The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-23
XLVth CONGRESS-Extra Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Oct. %.
Among the bills introduced and referred
during the morning hour were the following:
One by Mr.. Beck of Kentucky, to repeal Sec 8
of the act to provide tor the resumption of spe.
Gle payment, approved Avg u, 1876; one by Mr.
Bereford to repeal the act 10 provide for the
resumption of specie payments; and one by
Mr.. Jones of Nevada to authorize the coinage
of dollar of 412a grains of standard silver.
The resolutions submitted by Mr.. Edmunds
Wednesday last, providing for the appoint
ment of committee of seven Senators to take
into consideration the state of the law respect
ing the result of elections of President and Vice
President Of the United States, were taken up.
Mr.. Edmnnds moved to amend by adding the
words, "And that said committee have power
to confer and act with any committee of the
House that may be charged With the same OBJ
ject." Agreed to. and the regolution was pass
ed as amended.
Mr.. Howe of Wisconsin introduced bill to
amend Certain provisions of the revised statutes
of the United States, relating to the Transport
tation of animals.
Mr.. Chaffee of Colorado submitted q resolu-
ton directing the Secretary of the In
terror to transmit copy of the last annual re-
port of The government directors of the Union
Pacific R. r. Co., which was agreed to-
Mr.. Boar of Massachusetts presented petit
ton of the Boylston Insurance Co., praying for
a reestablishment of the legation at Bogota and
the appointment of represen tative thereat
A number of other bills were introduced and
referred.
At - 40 the Senate adjourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
The House as the regular order of business
proceeded to the consideration of the Colorado
case and was addressed by Mr.. Harris of Vlr.
glnia in favor of the claims of Mr.. Patterson to
seat. The whole question turns on the point
whether the election OF Belford on the Sd of
October was legal 10 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.
Mr. Butler of Massachusetts argued to the
right of the constitutional convention of Colo
RADIO to fix the day of election uaoer the enab-
ling act, and quoted preceden 10 the cases of
Tennessee, Arkansas, Michigan, Kansas, &C.
Mr.. Harris asked Butler whether the consti-
tutl0nal convention of Colorado could fix a day
authorizing the election of representative for
both the "A and 45th Congress.
Batler--Tnat is absolutely none of our busi-
ness. [ am a states rights man myself.
(Laugbter.)
Harris--The gentleman from Massachu setts
used to be shining light of the states rights
doctrine when was boy, but he strayed from
that faith and now see that he is waverng on
the subject.
Butler-I never wavered on the subject; new
er. [Langhter)
Mr.. Harris challenged Mr.. Butler to cite any
precedent where constitutional convention
was allowed to fix day for the election of rep
resentatives to two Congresses.
Mr.. Butler replied that be would freely ad-
nit that there was no case where short IN
expired term came in, but he conceived that
that was not the question here
Mr. Conger of Michigan spoke in favor of the
clam of Mr.. Bedford.
After speech by Mr.. Chalmers of Mississip-
pi the matter went over without action.
Mr.. Schleicber offered resolution for the
appointment of select comn'ttee of eleven
members to consider the subject of the civil ser
vice of the United States aud measures to pro-
mote its efficiency. Adopted.
Mr.. Southland of Ohio offered resolution for
the appointment of a select committee of eleven
members to take into consideration the state of
the law respecting the ascertainment and dec
laration of the result of the election of the
President and Vice President, and to confer
with like committee on the part of the Senate.
Adopted.
Mr.. Cox offered a resolution directing the
Secretary of the Navy to report what action
has been taken 10 the navy yards of the Unit
ed States in regulating the hours of labor and
whether such acton has beeu ia derogation of
or in compliance With Sec. 1888 of the Revised
Statutes, which requires that "eight hours
shall constitute days work for all laborers,
workmen and mechanics 10 the employ of the
government of toe United States"
Adjourned to Wednesday.