The Republican journal., 1877-12-20
Breakers Ahead"

there was movement on the Republican
side lor an adjournment, and an opposi-
tua to if on the Democratic side, growing
ont ot desire to have reported and acted
on. to-day, a resolution looking to a gen
erai investigation of the Departments.
The yeas and nays were carried on a
motion TO adjourn. and it was voted down
by strict party division.
The business on the Speakers table
having been resumed and disposed OF,
Mr.. W NOOd, Chairman of the Committee
on Ways and Means, sent to the Clerks
desk a resolution on which he moved the
previous question. AlesSrs Butler of
Massachusetts,. Hale of Maine and other
Republican members immediately rose
" make points of order that the Com
mittee on Ways and Means had no right
to report at any time. The Speaker de-
cided that under the rule the Committee
on Ways and Means could report at any
time for commitment.
Mr. Conger moved to go into Commit
lee OF the Whole on the private calendar
The Speaker entertained Mr. Congers
motion as one having precedence on Fri
days
Nh Wood insisted on having his reso-
diSputation the Speaker directed it read
1t lnstructs the several Committees hav-
inc in charge matters relating to Indians
affairs naval affairs military affairs, Post
Offices. public lands. etc, TO inquire into
any errors, abuse or frauds in the admin
lStratiOn of the laws affecting such branch.
,S ot the public service, with power to
send for persons and papers and sit dur
M The recess, etc.
Nh Garfield Of Ohio made a point of
order that the Committee on Ways and
Means has no right to report even for com
mltment, except on matters relating to
revenue.
The Speaker overruled the point, par
ticularly as the resolution did propose to
inquire into frauds committed on the rev
cuuc.
Mr. Hale of Maine suggested that the
clause for sending for persons and papers
hr omitted, and then there would be no
objection to the resolution.
Mr.. Morrison of Illinos-There would
be nothing left.
Mr. Garfield remarked that there would
have been perfect unanimity in favor Of
reporting the resolution if that clause had
been omitted.
Mr.. Wood To omit that part of the
resolution would render it entirely in
operative 50 far as the coming three or
four weeks We're concerned. 1t would act
a, an entire veto of the whole purpose
Mr.. Hale said that there was no objec-
ION to the Committees going on under
their ordinary powers and making inves-
legations, but he did object to giving them
the extraordinary powers proposed If
the Committees of the House were to start
out with propositions to nose around and
harass the Administration it might as
we'll be understood at once.
Mr.. Yates What is the other side of
The House afraid of,
Mr.. Townsend of New York-We are
afraid The result of your Investigations
may be to elect a Republican President
in loS0. Just as Your Investigations last
Congress resulted in electing a Demo-
rrat President in 1876.
MIR. Hale do not object to the most
thorough and sweeping Investigations by
these Committees with their ordinary
power but the experience of last Con-
-res> as to the effect of giving these ex-
ira powers to Committees, the things they
lid and which they sought to do beyond
shat should have been done. taught me
a lesson; SO viii never consent to Civ
Dag such extraordinary powers to Com
mlttees My opposition to it is not for
stopping fair open, square investigation
not IN the least
Eir. Yates For the same cason that
makes the gentleman afraid of these in
tesugations, desire. and the country
desires, to have them
After long discussion of the points of
order, theYuestion came down first to
Mr. CeHger's motion to go into Commit
Tee of the Whole on the private calender.
Holding that motion in reserve as a strong
backing Tor dilatory motions, the Repub-
Leans at 6 30 commenced tilibustering
iactcS y .th a motion by Mr. Page for an
adjournment, on which the yeas and nays
ere ordered; then a motion by Mr.. Hale
lo reconsider the vote ordering the yeas
and nays; then motion by Mr.. Butler
10 lay the motion to reconsider on the
table. 1t was on this latter motion that
The first vote was taken by yeas and nays.
lhr Republicans, under the lead of But
Ter, declined voting so as to show the alb
ence OF quorum, when, under the rule,
nothing Is in order but a motion for a call
nt the House and a motion to adjourn
Atter several votes were taken by yeas
AMI nays the House, at 20. adjourned.