the same rule as
he wishes applied 10 the department
clerks. ..
Mr.. CaulGeld-Other members Of the
judiciary Committee have reports TO
make and wish to give them a chance
to do so, but in reply to what the gentle
man from Maine has said must say that
whatever his experience may have been
on the subject OF contributions by the
Of Congress and frauds commit
ted by them, l know nothing about them,
he may speak from experience, have
none on the subject. .Is 's'
Mr.. Blaine-1 bave run for Congress
seven times and have never
CONTRIBUTED A POSTAGE STAMP
for any improper purpose whatever, but
can indicate gentlemen who have run
for Congress, aud who have spent $50, 900
in elections, | wish 10 have test made
in this case,and i now move 10 reconrides
the vote by which the main question was
ordered, and II will be for us to say on
yeas and nays whether it will include the
Senators and members in this bill,
A member-And candidates for Con-
gress.
Mr.. Blaine-No that is too indefinite.
The yeas and nays were ordered on a
motion to reconsider.
Mr.. Caulfield offered to admit the
amendment but the offer was received
with triumphant shouts o. Irregular or
der" "regular ORDER" from the Republi-
can side OF the House, The vote was
reconsidered-ycas 2O5 nays4.
A QUESTION OF rRlVILEGE.
Without proceeding further on the sub
iect Mr.. New rose to n question Of priv
ilege and stated that himself, Glover and
Smith of Pennsylvania, three Of the
members OF the select committee on the
real estate pool, had been .subpGnaed to
appear to-day before the Grand Jury Of
the District, and they desired to submit
tile matter for instruction by the House.
Mr.. Tucker offered resolution au-
tl,orizing New, Glover and Smith to ap-
pear and testify under such summons.
Agreed to.
DLAINE's AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Blaine then offered his proposed
amendment to the bill prohibiting cleo
ton contributions from government
clerks. The amendment is TO include
Senators, Representatives and delegates
in Congress, and to add the words, "and
the contribution Of money or other val
liable thing, as herein prohibited, by any
Senator, Representative or delegate in
Congress while he was a candidate Tor
Congress shall, in addition to the penal
ties herein prescribed,
OPERATE AS A DISQUALIFICATION
to his holding his seat"
Amendments were also offered by Rea-
gon, Hewitt, OF Alabama, and Brown, Of
Kentucky, which are 10 be considered
when the bill next comes up.