The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-18
BY Telegraph
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT
70 THE DAILY lNTELLlGEN0ER
CONGRESS.
HOUSE
WAsHIN0roN, Decenber ID.

WASh1NuLVNI DeSeLaDel AV'
Mr.. Schlecher's amendment to the
Postofice Appropriation bill, increasing
the appropriation for the transportation
OF the mails on the star routes and steam
boats, was agreed to. Yeas 80, nays GO.
The bill was then passed without d.
vision.
The Speaker laid before the House the
telegram received by him from Mr.. Nor.
rison, Chairman OF the Louisiana Select
Committee, and that to Mr.. Morrison
from Mr.. Orton, President OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company, refusing to
produce the originals Of the telegraphic
dispatches. ~ IN
The dispatches having been read Mr.,
Wood, Of New York, rose to offer u reso.
luton, promising it by expressions Of his
belief that the House would not be slow
10 vindica,e its rights and privileges.
Mr.. Hoar made point OF order that
the question was not properly before the
House, as the report Of the committee
could not be made 10 the House by tele'
graph.
The Speaker overruled the point OF
order, and ruled that Il WAS question ot
privilege and was properly before the
House.
The resolution was then read as fol-
lows .y...
Resolved, That the Communication pre-
sented by the Speaker from the Hon. Wm.
Z. Morrison, Chairman Of the select
committee, appointed to investigate GER
matters relating to the late election in
Louisiana, be referred to the Judiciary
Committee, with instructions to report
at the earliest practicable moment, what
action the House should take in the
premises to enforce Its righttul author
ity.
Mr.. Kerr again pressed the point OF
order made by Mr.. Hoar, but the speaker
adhered to his ruling and Mr.. Hoar re-
marked, that, on reflection 1t seemed 10
him that the position OF the Chsir was
entirely correct. ~
The resolution was then passed without
discussion or division.
The special order was then taken up,
and elogies on the late Speaker Kerr were
dlivered.
The first Of the orations was made by
Hamilton, Of Indiana, who spoke Of Kerr
Us a man who could have led a forlorn
hope or breasted the popular opinion and
gone to the stake martyr to his princi-
ples, and also as one who stood immaculate
tall poplar in the moral desert OF the
age. He saw that when the final sum
mons came the response was not merely
the adsum but also the Semper pardtts oil
the man who felt that his life had been
unspo!ted.
The next speech was made by Kelly, Of
Pa, who characterized Kerr as whole
hearted and courageous man who never
practiced but loathed the arts OF the
demagogue.
Other speeches were made by Ray
mond, Monroe, Holman, Burchard, Of ILL.,,
and Cox.
Mr.. Cox stated that when by Kerr's
death bed, he asked him whether he was
ready to meet tho terrors OF death, and
the answer was, "death had no terrors
for him." He believed, Cox said, that a
Just life on earth would give him his re-
ward.
The speakers who followed Cox were
Messrs. Clymer, Mccrary, Atkins, Here
ford, Knott, Vance, Of Ohio and Carr.
Mr.. Kerr's successor, who offered the
resolution expressive Of profound sorrow
OF the House and directing the Speakers
chair to be kept draped in mourning dur.
ing the balance Of this Congress, and the
usual badge Of mourning to be worn by
the members and officers Of the House.
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted and the House adjourned.