Connecticut western news., 1877-01-19
UNITED STATES CONGRESS-. :.
Senate.

Senate.
 Accompanying the report of Mir. Morton (Rep.), of Indiana, of the refusal of Q tele graph operator named Turner to testify before the committee elections was resolution declaring that Ir. Turner was in duty bound to answer questions, and cannot refuse to do so by virtue of his connection with the Western Union Telegraph Company, which was ordered to be printed.
 The question of the privacy of telegraphc dispatches was discussed, being called up on the resolution submitted by the committee on privi- leges and elections declaring that William M. Turner is in duty bound under his oath, to answD the questions propounded to him by the committee in regard to the transmission of tele- graphic messages through his office at Jackson vile, Oregon and that he cannot excuse him. self from answering the same by reason of his official connection with the Western Union Tele- graph Company as the manager of their office at Jacksonville, Oregon. After discussion the Senate by vote of thirty-three to three, passed the resolution. The Senate thus, by large majority, declares that the telegraph company must answer questions propounded to them.
 Mir. Sherman (Rep.), of Ohio, presented & petition of prominent business men and citizens of Cincinnati, members of both political parties, asking an amicable settlement of the Presiden- tial contest.
 After debate the resolution declaring that the telegraph manager Turner was bound to answer questions propounded to him, was adopted yeas, thirty-fye; nays, three-the negative votes being cast by Messrs. Burnside, Barnum and Eaton.
 Mir. Booth Rep.), of California, submitted a concurrent resolution prescribing rules for the counting of the votes for President and Vice President, which provide that it shall be the right of any member of the Senate or House of Representatives. when assembled in joint con- vention to count the electoral vote to object to any certificate; upon which objection the presi- dent pro lem. of the Senate shall rule, and an appeal may then be taken from such decision, when the two bodies shall separate and decide whether the ruling of the chair shall be affirm ed In case of disagreement, an appeal can be taken to the supreme court, and the contest ed vote shall be decided in accordance with the decision of said court. The justices of the su- preme court, in deciding such contests, may re- ceive in evidence the proceedings of any State officer or board of State officers, and reports of Congressional committees ordered to be printed
 Mir. Wood (Den.), of New York, presented a memorial from certain merchants and business men in New York expressing their satisfaction at the action of Congress in appointing joint com mittee to consider the proper mode of counting the electoral vote, and praying that all party considerations may be thrown aside, and that unselfsh patriotism may guide all Congressional action ill the matter. Read and referred to the joint committee on the subject.
 Mir. Bright Dem.) of Tennessee, asked leave to introduce bill for the free coinage of the silver dollar, and for making the same legal tender, and to refer it to the committee on mines and mining. The bill provides for the coinage of silver dollars containing 412l grains, and that no charge shall be made for convert ing standard silver bullion into the coin dollar.
 The sergeant-at-arms, by direction of the Speaker, presented at the bar of the Honse Mir. E. w. Barnes, the New Orleans manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, in custody as a recusant witness, he having refused to pro- duce before the House Investigating committee certain telegraphic dispatches passing through that office.
 The Speaker appointed MT. McDill (Rep.), of Iowa, to fill the vacancy in the committee on the right duties and privileges of the Houee in counting the electoral vote, in place of MT. Monroe (Rep.), of Ohio, excused. The House then adjourned.
 Mr. E. w. Barnes, the New Orleans manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, was before the bar of the House, and was asked what excuse he had to offer for the failure to produce before the House committee sitting at New Orleans telegrams called for in the sub p9na served on him. He replied that his answer had been prepared by his counsel The matter was referred to the Judiciary committee, and the sergeant-at-arms directed to retain MT. Barnes in custody.
 Bills introduced By NIT. Chittenden CRep.), of New York-For paying the legal tender debt Ill harmony with justice and the pledged faith of the government. By MT. Bright Deln. ), of Tenmessee-For the free coinage of silver dol lars ana making the same a legal tender. By Mir. Hunter (Rep.), of Indiana-To authorize and equip an expedition to the Arctic seas. By Mir. kehr (Dem.), of Missouri-For the further redemption of legal tender United States notes
 Mir. Willis Dem.), of New York, offered resolution instructing the committee on the privileges, powers and duties of the House, ill counting the Presidential vote to ascertain whether any votes were given at the recent election contrary to the prohibition contained in the first section of the second article of the Constitution, forbidding United States officials to be appointed electors and what ought to be done with them, and whether any and what pro- vision ought to be made for securing faithful observance in the future of such section also to inquire into any facts affecting the fairness or the legality of any electoral votes certified to send for persons and papers, Adopted without 8 division.
 A resolution inquiring into the disposition of United States troops was lost by vote of 130 to 83-not two-thirds.
 Mir. Mills (Dem.), of Texas moved to sus- pend the rules and adopt the following:
 ReS0lUed, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of States and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment ex- clusively, is essential to the balance of power which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends ahd we denounce the lawless inyason by armed force, of the soil of any State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as among the gravest of crimes. The resolution defeated by 107 yeas to 82 nays not two-thirds.