The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-18

the act prohibiting the payment OF oeots
due by the United States before the war,
except on proof of loyalty.
By Mr. O'Brien, proposing the follow
ing
Amendment to the Constitution.
SECTION /. No State shall make any
law respecting an establishment Of re-
ligion or prohibiting free thinking, and
no minister or preacher Of the gospel, or
of any religious creed or denomination,
shall hold any Office or trust or emolu-
ment under the United Stotes, or under
any State, or shall any religious test be
required as qualification for any office
or public trust in any State or under the
United States
Section 2. No money received by
taxation in any state for the support of
the public schools or derived from any
public fund therefor, nor any public
lands devoted thereto shall ever
be under the control OF any religious
sect, nor shall any money so raised, nor
lands so devoted be divided between
religious sects or denominations; nor
shall any minister or preacher of the
Gospel or OF any religious society or de-
nomination hold Office In connection
with the schools in the state, nor be
eligible to any position of trust or emolu-
ment in any State or under the
United States shall be support
ed in the whole or in part from any pub
lie fund.
Mr.. OBrien said he would offer an
amendment to 10 the proposition.
The Amnesty Bill.
Mr.. White moved TO suspend the rules
and bring the House to II vote on the
amnesty bill introduced by him, and from
the benefits of which Jefferson Davis is
excluded. and also to vote on the amend
ment striking out that exception.
Mr.. Randall made point of order that
the motion could not be put IN that form.
The question was then. discussed by
Messrs Garfield, Hale and Banks against
the point made by Mr.. Randall, and by
Messrs. Wood and Randall in support
of it. After the discussion the decision Of
the Speaker was that the point of order
was over-ruledand he holds the motion in
order.
Mr.. White asked unanimous consent
TO make statement before the vote was
taken, but objections were made.
The House them proceeded TO vote on
the motion to suspend the rules, and the
motion was lost, two-thirds not voting In
the affirmative.
A large number of Democrats voted
with the Republicans in favor OF the
motion, but the more prominent OF them
voted against 1t.
Mr.. Holman moved to suspend the
rules and adopt the resolution declaring
it unwise and inexpedient at this time
that specific and arbitrary Pc
riod should be prescribed by law
at which legal tender notes of
the United States should be paid in coin
by the Secretary of Treasury, and that
therefore the act entitled: "An act to
provide tor the resumption of specie
payments" approved January IA, 1875,
ought to be repealed, and instructing the
Committee on Banking and Currency, at
as early period as practicable, to report
to the House bill for that purpose.
The rules were not suspended; yeas
ll2, nays 1853.
Amendment 10 the General ApprO'
priatiOn hill.
Mr.. Cox from the Committee on Rules
reported back the proposition introduced
some weeks since by Mr.. Holman to
amend the rule governing the offering
of amendments TO general appropriation
bills so MS to make the
rule read. mo appropriations
shall be reported IN such general appro-
priation bill, or being in order as an
amendment thereto, for any expenditure
not previously authorized by law, except
in the continuation of appropriations for
such public works and offsets as are
already in progress; nor shall any provi-
sion in any such bill or amendment
changing the existing law be IN order,
except such as, being germaino to the
subiec, matter of the bills, shall retrench
expenditure.
4 long discussion ensued on the pro.
posed change, which was opposed on the
Republican side by Msssrs. Banks, Gar
field. Hale and Kassan on the plea that
it would enable the Committee on Appro-
priatisns TO control practically all de-
partmepts of the Government; and was
defended on the Democratic side by
Messrs. Cox and Randall on the plea that
il was in the interest Of economy that 1t
only be placed Ms a proposition TO reduce
expenses of the same footing as propo-
stion 70 increase, and that il gave no ad-
ditional power to the Committee on Ap-
propristions inasmuch as its action could
be only recommendatory. In course OF
debate Mr.. Randall, having spoken OF
the desire of the Committee on Appro-
priations to push on into the way oi
retrenchment, was told by Mr.
Banks that We the Republicans.
will push you in it even TO the extent oI
cutting down the salaries Of the mem
bcrs, 70 which Mr.. Randall said 'ths'
we (the Democrsts) will come 10 that s'
the proper time"
The new rule was adopted. Yeas l56
nsvs lO2. Nearly party vote.
After some remarks by Mr.. Harden
borg IN fhVOr OI tue UliIi INC NN'"'H'sso'
rose without action.
Ma. Morrison offered resolution call
ing on the President for copies Of al
correspondence with Spain in reference
to the island Of Cuba. Adopted.
Mr.. Wood offered resolution 10
structiag the Committee on Ways anc
Means 10 Inquire whether the lease from
the United States states 70 Alaska com
merc,al company Of right 70 take fur ..oi
seals in Alaska was made and executed
in pursuance Of law and for the best sd
vantage Of the United States; alsc
whether the interests Of the L nited State
have been properly protected, and
whether the Alaskx Commercial Com
psny has complied with is terms anc
condI,sons. Adopted
Mr.. Wood also offered . resolution in
structing the Committee on Military
Affairs 70 inquire whether, since the clos
of the rebellion, any army officer on ih'
active list has held or exercised the func
ton. Of civil officer either in the dipio
ms.ic or consular service, or carried Of
auy nego,istions or arrangements with