Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-14
EoRTY-FIFTH CONGRE y.
WAsHINGTON. May l3.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr. Johnston of Va, introduced bill for the
use of the Mohat bell punch, III the District of
Columbia.
Mr.. Molrlll OF Vt, presented petition signed
by five or six hundred mechanics OF Boston, favor
lng the repeal of the eight hour law. They de-
clare 1t UNJUST TO pay workmen much for eight
hours labor, as utner woIkmen receive for ten
hours.
Referred.
Mr.. Conoyer, from the committee on post otic-
es, reported an amendment to the post office APP
preparation bill, authorizing the Postmaster Gen-
eiai TO advertise tor conveying mails between
San Francisco and Hong Kong, aud to touch at
Honolulu, anu pay therefor not exceeding $50 per
mile.
Az amendment similar to that reported by the
same committee, providing for a mail steamship
service between New \ ork aud New Orleans aud
BrbZil, was referred.
Mr.. Couover's amendment provides for a mail
steamship service between san Francisco and
SYDNEY, Australia, touching at the Sandwich Is
land aud New Zealand, aud not exceeding $50
per mile.
At the expiration of the morning hour the Sen,
ate tock up the post office appropriation bill.
The President pro tempoleilald before the Sen
ate communication from tue Secretary of War,
enclosing "a letter from the second auditor of tibet
treasury department, calling attention to the fact
al payment OF claims for bounty and arrears o
pay.
Without action on the bill the Senate al
iomncd.
A motion that tie House reconsider the vote
by which the main question was ordered on bill to
regulate Interstate commerce, and tue bill went
over until tomorrow.
The following bills were introduced and re-
ferred:
by Mr.. Grape, to provide ocean mail steam.
ship service between the United States and Portu-
gal.
Also, to establish signal service station at
Fall River, Mass.
BY Mr.. Lspham, joint resolution regarding
the danger to which the county may be subject
ed by the threatened lnvasions OF Sitting Bull by
raids across the Mexican border, and by insurrec-
tons in several States such occurred last year,
aud authorizing the President to increase the ar.
nv, during the recess Of Congress, by enlistment
OF volunteers, not to exceed -, 900 men.
Mr. Potter presented resolution directing the
investigation by a select committee into the cleo.
tOra frauds in Florida The resolution contains
the names of Edward N0yes and John sherman
in cOLneCtian with frauds
After Considerable discussion the Speaker de.
cided that the preamble and resolution presented
question OF the highest privilege, and must
therefore be received as an appeal from the decs-
lou of the chair taken.
Mr. Potter presented preamble reciting the
charges of frauds in the Florida and Louisiana
elections, made by the MARYLAND legislature; that
4
ers were charged parties thereto; aud also
resolution providing for a select committee of
eleven members OF the House, to inquire Into the
various allegations made, with power to send iOr
persons and papers. TO take testimony, &c, sub
committee to SIT IN flollta and louisiana to pro-
coed with the inquiry rs TO fraud, and report at
any time.
After the Presentation OF Mr.. POtters iesolu-
ton, the preamble and resoIutl N having been
read MI CoDger raised question that they did
aatf rl.sfu / al.
made further point that the powers proposed in
the resolution could not he gwen by a mere ma
Jority vote, but would qulrc suspension of the
rule.
MIR. Potter OF y. SAID that ole would sup
pose if there vas any suh ct winch should be en-
Titled TO pref, renee 10 this House. IN respect Of
the order of business, 1t was subject brought to
the notice Of the memorial of "A sovereign state
touching the official conduct of high offices of the
government, aud relating to fraud alleged to have
occurred, changing the result OF the election Of
the highest officers of thi. government
Mr.. COnger-iias the memorial OF the State of
Mary land been committed to the gentleman from
y ew York, 80 that he has any possession of 1t in
which to offer such resolution.
Mr.. POtter-l am now speaking only to the
question of order. Later on, # have an oppor
tunity to say anything, shall be able to make
answer to the inquiry which the gentleman from
Michigan has just put to me. Now As TO the
question of order 1t seems to me that to state this
case Is to argue 1t. Ii for the reasons that APPEAR
in the face OF this resolution this inquiry is not
privileged, then nothing can by its nature be priv
LEGGED. If the House OF Representatives ought to
give preference to the consideration Of any sub
jec subject Of the ma! nitule of this one ought
certainly TO have such preference.
Mr.. Hale of Me, argued from the rules and
manual that the resolution did not present ques
ton Of privilege. If the resolution proposed OF
was intended to subyert the accepted result
in the Presidential election then there might be
some claim that it did present question OF priyi,