Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-23
FORTY.FIFrH CONGRESS.
Extra Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, October ~.
Among the bills introduced and referred during
the morning hour, were the following:
by Beck OF Ky, TO repeal section Sd of the act
to provide for the resumption Of specie payments,
approved July IA, 1875.
BY Hereford to repeal the act to provide for the
resumption Of specie payments.
BY Jones Of Nevada, to authorize the coinage
OF dollar Of 4l2 IL grains Of standard silver.
The resolution submitted by Edmunds Wednes-
day last providing for the appointment Of . CON-
mittee OF seven senators, TO take into considers
ton the state of the law respecting the result of
elections Of President and Vice-President Of the
U. S. was taken up.
Edmunds moved to amend by adding the words
land that said committee have power 70 confer
be charged with the same subject" Agreed 70
and the resolution passed % amended.
Howe of Wisconsin, introduced bill to amend
the action of the revised statutes vf the United
States, relating to transportation Of animals.
Chaffe of Colorado submitted Q resolution di.
recting the Secretary of the Interior to transmit
copy of the last annual report Of the government
directors Of the Union Pacific Railroad company.
Agreed to.
A number of bills were introduced and referred.
Adjourned.
The House as the regular order Of business,
proceeded to the consideration of the Colorado
case, and was addressed by Mr.. Harris Of Va. in
favor of the claims Of Patterson TO seat Tho
whole question turns on the point whether the
election Of Bedford on the Sd of October was le-
GAL in view of the fact that the act Of Congress Of
1872 requires the election of all Representatives TO
take place on the 7th Of November, the day on
which Patterson was voted for.
Butler of Mass, argued to the right Of The con-
sttutional convention Of Colorado TO TO fx the
day of election, under the enabling act, and quot
ed presidents in the cases Of Tennessee. Arkan-
sas, Michigan, Kansas, &c.
Mr.. Harris asked Butler whether the eonstitu-
tlonal of Colorado could fix day authorizing the
election of representative for both the 44th and
10th Congress,
Butler-That is absolutely none Of our business.
am states rights man myself. (Langhter.)
Haris-The gentleman from Mass. used 10 be
shining light of the states rights doctrine when
l was boy, but he strayed from that faith, and
now l see that he 10 wavering on the subject.
Buter-l never wavered on the subject, never.
QLsughter)
Harris challenged Mr.. Butler to cite any prece-
dent where . constitutional convention Wa al
lowed to fix day for the election of represents
tves to two Congresses.
Mr.. Butler replied that he would freely admit
that there was no case where short unexpired
term came in, but he conceived that that was mos
the question here.
Mr.. Conger of Mich. spoke in favor Of the claim
of Mr.. Belford.
After speech BY Mr.. Chalmers Of Mis,.. the
matter went over without action.
Schleicer offered . resolution for the appoint
ment of select committee of eleven members to
consider the subject of the civil service Of the U.
5: and measures 70 promote its efficiency. Adopt
ed.
Southland of Ohio offered resolution for the ap-
pontment of select committee Of eleven menu
bers, to take into consideration the state Of the law
respecting the ascertainmept and declaration Of
the result of the election Of the President and
vice-P President, and to confer with Q like commit
tee on the part of the Senate. Adopted.
Cox offered resolution directing the Secretary
of the Navy to report what action has been taken
in the navy yards Of the United States in rsgulat-
ing the hours of labor, and whether such action
has been in derogation of or compliance with sec-
ton 1888. X. g.. which requires that "sight hours
shall constitute days work for al 1sborers,
workmen and mechanics in the employ Of the gov
eminent of the United States"
Adjourned to "wednesday.