The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.

Senate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.
The Senate assembled at IL NJ.
Anthony and Bayard were appointed
committee to join the House committee and
notify the president that Congress had as
sembled.
Bills laid on the table pending the ap-
pointment of committees:
By Beck-To provide for retiring the
trade dollar and for its coinage into standard
silver dollars also, to authorize the pur-
chase of foreign built ships by citizens of
the United States.
The vice president laid before the Senate
the credentials of Hon. Justin S. Morrill,,
elected U. S. senator from Vermont for six
years, from March 4, 1879; read and placed
OH file.
The only senators absent to-day were Bar
mum, Cockrell, Conkling, Gordon. Hoar,
Jones of Nevada, Herman, Merriman, Patter-
son, Plumb, Sargent, Sharon, Spencer and
White.
By voorhees-A resolution instructing
the committee on finance to inquire into the
expediency of making the trade dollar a le-
gal tender for all debts, public and private,
and for providing for its recoinage into the
standard silver dollars of 4131a grains.
By Blaine-A resolution instructing the
Judiciary committee to report to the Senate
whether at the recent elections the constitu-
tonal rights of any citizens were violated
in any State, and what further legislation is
necessary to protect the citizens in their con-
stitution rights, etc. Recess.
Upon reassembling the message of the
president was received and read. The read
ing concluded, the message was laid on the
table and ordered printed. Adjourned.
House.
The House galleries to-day contained the
customary crowd at the opening of session
of Congress. At noon Speaker Randall
raped the House to order, when the chap
lain made a prayer and the roll WAS called.
The roll called showed 229 members pres
ent. Two new members, Bailey and Rogers,
then took the ironclad oath.
committee was appointed to inform
the president that Congress was in session.
After recess the presidents message was
received from private secretary Rogers and
read.
When the reading of the message was
ended, Wood, of New York rose and moved
that it be referred to a committee of the
whole House and ordered printed. But first
he desired to make some comments upon it.
Although as whole the document was
highly satisfactory, yet there were some ref
erences in it which should be met at the ear
Hest practicable moment. tie referred to
that part relating to the Southern States.
He (Wood) failed to see what the president
saw--any disposition in the South to avoid
or annul in any degree the constitutional
| amendments. He failed to see any indca-
ton in the south of unwillingness to live In
entire amity with the whole country in re-
gard to laws, or to obey the government
He regretted that the president, who had
| commenced his administration with such a
| noble and patriotic position as against the
military despotism exercised by his prede
cessor, should now indicate change of pol
icy. He knew there was wing OF
the Republican party dissatisfied with
that position, and it had been matter
of interest to the whole country to know
whether the president would continu-
ously maintain his attitude. While the
President expressed his views in very mild
and very decorous language. yet he indicated
quite clearly that the condition of things in
the South was not satisfactory to him. The
President had referred especially to the cleo
ton in South Carolina and Louisiana. He
had been able to single out two States and
only two solitary instances in these States.
That was an indication of vacillation on the
part of the executive, and was only because
it was such an indication that he (Woodl
felt it his duty to declare that there was no
foundation for the allegation of wrong by
the South. 1t was to be regretted that
while the Presidents eyes were open to the
Congressional elections in the South, they
were closed to what occurred in the city of
New York on the 9TH of November.
Garfield characterized it rs very unusual
to interrupt the ordinary form of proceeding
by debating any suggestions OF the message.
The exact language of that part of the mes
sage with which the gentleman found fault,
was not in his mind, but the language was
very plain-invited to these things from
careful reading of the papers, he believed
considerable disturbances in the South, not
ably, open intimidation in South Carolina.
His was n charge thrown broadcast over the
land. and Congress so noted for investiga-
ton as this one should investigate it.
A motion to refer and print the message
was agreed to.
he military academy and fertilization APP
preparation bills were reported and notice of
early action given.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. g.
Senate.
Paddock submitted a resolution instruct
ing the committee on finance to inquire into
the expediency of making trade dollars IA le-