The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-08
Forty Fourth C0ngress-First Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, D. c

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July z,
Mr.. Window introduced bill extending
and continuing for ten days the act to provide
temporarily for the expenditure of government
appropriations.
During the morning hour the conference re-
port on the legislative appropriation bill was
discussed and at IL o'clock, when the impeach-
ment trial was to be resumed, on motion of
Mr. Edmunds, it was ordered that further pro-
ceedngs in the trial be suspended for the pres
emit in order that the conference report be re-
considered.
In the debate Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, who
made the report from the conference on legis-
lative bill, said the Senate committee had been
disposed to meet every honest disposition of the
House to retrench expenditures. The House
sent to the Senate the appropriation bill with
certain amendments, the first of which related
to the compensation of these in the civil SER
vice and second to the reduction of the numeri-
cal force of that service. Those were the two
fundamental propositions upon which disagree
ment took place. The bill came from the
House at the end of six months and at the end
of these six months it was expected the Senate
would pass it as it was, containing PROPOSE
ton changing the law of the land. He argued
that the only proper function of the committee
was to consider first what the service required
and then provide for it. The Senate approved
of the action of the committee on appropriation
and declared that the province of the commit
tee was not to change the law but to make APP
preparation in accordance with it, Now the
Senate was met with the statement that if the
Senate did not agree with the amendments
that the House would put its fat, its judgment
against the law. 1t would be said that the
Senate gathered to itself all that omnipotence
which is peculiar to the English House of Com
mons, making the House of Commons the
British parliament. A conference committee
had come to mean the will of one House of Con-
gress and only one. On such ground the con-
ference was impracticable because there could
be but one side to the question. As long as
the House OF Representatives insisted only, the
Senate must consent to conference, but when
the House got SO far as to adhere it would be
revolution; a defiance of law and that means
revolution,
Mr.. Morrill, then reviewed the action of for
mer conference committees on this bill and
had its right to the compensation fixed for it
BY law. The Senate conferences had met the
House half way. If any more could be done
consistent with the integrity of the Senate he
would be glad if some one here or elsewhere
would proclaim it. He had done the utmost in
his power to conciliate the the Houses and he
conceded everything possible to bring about
such action. In further explanation he said
the committee ascertained that he civil SER
vice could be reduced 300 clerks, but the House
committee demanded a reduction OF 1900, and
the Senate to meet the House half way, agreed
to 600, but this was absolutely rejected by the
House committee.
Mr.. Morton addressed the Senate claiming
that the attitude of the House was revolution
airy and multiplying.
Mr.. Thurman claimed that there was neither
notification nor dictation in the action of the
House. The House had perfect right to in
sert legislation in an appropriation bill.
Mr.. Logan replied characterizing Mr.. Thur
mans statement as revolutionary and nulllfy-
ing:
The question was further discussed by Ker-
nan and Bogy and Thurman.
Mr. Logan gave motive 4hat he would call up
the House bill for equalization of bountes to-
morrow.
Mr.. Whyte called up the Senate bill to re-
move political disabilities of Gen. G. T. Beau
regard. Passed.
Mr. ingalls, submitted a resolution calling
upon the President for information in regard
Agreed to.
Mr.. Paddock introduced joint resolution
authorizing the President to accept the services
of volunteers to operate against the Indians.
Laid over.
The motion of Mr.. Morrill, to grant a new
conference committee, asked for by the House,
was agreed to and the Chair appointed Messrs
Windem, Allison and Bayard as members on
the part of the Senate.
The Senate insisted upon its amendments to
the sundry civil appropriation bill and agreed
to the conference committee asked for by the
House.
The Chair appointed as members of the com
mlttee Messrs Window, Morton and Thur
man.
The Senat, at - o'clock resumed the con-
sideration of the articles of impeachment
against W. w. Belknap, and Mr.. Carpenter
cross-examined Gen. Mcdonald. So far as wit
ness knew the Secretary he had been faithful
and energetic.
Richard King, assistant cashier of the Ma.
tional Bank of Commerce of New York, said
Caleb p Marsh kept an account at that bank.
Witness produced several certificates Of deposit
endorsed payable to the order of W. w. Bel:
KNAPP, and by him made payable to the order OF
c. f. Emery" Several other bank officers
were examined, their testimonysshOwing money
transactions between Marsh and Belknap.
Charles f. Emery of Morva, H., testified he |
was banker and received a certificate of de- |
post from W. w. Balknap to be invested in |
real estate mortgages. Witness invested it for |
three years. In December 21st, 1871, when it |
matured it was renewed for three years more
by the party who borrowed the money. At |
second investment the note was assigned to |