The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-18
Forty Fourth Congress -First Session

WARRINGTON, reD. IL.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee ON Educa-
ton, reported with amendments the Senate bill
to establish an educational fund and appropri-
ating portion of the proceeds of public lands
to public education, and to provide for the more
complete endowment and support of the Ma
tioual College for the advancement of scientific
and industrial education. Placed on the calen-
dar.
Mr.. Howe of Wis, presented a petition
which he said purported to be signed by citi-
zens of Wisconsin, asking the passage of a law
requiring the Treasurer of the United States to
pay to every man, woman and child in the
country, without distinction on account of race,
color, or previous condition of servitude, the
sum of $40 week, such sum to be paid every
SATURDAY. night at the postoffice nearest the res
idence of such persons. He said there was no
Limitation as to time, but to prevent any undue
expansion of the currency the petitioners
thought no more than ST. 100000 should be
issued in any one year. He was not entirely
certain that this was wise measure. Laugh
teri Referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Spencer of Ala. said be was not in his
seat yesterday when the Senator from Missis-
sippi (Alcorn) made his personal explanation.
He (Spencer) desired to state there was no
truth whatever in the article from the Chicago
Times which the Senator had read. He had
never called upon the Chief Justice in regard
to the decision upon the enforcement act or
any other decision. In fact he never called up
on the Chief Justice at ALL
Mr.. Wright introduced bill to reduce the
interest upon the public debt, provide for safe
and elastic currency, for the speedy apprecia.
ton of value of treasury notes and national
bank notes to that of coin, and guard against
panic and initiation of bank credits. Referred
to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Wright said he introduced the bill by re-
quest, and without committing himself to the
provisions thereof.
Mr.. Hamin presented joint resolution of
the Legislature of Maine, asking the passage
of an act to prohibit the exaction of compnl-
sorry piotage. Referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Bills were introduced and referred as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Boutwell,, from the Committee on Revis-
ion OF the Laws, reported adversely on the
House bill to correct an error in the Revised
Statutes of the United States in regard to the
credits to settlers for moneys deposited BY them
for surveys of lands, and it was indefinitely
postponed, He said the committee had under
consideration this error together with others
which would be corrected by general bill.
Mr.. Anthony called up a current resolution
submitted by him yesterday in regard to print
ing the debates of Congress in the Congress
ional Record. He said the purport of the reso-
luton was plain. Whatever might be said of
the printing of the debates, the fact must be
admitted that they were invaluable to the peo-
pie OF the country. 1t was not to be disputed
that there was great deal of irrelevant mat
ter oftentimes introduced into the discussions
though it was much better to have a question
debated too much than not have it debated at
all IL was from hasty and inconsiderate legis-
lation that the country has most to fear. He
was OF the opinion that the Congressional
Record should be maintained. 1t was worth
oil it cost He referred to the scantiIy re-
ported debates of the convention which framed
the constitution, and said if they had been as
fully reported as the debates of the present
time, they would be of incalculable value in
furnishing the views of our forefathers. The
Congressional Record should speak like cred
liable witness, and tell the truth. the whole
truth and nothing but the truth. 1t should re-
produce what was said and not what was not
said. Many speeches that never had been de-
hvered in Congress had been put in the Record
and statements put into them which would
never have been allowed to pass unchallenged
had they been made in Congress. He spoke of
several instances where speeches had been
withheld entirely and not given to the Globe
for publication. when the debates were pub
lished by that journal. Congress now stood in
the place of the publishers of the Globe, hav-
ing taken unto itself the publication Of the
debates. In his opinion it would be better to
publish the speeches inst as they were deliv.
cred without any connection except in the form
OF notes, but he was not prepared to urge such
stringent rule now. In one instance in the
other house OF Congress, some years ago, a
member said he had prepared some remarks on
bellgerent rights of Cuba, but he did not wish
to trouble the House by reading them, and
leave was granted to have his remarks printed
in the Globe where they appeared. Instead of
being about Cuba they were shameful attack
on au honored member of the Senate not long
since passed to his final account The matter
was noticed by the House and it was ordered
that his remarks be excluded frorl the official
edition OF the Globe though they had already
appeared in the regular daily edition,
N sir hn n1adf hat fha 4
the concurrent resolution was to make the Con-
gressional Record what it purported to be,
faithful record of what took place in Congress
He moved that the resolution be referred to
the Committee on Printing. So ordered.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
OF the unfinished business, being the report of
the conference committee on dsagreeing votes
OF the the two houses on the Joint resolution to
pay the interest on the 365 District of Column
bia bends.
After discussion motion of Mr.. Sherman
to recommit was agreed to. Yeas 81. nays o.
sales OF timber lands in California, Oregon and
the territories of the United States, which was
slightly amended. Without final action on the
bill the Senate adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
The House opened without any Speaker. Mr..
Kerr being absent, and having omitted to ap.
point aSpeaker protein. The duty of electing
House. and as soon as the chaplain concluded
prayers the clerk announced that this was the
first business in order.
Mr.. Randall offered resolution declaring
MIR. Cox be appointed Speaker pro tenn. which
MIR Ciymer of Pa, moved to amend BY substi-
tuting the name of Mr.. Blackburn of KY. In a
few words Mr. Blackburn declined the compl
ment and Mr. Clymer withdrew his amend
ment. The original resolution was adopted
ana MT Cox took the chair
AFTER taking the chair Mr. Cox thanked the
House and SAID his being called there was not a
cause OF oongratulaton either to the House OF
to rrnew his position. '1 w "''o
A long debate followed, on wbetber the
Speaker pro TEN should take new oath of of.
flee, some contending it was essential and 9th.
ers holding that the oath of membersbin cow cow
cred it. A vote on administering the oath was
taken resulting in 62 yeas 124 nays
The House then took up the bill for the re-
organization of the Judiciary COMMITTEES.
After discussion Mr.. Sayler of Ohio moved to
lay the bill on the table, which was rejected,
II@v,o al n1f