The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-29
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session
SENATE.


Mr. Edmunds called up the bill relieving S.
L Gholson of Miss. of political disabilities
Mr.. Cameron moved to amend by adding the
name of Joseph Johnston of Ga.
Mr. Whyte moved to add the name of w. I'll.
Jenifer of Md
Mr. Edmunds said that the Judiciary Com
mttee had not reached these names on the list
of applicants for relieffrom disabilities, and
when reached they would be reported. The
amendment was then withdrawn and the first
bill passed.
MI. Frelinghuysen called up the Senate bill
10, to amend the 4th section of the act to estab-
lsh judicial courts of the United Stales approx
ed Sept. oath, 1889. Mr.. Frelinghuysen dis.
as the law now stands have no power to en-.
force judgment. This has been shown by two
cases in Louisiana.
Mr.. Logan was surprised to hear such a
measure advocated The power did not exist
in Congress to pass such a law. 1t belonged to
the states, and when you attempt to pass such
a bill you interpose step between the states
and their officials. To say that Congress can
make law to compel state officers to do their
duty was monstrous and dangerous.
The morning hour expiring the bill went
over and the Chair laid before the Senate the
consular and diplomatic bill as the regular
order.
Mr.. Sherman obtained leave to report ad-
versely on bill to correct an error in the en-
rollment; also bill in the nature of substi-
of silver coin.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF
the diplomatic bill, the question recurring on
restoring Italy, which was stricken out by the
House on the yeas and nays. 1t was restored
The next amendment on restoring several
posts which had been stricken out by the
House was taken up.
Mr.. Sargent explained that in all these
amendments the committee were only conform
ing to the existing laws.
Macsrc Sherman and Hanalip uroad tho poo-
essity of conforming to the existing principle
of ENGRAVING new laws upon the appropriation
bill, pending which at 2 o'clock the Senate
went into executive session and at $50 ad
journed.
Mr.. Holman Of Indiana offered a resolution
fixing the compensation of witnesses summon
ed before the House com nittee at two dollars
per day and mileage of five cents. Referred
Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts introduced bill
to permit importation free of duty of books
printed in any foreign language. Referred.
Mr. Goodiu of Kansas offered resolution d.
recting the Judiciary committee to prevent the
use of the O. S. mails in carrying lottery adj
vertisements. Adopted.
A com muucation was received from the at
torney of the district informing the House that
the grand jury had found an indictment against
Halett KllbourD, thearecusant witness iu the
real estate pool investigation, on five counts !;
also communication from Mr. Thompson,
SorgeanG-dG-ArnS, informing tQ6 house tlat
the U. s. marshal for the District of Columbia
had come to him and requested that Hallett
Kilbourn be given into his custody, which he
(Thompson) had refused to do, and asking for
further instructions from the House.
Mr.. New of Indiana defended the action of
the House in incarcerating Kilbourn, and said
that the power of Congress was as great as any
court
The question as to whether the recusant
witness shon)d be re.surrendered to the judicial
authorities of the District of Columbia, to be
tried under the Indictment found against him
for refusing to testify, was discussed at coDsid-
cradle length.
lect committee on the real estate pool, offered
resolution ordering the Sergeant-at Arms to
retain the custody of Kibourn and not deliv-
er him until further order of the House.
Mr.. Hurlbut of Illinois offered as substi-
tute resolution directing the Sergeant-at- Arms
to deliver Kilbourn to the marshal of the dis
trict for trial for misdemeanor
After further discussion the substitute was
rejected, yeas 81 i, nays 1872, and Glovers resolu-
tion was adopted.
Mr.. Atkins of Tennessee, from the conference
committee on the bill to supply the deficiency
in the Red Cloud Sioux agency, made report
that the House concur in the Senate amend
ment increasing the amount from 300, 900 to
$150,000. The report was agreed to.
The House then took up the bill reported
from the Committee on Commerce to amend
the law fol the regulation of steam vessels and
an explanation of the bill was made by Mr..
Reagan of Texas.
The bill went over till Saturday next and the
House at $50 o'clock adjourned, the evening
session being dispensed with on account of the
inclemency of the weather.
For the first time since his recent illness
Fernando Wood took part in the proceedings of
the House.