Daily globe., 1878-05-25
Senate.


Senate.
WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Edmunds
from the select committee to take into con
slderation the law respecting the ascertainins
and declaration Of result of elections of Presi
dent and Vice-President Of the United States
said he was directed by the committee to make
report in part in the form of bill to amend
sundry provisions of chapter one, titled three
revised statutes of the United States, relating
to Presidential elections and to provide for an6
regulate the counting of votes for President
and Vicc-President, and the decision of ques
tions thereon. The bill was placed on the cal
endar and MIR. Edmunds gave notice that he
would ask the attention of the Senate to its
consideration some day next week, and he
hoped the Senators would examine it care
fully.
Senator Thurman, member of the select com
mittee, said he only wished to remark that the
report was not a una nlmOus one, and he would
take occasion to explain to the Senate why he
dissented.
Senator Burnside, from the committee on
education and labor, reported adversely on the
House joint resolution to provide for the en-
forcement of the eight hour law, and also ad-
versely on the Senate bill to regulate the hours
Of labor. Placed on the calendar.
Senator Davis called up the Senate bill to
provide for an additional circuit Judge in the
second judicial district. Passed.
The bill to provide for the free entry Of arti-
cles imported for exhibition by societies estab-
lished for the encouragement of arts and
science was passed.
Senator Burnside, from the committee on
lish an educational fund, and apply portion
OF the proceeds of sales of public lands to pub
lie education, and to provide for more COM
plete endowment and support of National col
!eges for the advancement of scientific and
industrial education. Placed on the calendar.
Senator Allison submitted a resolution di-
rectlng the secretary of the interior to transmit
to the Senate certain information in regard to
the application for the government of the
Chlckasaw nation for a hearing on the so-called
permit law. Agreed to.
At expiration of the morning hour considera-
tlon was resumed of the bill providing per-
manent form of government for the District of
Columbia.
Senator Hamlin submitted an amendment
providing that poll tax Of one dollar shall be
annually assessed upon and collected of every
male inhabitant Of the District who shall be ri
years old, said tax to be levied and collected as
other taxes.
Senator Hamlin, in explanation of his amend
ment, said there was Il very great number here
who paid no tax, yet they all hati the benefits
OF schools, improved streets, etc. He believed
every inhabitant should contribute something
Tor what the law and government afforded him.
This poll tax would probably yield to the dis
trict $l5. 900 or $40, 900 year.
Senator Whytc said he was surprised that
such a proposition should come from tho
source it did. 1t was to impose on the colored
people of this district poll tax of 81 head
when many OF them were so poor the govern
ment had take of them. Great com
plant WAS made on the other side of the
chamber short time ago about the poll-tax in
Georgia. He surprised that the Gcorgi a
doctrine had got up to Maine SO soon.
Senator Conkling-Was not that a condition
of voting.
Senator Whyte--I don't know. This is a
condition OF living. 1t is worse.
Senator Conkling-1t does not propose to
Kill him if he does not pay tax.
Senator Whyte--It will kill some to pay it
He was not hard hearted enough to levy a poll
tax OF one dollar on poor colored man.
Senator Hamlin said he made no distinction
account Of color.
Senator Whyte was satisfied no tax looking to
suffrage should be levied.
Senator Hamlin said there was no connection
whatever of his amendment with the right of
voting. He did not propose to vote for this
bill because there was not enough suffrage in it.
he favored mixed government for. the Dis
trict, portion of the officers to be elected by
the people and a portion to be appointed by
the government If the general government
should take control of the District it should
pay all the taxes.
The amendment of Senator Hamlin was
agreed to; yeas 25, nays %.
The third section of the bill relating to taxa
tion, and that the Federal government shall
pay fifty per cent. of the expenses Of the Dis
trict, &C., was then agreed to as an amendment
no change being made in the fifty per cent
clause.
nho x,f Il, |,
all taxes shall be paid into the treasury of The
United States to be disbursed on itcmizec
vouchers, and that the secretary of the treas
ury shall pay interest on 3.65 bonds of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia and also create a fund fol
the payment Of the principal Of such bonds, was
agreed to with several unimportant amend
ments.
The fifth section Of the bill, relating to con
tracts for pavements, repair of streets, &C., wa.
slightly amended.
Pending discussion, Senator Ferry said hi
desired to G. i've notice he would call up the bill
to forbid the further retirement of legal tendel
notes as soon as the District of Columbia bill
should be disposed Of
Senator Paddock submitted an amendmer
to the Texas Pacific railroad bill, extending aic
to the Republican Valley railroad company
Referred.
Senator Matthews, by request, introduced
bill to invest the court of claims with jurisdic
ton to hear all the titles and claims of titles t.
unpatented lands in the southwest fractiona
quarter Of section TO- township 80 north range
II, east of the third principal meridian in tn,
city of Chicago, county of Cook and State o
Illinois, and to invest the proper claimant, O.
claimants, of said lands with the legal it'll
thereof by decree Of said court. Referred t,
the committee on private land claims.
Senator Mitchell submitted as an amendmen
to the river and harbor bill, the bill introduce,
by him October last, appropriating 100000 fo
the purpose of continuing the construction o
a canal and locks at the cascades of the Columbi
river. Laid on the table, and he gave notice h
would address the Senate in regard theret
Monday.
After an executive session the Senate ad
iOurOe1