Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-29
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.

WASHINGTON, January p.
The bill to rahfy the agreement with the Sioux,
Northern Arapahoe and Chepenne Indians was
taken up.
A message was received in the senate at IL. 90
A. NJ, from the house of representatives an
nouncing the passage Of the bill in relation to
counting the electoral vote. by that body.
At 1924 second message was received. an
nouncing that the speaker the house had signed
the enrolled bill in regard TO counting the cleo
toral vote.
1t was then Immediately signed by the president
pro TEN Of the senate and given to the comm ittee
on enrolled bills to be delivered to the president
of the United States.
Adjourned.
House..
The members of the louisiana returning board
were IN the house at noon to be arraigned for con-
tempt, but owing to the absence of republican
representatives at their caucus, they were tenn
porarily Withdrawn.
At 2 20 o'clock the four members of the Louis
lana returning board who had refused to produce
the original returns called for by the Investi-
eating Committee at New Orleans, were prese Mt
ed at the bar of the House, in custody Of the Ser
geant alarms. The Speaker put the formal
question first to Wells, "what excuse had he to
make Z" Mr.. Wells replied that two members of
the board had Just arrived and that himself and
Mr.. Anderson had not had time to confer with
them, in order to frame their answer. They
therefore asked the opportunity of a conference,
and time till some day next week, to make their
answer to the House.
The same question was put separately to each
Of the other witnesses. The answer of each was
to the same effect.
Mr. Lvnde of Wisconsin, therefore offered two
resolutions; one adjudging witnesses to be in con-
tempt, and the other ordering them to appear be-
fore the investigating committee and produce the
papers called for, and that in the meantime they
also be kept in close custody of the Sergeant-at-
Arms.
Mr. Harris Of Va, presented as an amendment
that (as IN the Irwin easel the witnesses be con-
fined in the common jail (Murmurs of disapro-
baton on the repub. side of House.)
MIR. Page of Cal, (sarcastically,) Better move
to have them taken out and hanged right away"
Qaughter.)
Mr. Hoar-I ask whether the irst two witness
es Wells and Anderson, have had opportunity
OF conference with their associates.
Mr.. Lynde-lndirectly they have. They have
been together since half past eleven o'clock this
morning.
Mr.. Wells without rising from his seat)-ws
have not.
Mr.: Anderson (rising and addressing the speak
er)-We have not.
The Speaker-The witness will be seated.
Mr.. Page-I move that witnesses have right to
speak through somebody else.
Mr.. Clymer-The previous question has been
called, and all debate is out of order.
Mr. Garfeld-These witnesses have been kept
of ITO order" There can be no vote on previous
question without hearing.
Mr. Clymer ITO Mr.. Garfeld)-You have been
heard quite enough. We propose to dispose of
this matter at once.
Mr.. Kasson of la move that house adjourn
unless gentlemen are allowed 10 have at least q
conversation on the subject
Mr.. Page Il move that when house adjourn il
be to meet on Tuesday.
Mr.. Garied-The house has not even heard the
answers of these witnesses. They have them
written in their hands, and have not been heard.
MIR. Cox-1his Is an attempt to defeat the will
of the people of Louisiana aud of the United
States.
After one vote by yeas and nays on q dilatory
motion, Mr.. Hancock of Texas, proposed that the
previous question be withdrawn, and that witnesses
have half an honr to confer and prepare an an
swer.
That arrangement was assented to on both sides
aud the four witnesses retired to Q committee
room to confer together
A resolution to pay Mr. Fades $500 600 for
Missippi jettes, was offered and an amendment
that the pay be in $4,000 900 in u S. 5 per cent.
bonds, was suggested and debated . short time,
when its consideration was suspended and the
| four members of the Louisiana returning board
| were again presented at the bar OF the house.
The sent up to the clerks desk an answer which
was read.
They declare that in every one of their acts,
they acted with most sincere respect and defer.
ence to dignity and authority Of the house and its
committee and with the desire and purpose OF
submitting 10 all good faith to every lawful re-
quirem ent Of the house and its committee, and
that II any act of theirs was breach Of the lust
privileges Of the house, it was not 90 intended
but was without any purpose Of frsnd or Of dis