The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-09
JOINT RULES DISCUSSED.


bivcrsity of Opiniou Among Influential
Mcn-A Vote that shows the ~cnHte'-
Animus-The House Talking Politics A
Proposed Amendment to the Consultation.
WASHINGTON, Dec Sin the Senate Mr..
ingalls, submitted resolution requesting the
Secretary OF the Interior to report to the Senate
linn diately what efforts nave been made to
remove the Sioux Indians from their treaty
reservation to the Indian Territory Agreed to.
Mr.. Mitchell Otcp., oregon called up for refer
ence the resolution submitted by him yesterday
directing the Committee on Privileges aud Elec-
tions to Investigate the facts attending the APP
pointment Of L. A. Ctonin rs a Presidential
elector by the Governor u OREGON. Referred to
the Committee on PRIVILEGES and Elections.
Mr.. Morton Olep.. IndJ moved that COM
nittee OF three additional members to the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections be appointed
TO aid In discharging the duties OF the invost-
cation into the recent elections In Mississippi
Sou Carolina Alabama, Georgia. Florida, and
Louisiana Agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds Rep, VT moved to take up the
Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution OF the United states in regard to
the count Of the electoral vote by the supreme
Court.
Mr.. Merrimon Dem, ". c. objected, and read
The twenty-nrst Joint rule providing that the
unfinished business left over from one session
ihnll not be taken up for action until after the
lapse OF six days OF the beginning Of the subse-
uuent session He made the point Of order that
under that rule the joint resolution could not
be considered now.
The Choir lMr. Ferry, Rep) overruled the point
Of order aud announced the JOINT rules were not
In force Decides, this subject was covered 10y
Senate Rule 81 which was directed toe re d.
MIR. Metnmun appealed from the decision nf
the Chair. ana sid he had no OBJ tctlnn 10 TAX
lug uu this ilut resolution II II could be done
properly, nut # the tNenty first int tuio was
In force. the resolution could be taken ID
He then argued that the Joint rules were in
force. aud IL was not comuetent for the senate
To abolish them without tie concurrence 81 tbs
House. Neither House could withdraw It's as
cent to these rules without the concurrence "
the other. He read from the proceedings OF
Congress of previous sessions to show that tue
lwenty-nrst Joint rule had been frequently en-
the existence Of the Government. hev mad
never been questioned, and nothing has ever
been said about their teadOptiOn until at the
last sesi Ton Of the senate.
MIR: Johnston dem. Na) said. although It was
considered now, ana h d teen AT the | 81 ses-
slon' mt there were 10 JOINT vi IN force he
Tore The Senate aud House. they acted under
them every day. he business Of Congress
could not 20 on without them. lie ireued That
there were various committees appointed under
the joint rules, among them Committees on En-
rolled Bills, Committees ON the Library and
Others.
MIR. sargent d,ep.. Cal) sail the list Of commit
tees was reported the otier dtv. Ii was ACCOM-
panied by resolutions authorizing the commit
tees on the Library. on Puoiic buildings aud
GrounIs, Printing, md Enrolled Bile to act con-
currently with thuse committees uf the House.
Ihis showed that he Senate did not recognize
The JOINT rules under which these committees
might act.
MT. Davis Dem, W. Va.) said when The com.
mittees were reported he asked OF the Sen tor
from Iowa tMr. Wright. who reported them, As
10 whether there was any change IN the usual
custom Of appointing committees, ana Was as
Iured by that senator that there was no change.
Now IL appeared that there was change for the
purpose OF avoiding the joint rules
Mr.. wright Otep. loNa sid some one
talking 10 him when the senator from West Nir-
glnla tNr. DAVIS made tue Inquiry. lie under
stood him t. ask II there any great change
in the ORGANIZATION Of committees, and he re-
Piled IN the negative.
Mr.. Morton Utep., lnd.) snid II was perfectly
PLAIN 70 Nun that there were no lOint rue. as
the senate hdu WITHDRAWN from them. anu IL
had perfect right to do 50. Ia his opinion the
enllrc purpose IN tn4iut1iuinc that tue iOlnt
rules were binding VS. - maintain the twenty
Electoral vote. which had been condemned a
wicked everywhere.
Mr. Merrimon said lie woIld not tie
rharitabe as to say that the Republican side
desired to get rid OF IL for PURPOSE
Mr. lilyafd Dem. Dell said lac must adhere
10 the position heretofore taken by him, 70 the
tnect that tue JOINT rules of the House nd the
Senate were much within their control a.
pther rules. ana might be terminated - each
House at lie discretion.
After further debate by Mes-r-. Nerrimon,
Eimunds, ma others, the question reiug un ths
appeal Of MIR. Meirimou from the decision oil the
chair, tue decision " : sustained ty-,eas. 81;
nays, 4-the nays being A!essrs. Max y. Meril-
mon, Nhyte, anu Nithers. Mr. Cameron. who
would nave voted yes pured VITA tir. sails curry,
VINO would have voted in the negative.