The Portland daily press., 1876-04-01
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session,
SENATE.

Mr.. Dawes, from the Committee on Claims,
reported faveraby on the bill to reimburse j.
E Seelye, postmas at Great Darlington,
Mass, for postage stamps stolen from his Office
by burglars. Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Anthony Offsredsa joint rule providing
that general appropriation bills shall be con.
fined to appropriations to conform to existing
laws He said he offered this to correct vicious
legislation, which had long been a source of
complaint. Ordered to be printed and referred
to the Committee on Rules.
The Mississippi resolution was then taken
up and Mr.. Bruce spoke He said that in 1873
the Republicans carried Mississippi by 10000
majority. Last fall the Democrats claimed the
state by 10000 majority, a reputed gain of
10000. How came it that such change was
effected and a class of officials elected who mis-
represented the people? He admitted that in
state like New York, where the press was so
potent and the telegraph and other facilities Of
intelligence in such liberal use, that changes
nearly as marvellous sometimes take place, but
in Mississippi it was different. 1t was sparsely
populated IN many places and did not possess
SO many privileges as many other states. The
cOOred people represented nineteen-twentiethS
of the population and were mostly Republican
voters. Then why this change in tue popular
vote? In Yazoo County the Republicans car
ried the election in 1873 by large majority,
while last fall only seven votes were cast for
the Republican ticket, and he had been assured
that some of those were cast by the Democrats
in derision, they saying that the Republicans
ought to have little show. The evidence will
show that in many parts of the state violence
and intimidation were used, and what was
known as the White League we're instrumental
for much of this class of outrage. A noticeable
feature of the outrages and violence was its ap-
plicatlon to coored citizens. The emancpa-
ton proclamation gave four millions of citizens
to the country without homes or franchise.
Mr.. Bruce gave statistics to show the thrift
ness of the colored people and how they had
improved the political privileges that had been
bestowed upon them, and claimed that no
charge could be brought against them for mis-
use of their rights. The state debt was less
than half million dollars and the taxes were
light. The judicial statistics show that there
had been no abuse of privilege there. If they
had misused the power entrusted them there
might be cause of complaint, but even then the
remedy lies in the ballot and not in the shot
people, he said, were opposed to the color
line, but they must be protected and guaran-
teed in the enjoyment of all their privileges
and rights. They ask such an investigation as
will protect them in their rights and enable
them to pursue their avocations in peaceful
and quiet manner.
Mr., Key was glad that the late war was
fought out and was over with. The South was
not wholly to blame in the war. Slavery ex-
listed many years ago and was protected by the
constitution. He spoke highly of the coIored
people and their fidelity to the whites during
the war, and the people of his state were will
ling to protect them and aid them. The South
was poor and weak and wanted peace. 1t was
time 10 forget that there was South or q
North, The war was over and the conquerors
had right to enjoy the results of their victory.
He was willing to admit that the terms granted
by the victors was much more liberal and mag
unanimous than he expected. He was anxious
to have the South acquiesce in the result and
accept the situation. Could not the North he
asked, bear with them and help them to over
come their past difficulties and make this law
of peace and prosperity? He favored the in
vestigation.
The speech throughout was highly conclia-
tory and dspassionate.
The subject was further discussed by Messrs
Christiancy, Merrimon, Frelinghuysen, Herman,
Thurman and Salisbury.
Question was taken on the resolution offered
by Mr.. Christiancy as substitute, and it was
adopted, yeas 90, nays 10.
The amendment of Mr.. Merriinon to the pre-
amble to strike out the words Estate affairs and
members of the legislature" was lost, yeas IS,
nays 20.
The preamble was adopted, yeas 81, nays 10.
The Senate at 6 O'Clock adjourned till Mon
day.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Cox presented memorial from the wo.
men citizens of the United States, asking for a
form of government in the District of Columbia
that will secure women citizens the right to
vote. He asked as matter of grace and favor
tudG tue memOrldl W pIluleu III Cne RECORD.
Mr. Banks remarked that it was LOO years to-
day since the wife of John Adams. member
of the continental Congress, wrote to him (Ad-
ams) to secure in the organization of the gov
eminent the interests and rights of women.
The desire to present the memorial and have it
noticed in this way was because this was the
centennial anniversary of almost the first pre-
sentatlon OF such proposition in this coun-
try.
The memorial was received, referred to the
Committee for the District of Columbia and
ordered printed in the Record
The bill for the separate entry of express
packages contained iu one importation was
passed.
On motion of Mr.. Terry of Virginia, the Sem
ate amendment to the House bill for the sale of
the arsenal and lot at Stonington, Conn.,, was
conCurred in.
Mr.. Morrison, from the Ways and Means
Committee, reported bill to define the tax on
fermented and malt liquors. 1t provide that
nothing contained IN section 1887 Revised Stat.
utes, shall be construed to authorize an assess
ment on the quantity of material used for Dro-
ducipg fermented or malt liquors, and that the
quantity of material used shall not be evidence
for the purpose OF taxation, but that the tax on
all beer, lager beer. ale porter and similar fer
mented liquors shall be paid as provided iI that
section, and not otherwise provided, that the
act shall not apply to cases of fraud.
After some discussion the bill was passed.
The bill to carry into effect the Hawaiin treaty
was made special order for Thursday of next
week.
The Senate bin declaring the 18th of April
next a public holiday in the District of Column
bia, to allow the officials TO witness the unvei-
ing of the statue TO Abraham Lincoln, was
passed.
Mr. Lord of New York, from the Judiciary
Committee, made q report on the action OF the