Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-01-29
EORTY-FIFTH CONG RESS,
TuESnAN .IannarN %


titions asking a commission on the alcoholic
liquor traffic: against any reduction of the
tariff, and against the Teimposition Of the war
tax on tea and coffee: for revision of the pen
sion Laws, and for individual pensions were
pl esented and referred in the morning hour.
Mir. EdmundS introduced 2 bill making the
I'D day OF February legal holiday i'm the Dis
ulct OF Columbia. Referred 10 committee on
the District.
Mr.. Cameron wis introduced bill 10 pro-
vide for phonographc reports Of the circuit
cOults of the United States.
Mr.. Plumb introduced a bill 10 repeal GER
tam actS ana parts oi acts relating TO the tax
on savings hanks
Mr.. Howe, from the committee on the libra
ry, reported House resolution accepting the
picture known as Carpenters painting of the
signing OF the proclamation of emancipation.
and fixing the l2Ih of February for its formal
acceptance.
Mr.. EdmundS said as a member of the COM
mittee on the library, he did not concur in the
report. While he appreciated the patriotism
OF the donor, he did not think the picture, as a
work OF art, worthy OF place in any part of
the Capitol.
Mr.. Howe said the resolution had passed the
House unanimously. The picture had been
past. and had now been purchased for that
sum by patriotic lady. who now proposed to
present il To the government. Artists might
differ as TO the merits of the work. but he he
heVed its historical correctness was not queS
toned.
The resolution was agreed to-yeaS 81. nays =
ME-. EuHunuS Introduced Il RESOLUTION Ill
fectlng the committee on military affairs 10
inquire whether, since July ~. 1864, amy officer
had been appointed Ia the army contrary To
The revised statutes Adopted.
At tie expiration of the morning hour the
silver bill came up as unfinished business.
| Mr.. Wallace addressed the Senate in support
OF the bill.
HOUSE.-Mr. Durham. from committee on
appropriations, reported bill authorizing the
Secretary of the Treasury to employ tempo
rary clerks, &c. Mr.. Durham gave notice that
he would call il up Immediately after the Mill
iary Academy bill had been disposed of. Bill
ordered printed.
Mr.. Stephens introduced a bill in relation to
the use of the metric system OF weights and
measures by importers. Referred.
Mr.. Iuttrell presented a petition of over ten
thousand labOring men of his district. asking
the aDrogatlOn OF the Burlingame treaty with
China. Referred.
Personal EXPLANATION BY GEN BUTIER
Mr.. Butter asked leave TO present tive peti-
Hons and to make a personal explanation.
The first petition was one from a large num-
Der of manufacturers and OPERATIVES of Lowell.
Mass, protesting against the repeal of the re-
sumption act, and the passage Uf the Bland
silver BILL as it would be inimical 10 their buS
ness interests.
Mr.. Butler said that the paper was signed by
large number OF intelligent and educated
gentlemen. They were his friends. neighb0rS
and constituents. and he regretted To be com
PEELED TO differ from them. They believe that
The passage of the silver bill will be deStruc-
from them, and 50 differing he must follow out
his own convictions. He was willing to have
the Whole matter tested by the result of the
bills. He (Buter) believed he was right in his
view OF this question. and so believing he
would act accordingly. He would not differ
from his constituents if he did not believe he
was acting for their best interests. His con
StituentS could certainly not be worse of i'm
any event than they are now. He believed
any change from present conditions would be
for the better
CEN BUTLER's BIBLE LESSON
The second memorial sent up was one from
the Norfolk conference of nitarian ministers
of Massachusetts earnestly protesting against
The passage of the Bland silver bill, as deroga-
tory to the honor of the country. and request
ing all of the Massachusetts members to vote
against il.
After the memorial had been read, Mr.. But
ler said: Mr.. Speaker. will you have the
kindness 10 send me the Bible from your
desk
The Bible was sent and after searching for
a moment and mark ing passage Mr.. Butler
said: viii the Clerk please read the passage
marked?'
Several members-Give MS the chapter.
Mr.. Butler.--SecOndc chapter of John.
The Clerk then read the passage about
Jesus driving from the Temple with scourge
OF cords those that sold oxen and sheep and
doves and the changers OF money.
Mr.. Butler.-After that rebuke ] have
nothing further 10 say. [Laughter.l
ANOTHER Personal EXPLANATION.
Mr. Rice (OhiO) rose To a personal eNplana-
tlOn. anu nau an extract from al
in the Washington Republican based upon
some remarks made by Mr.. Price, of Iowa OH
Friday i'm relation TO the alleged refusal of the
committee on pensions to report pension bills.
Mr.. Rice did not think that the remarks of
the gentleman from Iowa would bear the con-
Siruclion put upon them by the editor of the
ReBltbjic0n to wit, that the committee was not
disposed TO report the bills. On Friday last
he (Rice) met The gentleman from Iowa. Mr..
Price. and he inquired what progress the COM
mttee was making on the bill for arrears of
pensions. He told the gentleman from Iowa
that the bill was before the committee. and
that ii had his earnest sympathy and that its
details were being prepared as rapidly as
possible. He did say it would take large
amount of money from the Treasury. but he
did not say that that was reason why the bill
would not be reported. He did not believe there
was a member of the committee. who would
fail to do justice TO married and unmarried
soldiers. He thought the records would show
that more justice had been done them and
more care taken of them i'm the 18th and 18th
Congresses than i'll any previously.
Mr.. Price said he did not think his language
was open to the construction given il by the
editor of the Republican. He certainly meant
nothing of the kind. He had used his remarks
10 SHOW That the country wanted five million
dollars 10 pay pensions, while il was proposed
10 put that amount i'll the pockets of the whisky
men. He certainly intended no reflection upon
the committee. and especially upon the chair
man. (Mr. Rice for whom he had too much
respect.