The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE.

In the house on the 18th, after the call OF
committees for reports Of q private nature,
the house went into committee of whole on
the private calander Mr.. Wilson [Iowa] in
the chair. Mr.. Knott, chairman of the Judi.
ciary committee, reported on the case of
Barnes. the recalcitant manager of the New
Orleans Western Union telegraph office, that
the house has right to compel the produc-
ton of kilograms by the officers OF the tele-
graph company. Mr.. Barnes was brought
before the house. He declared that he is not
now in charge of the New Orleans office,
but that should he again be placed in charge
of that Office and should the kilograms
demanded be there, he would willingly pro-
duce them. Witness made further answer,
declaring that he was perfectly willing to
produce the messages if he could do so. Mr..
Knott then offered resolution declaring
the response of witness not sufficient
and remanding him to the custody of the
sergeant.at.arms until he shall have produced
the kilograms or been discharged by order
OF the house. Adopted-yeas, 13l; nays, r..
Nh Knott, from the committee to ascertain
privileges OF the house in the counting of
the electoral vote, made report from that
committee, recommending the adoption of
the following resolutions: Resolved That
the constitution of the United States does
not confer on the president Of the senate
power to examine and ascertain the votes to
be counted as electoral votes for president
and vice-president of the United States
Resolved, That the only power which the
constitution confers on the president Of the
senate in regard to the electoral votes for
president and vice.president, is to receive
the senled lists transmitted to him by the
several electoral clerks, and keep safe and
to open all certificates, or those purporting
to be such, in The presence of the senate and
house Of representatives Resolved, That
the constitution does confer on the senate
and house of representatives the power to
examine and ascertain the votes to be
counted as electoral votes. Resolved,
That in the execution OF that power in re-
spect to the bunting Of the electoral votes,
the house has at least equal power with the
senate. Resolved, That in the counting of
the electoral votes no vote can be counted
against the judgment and determination of
the house OF representatives. Resolved,
That the committee have leave to sit again
and report hereafter further matter for the
consideration of the house of representa-
tives. The report, together with the minority
report submitted by Mr.. Burchard I'LL |,
was ordered printed. Mr.. Knott gave notice
that he would call up the resolution for ac-
tion on Wednesday next. Mr.. Knott also
asked that two additional members be ap-
pointed on the committee to ascertain the
rights and privileges of the house of repre-.
sentatives in counting the electoral vote.
The speaker appointed Messrs. Field and
Lawrence as such additional members. The
speaker laid before the house message
from the president stating how the money
appropriated by the river and harbor bill
has been expended. After speech by Mr.
Reagan, in which he severely criticised the
action Of the president in regard to the bill,
the message was referred. Consent was
given to print the testimony taken by the
committee on elections in South Carolina,
The house then adjourned until Monday.
In the house on the 18th, VIM. Orton,
president of the Weston Union telegraph
company, was before the bar of the house,
to answer the charge of being in contempt
of the house in not appearing before the
Louisiana investigating committee and pro-
ducing certain kilograms. Mr.. Orton's an
swer pleaded illness as an excuse for his
non.attendance. The answer and the whole
matter was referred to the judiciary commit.
.ee anu asrasonatsrma uon Sts Mr. a Atkins G intro.
duced bill for the improvement Of Tennes.
see river. Adjourned.
-, .,
In the house Oh the 10th, the resolu-
ton to permit the committee on privileges
ond dut;es of the bouse N send for naners
anu uN' -. A. .oao;aI =,
and persons anu 10 si' uufinS 'ne SesS'on Vi
house, was adopted. Yeas, lay; nays, 40.
Mr.. Lynde, from the judiciary committee,
made a report relative to the refusal oil