New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-17
BY TELEGRAPH.
CONGRESS-.


WASHINGTON, January l6.-In the Senate
the bill reported from the Judiciary Com
mittee, last session, to amend the Pacific
railroad acts, which was made the special
order for to-day, was postponed until next
Thursday, at one O'Clock, on account of the
absence of Mr.. Hitchcock.
Mr.. Patterson, of South Carolina, pre-
sented the petition Of D. 81. Chamberlain,
II. Greaves, f. l.. Cardoza and others, of
South Carolina.
Mr.. Patterson said he would not ask to
have 1t read, but moved that it be printed
in the Record.
Mr.. Alcorn, of Mississippi, objected to
anything being printed in the records with
out being read in the Senate.
The reading of the petition was then COM
menced. The petitioners refer to the petit
tiOn of Wade Hampton and others, and say
many of the statements in it are untrue
and in fact are calculated to mislead the
Senate, and various important facts are
omitted.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, interrupting the
reading, said he would suggest that the
paper be printed in the Record without
taking up time to have it read.
Mr.. Alcorn again objected, and said he
had no idea there wass anything improper
in the memorial, but it should be first read
in the Senate.
Mr.. Sherman said when q Senator pro-
dueed petition he became the guarantor
that it was proper, and for that reason it
need not be read.
Mr.. Alcorn having declined to withdraw
his objection the reading was resumed.
The petitioners ask Congress to accept
from them q full and fair statement of
affairs in South Carolina, and declare they
stand ready to make good their statement
when required to do 30. They charge
violence and intimidation of Republican
voters at the election, review ct great
length the action of the Returning Board
and Supreme Court, and claim that they
were lawfully elected to their respective
Offices.
The reading of the petition was continued
to 12:45 P. NJ, when Mr.. AlcOrn withdrew
his objection.
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia, said that
unless the Senator presenting the petition
would state he had read it and that it was
proper document he would renew his OBJ
jeotion.
Mr.. Patterson, of South Carolina, said he
had not read it, as he only received it this
morning, but he knew Governor Chamber
lain to be an honorable man, and he would
not put anything in the petition which was
untrue. He had no doubt it was proper
and respectful document.
No further objection TO having it printed
without being read was made, and it was
ordered that the petition be printed ia the
Record.
Mr.. Patterson, of South Carolina, sub
mitted a resolution declaring that the State
government now existing in South Carolina
and represented by D. H. Chamberlain, is
the lawful government of that Statei that
it is republican in form, and every assist
ance should be given by the United States
to the end that the laws may be faithfully
| executed.
Referred to the Committee on Privileges
/ and EleetiOns
| Mr.. Withers, of Virginia, in accordance
| with notice called up the message of the
/ President in regard to the occupation Oi
Petersburg, Virginia, by the military on No
vember Z, the day of the general election
/ and submitted the following resolution fol
immediate consideration.
Resolved, That the Committee on Judi
ciary be instructed to examine whether the
construction of the laws touching the cleo
tive franchise promulgated by the Attorney
| General in general orders No. SO, of the
date Of September z, 1876, he correct, and
that they report by bill or otherwise.
After stirring speeches from Senators
Withers and Johnston, in which they de
| nOunced the occupation of Petersburg by
troops during the late election, the resolu
ton was passed.
Adjourned.
House.
The Judiciary Committee reported q res
olutiOn for the arrest of the members of the
Louisiana Returning Board and bringing
them before the bar of the House TO answer
| for contempt in refusing to produce the
| original returns before the New orleans IN
vestigating committee.
| A somewhat excited debate took place, in
which the crowds in the galleries partici
pated in the way of frequent applause and
cheering of the Democratic speakerg.
This breach Of decorum was made the
subject of grave complaint on the Repub
lican side, and was condemned by the
Speaker.
No vote was reached before adjournment
The bill for commissioners on the silver
question was defeated.
The report of the Judiciary Committee
relative to the refusal of Wells, Anderson
Casanave and Kenner, of the LOuisians
Returning Board, to produce before the
committee on the election in Louisiana Ger
tain papers demanded by that committee
declares that the Judiciary Committee doei
not recognize the right Of any person, Of
State, or Federal officer, to defeat an inves
tigation of either House of Congress which
| might involve the existence of the govern
ment, by refusing to appear and testify be
fore its committees. and closes with reso
luton directing the Sergeantat-Arms t,
take into custody the above named person
and bring them before the bar of the Hous'
for contempt of its privileges.
Mr.. Frye, Of Maine, regarded the doctrin
enunciated in the report monstrOus, H
held that Congress was precluded iron
going behind the Returning Board.
Mr.. Kasson argued against the resolution
General Hooker, of Mississippi, gave al
elaborate review Of the situation, and suH
ported the resolution.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, opposed the resC
luton.
Mr.. Wood argued in its favor.
Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio, spoke against il
The debate was personal and disorderly
without any point of general interest.
The previous question was finally second
ed, and the question comes mp in the morn