The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-14

big where intoXicants are sold BY the
drink. Referred.
MIR. Morril presented petition of half
a dozen mechanics of Boston favoring
the repeal of the eight hour law. They
declare that it is unjust to pay workmen
employed by the government as much for
eight hours work as other workmen re-
celve for ten hours work. Referred.
HOUSE.
The vote by which the main question
was ordered on the bill to regulate inter-
State commerce was reconsidered and
the bill went over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Clapbam introduced joint reso-
luton reclLing the danger to which the
country may be subjected by the threat.
enei eruption of Sitting Bull, by the
raids across the Mexican and Canadian
borders, and by Instructions in the sew
eral Statas, such as occurred last year,
and authorizing the President, If in his
judgment it may seem necessary, to in
crease the army during the recess of Con-
gress by the enlistment Of volunteers, not
to exceed $4,000 in number.
Mr.. Potter, as q question of privilege,
presented the following preamble and re-
solution:
WHEREAS, The State of Maryland has,
by its Legislature, formally declared that
due effect was not gwen TO the electoral
vote cas-. by the State on the Sixth day Of
December, 1876, by reason Of fraudulent
returns in the electoral votes from the
States of Florida and Louisiana, and
WHEREAS, An affidavit! by Samuel B.
McLin, Chairman OF the Board of State
Canvassers of the State of Florida for
the election held in that State
IN November, 1876, for electors
of President and Vice-President
has been made public alleging
force and fraudulent returns Of the vote for
such election in that State, whereby the
choice Of the people Of that State was
annulled and reversed, and that the ac-
ton OF the Board of State Canvsssers
in making such returns Was influenced
by the conduct and promise of Hon.
Edward f. Noyes, now Minister to the
government Of France; aid
WHEREAS, Itis alleged that a conspira-
cy existed in the State OF Louisiana, where
by the Republican vote in all precincts
OF the parish OF East FeIiciana, and in
some precincts of West Feliciana, at the
general election in November, 1875, was
purposely withheld from the polls TO af-
ford q pretext for exclusion by the Re-
turning Board of that State OF the vote
cast ut these precincts for electors of Pres
ident and President; and that Jas.
h. Anderson, supervisor of registration
of East Feliciana, and ID. A. Weber, sa
pervIsor OF registration in the parish OF
West FelcisLa, in that State, in further
snCe OF that conspiracy, falsely protested
that the elections IN such precincts had
not been fsir and free, and that the State
Returning Board thereupon falsely and
fraudulently excluded the votes OF said
precincts, and by means thereof, and
OF other false and fraudulent action
by said Returning Board the choice
of the people Cf the State was an
uuled and reversed, and that such &C
ton OF said Weber and Anderson was
induced or encouraged by the assurances
OF Hon. John Sherman, Secretary Of
the Treasury Of the United States, and,
WHEREAS, The gravity OF these
charges, the nature Of the evidence upon
which they are reported to be based, and
the official dignity and position OF the
persons named in connection with said
frauds, make it proper that the same
should be inquired into tO the end, that
the honor of the nation may be ylndicat-
ed, and the truth as to such elections
be made known; therefore be 1t
RcsO!rcd That select committee con-
sisLing of eleven members Of the House
be appointed to inquire into the aforesaid
allegations as to the conduct Of persons
in Office aforesaid, in respect to said
election, and into the alleged false and
fraudulent canvass and returns OF votes
by the State, county, parish and precinct
officers IN said States OF Louisiana and
Florida, and into all the facts, which, in
the judgment of said committee, are con-
nected with or pertinent thereto, and
tdat said committee, for the purpose OF ex-
ecuting this resolution, shall have power to
send for persons and papers, to administer
o4ths and to take testimony and in their
discretion to detail the subcommittee
with like full authority of said commit
tee in every particular and with power
t. sit in Florida and Louisins, which
subcommittee shall be committees Ct
this House, and the chairman thereof
shall be authorized to administer oa.hs;
that said committee and subcommittee
may employ stenographers and be at.
tended each by a deputy sergeant-at-
arms ard may set during sessions OF tLis
House ard during vacation, and that
said committee proceed IN this inquiry
and have leave TO report at any time.
The preamble and resolution having
been read Mr.. Conger said they did not
present a question of privilege and
that the powers proposed in the resou-
tiou could not be given by q mere ma
iorltv vote, but would require suspension
OF the rules.
Mr.. Potter said one would suppose if
their was any subject which should be
entitled TO preference in this House in re-
spect of order OF business, 1t was the sub
iect brought to It's notice by the memorial
of a sovereign State touching tae Official
conduct OF hlgn onlcers OF the govern
ment and relating to fraud alleged to
have occurred, changing the result Of the
election Of the highest officers of the
government.
Mr.. Conger-Has the memorial OF the
State OF Maryland been committed TO the
gentleman from New York, so he bss
possession Of it on which TO otter such
resolution2
Mr.. Pot.er-I am now speaking only
of the question of order. Later on, if L
have an opportunity to say anything, l
shall be able to make an answer to tne
irquiry the gentleman has just put to me.
Now, as to question OF order, it seems TO
me that to state this case is TO argue 1t.
Ii, for reasons that appear on the face OF
this resolution, this inquiry is rot privi-
legged, then nothing can by its nature be
n