The Morning herald., 1876-03-24
gy the American Press ASSOCIATION.
WARRINGTON, D. c., March %.


WARRINGTON, D. c., March %.
Mr.. Dawes presented petition asking an
amendment to the Constitution to prevent
the use of alcoholic liquors.
Mr.. Jones, of Florida, by request intro
duced bill to prohibit the transport alton
ofliquid nitro glycerine, and to regulate the
transportation of dynamite. Deferred to
the Committee on Commerce.
Unfinished business being bill to provide
for and regulate the counting of the cleo
.toral vote, and the decision OF questions
arising thereon was then proceeded with.
Mr.. Merrimon moved an amendment that
in case of two sets OF electoral votes, that
the vote should be counted, which is cert,-
fed to by the State authorities.
Mr.. Merrimon then made an elaborate
disuuisition on the electoral system. and
exercise any control over the organization
Of the college which pertained entirely to
the States themselves. When the vote was
to be counted then the jurisdiction of Con-
gress began.
Mr.. Merrimon continuing, said he held
that II was not designed by the Constitution,
aud would not be wise to put exclusive ju-
risdiction over the counting of the electoral
vote in the hands ofany one man. Congress
has been charged with the duty Of counting
of the electoral vote, and it cannot delegate
this power to any one man or set OF men.
He dissented entirely from the views of
Mr.. Stevenson as to the power of the Presi-
dent of the Senate over the electoral vote
Mr.. Marion pointed out what he regarded
as defect In Mr.. Merriman's amend
mcnt. It prescribed that certain section
should be counted. The return authenti-
Gated by the regular State Government
whereas it might occur, the returns thus
certified to, were not in accordance and
with the laws of the State. The amend
ment of Mr.. Merriman was then rejected.
The question was then taken as the amend
ment of Randolph and 1t was rejected.
Mr.. Wright moved to strike out the
concluding sentence as follows: "and any
other question pertinent to the object for
which the two Houses are assembled may
be submitted and determined in like man
ner." Agreed to without objection.
Mr.. Wright moved the amendment to the
fourth section providing that the case at
recess being ordered it shall apply only to
the House ordering said recess. Adopted
Mr.. Thurman moved to strike from the
third section the words cor for the decision
of any other question pertinent thereto"
Mr.. Thurman moved to amend by providing
in the first section that two letters shall be
appointed on the part of each House.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Thurman moved that in counting the
electoral vote the vote of the states shall be
opened and counted in alphabetical order
agreed to. On the suggestion Of Mr.. Mer-
riman several verbal amendments were
made. The bill having been considered by
the Committee of the Whole, was reported
to the Senate, when the amendments were
concurree in. Pending the action in the
passage of the bill, Mr.. Harlan, by unan-
imous consent, called up the House annual
post route bill, and the Senate went into
executive session, and afterwards adjourn
ed.
Mr.. Seeley moved to reconsider the vote
by which the House refused to concur in
the Senate amendment to the Red Cloud
agency, the bill by which the amount was
increased from 100000 to $15O,OOO. He
said $500 was the lowast estimate the
Indian Bureau Department could make for
the support of these Indians to July 1st.
Mr.. Atkins, who reported the bill, said
the committee could gain but little infor-
nation from the Indian Bureau, but from
information they had obtained, it appeared
$50, 900 would be ample to feed the Indians
at this reservation. They had, however,
consented to make the amount 100000 at
the suggestion of a Republican member OF
the committee.
Mr.. Banks presented a memorial Of .hc
Women's Christian Temperance Union OF
Massachusetts, praying for restrictions OF
the manufacture of Intoxicating drinks tC
ror1,iro1 fcr p,,ra nj, o,,l
chemical purposes and the arts. Referred
Mr.. Thompson, from the same committee
submitted report in the case Of jesse
Finley vs.. j. 7. Wells, claimants to sea-
as member from Florida, according the sea
to Findley, the contestant.
Mr.. Townsend submitted minority re
port declaring Walls entitled to the seat.
Mr.. Harris gave notice he would call VI
claims at an early day.
The House in the morning hour proceeded
to the consideration of the bill reported
from the committee.
Mr.. Dibrell, from the Committee on pub
lie Expenditures, reported bill to reduce
the expense of collecting customs. Tn,
bill provides that the salaries paid at an,
port of entry shall not exceed the tota
amount of customs collected. Ordered t.
be printed and recommitted.
Mr.. Boone, from the Committee on In
dian Affairs, reported a bill preventing tn
cutting Of timber On any Indian reserva
tion.
Mr.. Hardenberg, from the COMMITTEE OF
Military Affairs, reported bill to re .enac
and continue in force the act of June 23
1870, authorizing the settling of accounts o
officers. Referred to the Committee of tn
Whole.
Mr.. Williams, from the same committee
reported bill to authorize the commits
stoned officers ofthe army to make deposit
nnder the act Of Marcy 10, 1872. Adopted
Mr.. Banning, from the same committee
reported substitute for te bill to regulat
the pay and allowance of the army officers
Pending its consideration the morning houl