The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-16
Forty Fourth Congressional Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGlON. Jan To-
A resolution was passed to print 5000 extra
copies of the testimony taken by the Commit
tee on Elections in regard to the late election
in Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina and
the casting of the electoral vote of Oregon.
A fter considering number OF bills of pri-
vate character the Senate took up the report of
the Committee on Rules, prescribing new rules,
for the government of the Senate.
The committee reported an amendment to
the Sd rule so as to compel the attendance of
absent Senators whenever it shall be ascertain
ed quorum is not present AT er discussion
the amendment was passed over for the present
with the understanding it be again considered.
Mr.. Jones of Nevada, from the special COM
mlttee appointed at the last session 10 inquire
into the changes which had taken place in the
relative value of gold and silver, the causes
thereof ETC., submitted a concurrent resolution
its report from January 10Th to FEBRUARY 10Th.
Agreed to.
Mr. Morrill, presented resolutions of the Yer
mont Legislature in relation to fisheries in wa
tiers partly within the jurisdiction OF the several
states of the United States and partly within
the jurisdiction of the British provinces of
North America, asking measures for the pro-
lection OF such fisheries. Ordered printed.
Mr.. Window asked leave to make personal
explanation and had read at the Clerks desk
an article published in the Washington Union
of this date, to the effect that last summer
charges were made against William McVcker
Surveyor General at Washington Territory, Of
alleged malfeasance in Office, and that be was
retained in Office through the influence OF Sen
atOr Window; also, that he had paid money to
Senator Window for his appointment and re-
tentlon in office, but no action had been taken
upon them and there was disposition to keep
them quiet until after Mr.. WINDOWS reelection
as Senator.
Mr. Window had read note from Hon.
Montgomery Blair, the responsible editor of the
paper, saying the charge would not have been
printed had his attention been called to it, as
he did not believe it, and his paper would ex-
plain it tomorrow
The Senator then said it was true that the
charges had been made against him (Windom)
In the Department of the Interior within the
past day or two, by one Fl. j. Chapman of
Washington Territory or Oregon. This indi-
vdual (Chapman) would have au opportunity
of proving the charges to be made or be indlct-
ed. So far as be (Windom) was charged with
receiving any consideration, he had only to say
that every word was without foundation. He
moved that committee of three Senators be
appointed to investigate the charge on file
against him in the Interior Department, and
that the committee be composed exclusively of
Democrats.
Messrs. Morrill,, Gordon, Hamlin, CragiD,
Dawes, Cockerell and Ferry concurred in the
expression that the charge was without least
shadow OF truth and was unworthy OF investiga-
ton, and that it did not need the report of the
committee to vindicate the Senator.
The motion for the appointment of COM
nittee OF three to investigate the charge was
unanimously rejected.
The Senate returned to the consideration of
the report OF the Committee on Rules, and
pending the discussion went into executive ses-
sion and when the doors were reopened adj
| journed.
HOUSE.
President Orion made answer to the charge
of contempt. He plead illness as an excuse for
non attendance.
He said that the kilograms called for had
never been IN his possession or control, exec pit
| as agent of his company, and that the COM
pany had without any knowledge or participa-
ton on bis part taken from him all power and
control over the kilograms sent through its of
| fees. He disclaimed any intentional disre-
| spect to the committee or to the House, and
declares his readiness to appear before the
| committee on its return to Washington and
| give his testimony fully and freely. He there
fore asks to be discharged from custody.
MIR. Orton's answer to the whole matter was
| referred to the Judiciary Committee and he
was remanded to the custody of the sergea Mt
| alarms.
Mr.. Cochrane of Pa, moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolution instructi0g the
| judiciary Committee to inquire as to the pro-
pretty OF revOking any concessions and privi-
| leges held by the Western Union Tel. Co. I'm
der the acts OF Congress, in consequence of the
contumacy of the company. Motion was de-
feated, yeas III nays IS, less than two-thirds
| in the affirmative
| Mr.. Whyte of KY, referred to the resolution
| reclting that fears were entatained that there
| may not be a peaceable settlement of the Pres
| ldental question and declaring that attempts to
prejudice or excite the public mind in advance
OF the authority provided for In the consttu-
| tloD, is unwse, unpatriotic and full of danger
| to The country. Adopted
MIR Hatcher of No.. moved to suspend the
rules and pass the bill for the relief of tobacco
| growers. Ii provides that tobacco growers
| shall have the right to sell leaf tobacco free
| from any tax, line or auy other restrictions.
| Defeated-yeas 102, nays 80; two thirds not
voting in the affirmative.
| Mr. Caulheld of Ill moved to suspend the
rules and pass the following bill:
| Whereas, serious Apprehension exists in the
minds OF the people that the deliberations of
| their Representatives in Congress may be con-
trolled or in some way interferred with by the
presence OF any considerable portion of the
army of the United States in Washington dar-
Ing the sessions of Congress, and
Whereas, it is of the highest Importance
that all deliberations of Congress shall not only
be free from extraueous influence but that no
reasonable ground of fear or suspicion shall
| exist III the popular mind that any act has
been the product or salt of any other cause
than the unbiased sense of the Representative s
| duty to his constituency,
BE 1T enacted, &c, That 1t shall be unlawful
for more than one regiment or battalion of in
| fantry of not more than 500 men, one company
of cavalry and one battery of artillery, not ex-
ceedng six guns, to be stationed at or kept for
any purpose whatever, during the sessions OF
| Congress, within the limits Of the District of
umbia, and troops so stationed shall be dis
posed as only to guard and protect the public
property; that no more than one company shall
be stationed at one point, nor shall they be
drilled or reviewed in greater numbers than
one company at time, and no part thereof
shall be brought for any purpose within one
| without the request of Congress. Provided,
| however, that III time of war or invasion dur
ing said sessions of Congress, Congress shall
have the power to call on the President fol-
such increase of troops in said District as be
shall deem necessary. Any officer of the
United States, in civil or military Service, who
brings together or issues any order for bring ine
together larger body of troops than above
provided for, or keeping, or maintaining them,
except as provided in this act, shall be guilty
of high misdemeaner, and shall be subject to
all the penalties prescribed for such misde.
| meanor.
Defeated-yeas 80, nays 90.
| Adjourned.