Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-28

The closing night session in the House,
which ended at clock, on Thursday morn
ing, was marked by the scenes of disgsaceful
drunkenness and disorder which have be-
como common since the Democrats have been
the majority in that body.
Many of the Democratic members were 50
drunk as to he incapable of intelligent ap-
plication to business. Ii is stated that the
adjournment at the time set would have been
impossible but for the exertions Of Mr..
Riiney, one Of the eolOred members from
South Carolina, who attended to the engross-
ment of the sundry civil service appro 1ria-
ton bill. most of his associates in the confer
ence committee being incapacitated by ez-
cessive pOtatiOns.
As Mr.. Rainey hurried in with the bill,
the shout went up; "Rainey, you are worth
more now than ever before" The Speaker
warmly congratulated him. Mr.. Rainey Is
one of the colOred Republicans elected by
large majority. whom the Democrats desire
to unseat. 1t is said that he has been the
only member of this important COMMITTEES
who has thoroughly attended to his duties
and who could be relied upcn.
There was much disorder at times, and
repeatedly the confusion became so great
that the sergeant-at-arms was called upon to
preserve order. and for five or ten minutes
walked through the hall with his mace of
office, though his efforts to quell the tamuit
were received with shouts of laughter, some
of the members even throwing documents
at the officer.
A special despatch says that Brown, of In
diana, was so drunk that he had to be held
down in his seat to prevent him from in-
terrupting the order of business, and the
proceedings of the House upon the fishery
award were interrupted by Philadelphia
Democrat, Freeman, who had fingered too
long at his cups. The sergeant-at-arms
was sent to him many times, still he per-
sisted in interrupting the speeches by the
most ludicrous remarks. Speaker Randall
once lett the chair and personally endeayor-
ed to induce Freeman to respect the dignity
due the House.
Gen. Butler introduced a resolution d.
recting the clerk to prepare heavy gavel
for the use of the Speaker, to replace the
one worn ont in useless efforts to preserve
order. The House passed it, but at the rc-
quest Of the Speaker, who considered it
reflection upon him, rescinded it.
Tue suLtry civil bull as passed was COM
promise There was difference Of nearly
five millions of dollars between the House
and the Senate, and the conference commit
tee split the difference, in which shape the
bill went through. The fishery award
clause was agreed to after bitter opposi-
ton. and the Brazilian lobby, the NEST for
midable the Capital has seen for some time,
was overwhelmingly defeated.
Mr. COngei, of Michigan, sent up pre-
amble and resolution, providing for an
amendment to the Constitution of the United
States which should prohibit the payments
of all rebel claims, or the payments of all
claims To rebels living III the North during
the war, who could not prove their loyalty
The introduction of the re-Olution created
CONSERVATION on the Democratic side The
Southern members and Northern douyhfices
resorted to every possible expedient to pre-
vent a record vote upon the question, but II
was in vain, and they were compelled to
enter their names upDn ii. The resolution
passed, the vote standing ayes 40, nays 6l.
southern Democrats, when they did not
dodge, voted against the proposition.
The total number of bills introduced in
both Houses was 6.629, and of joint resOlu-
tions. which are in the nature OF laws, 2i3.
OF the bills over five thousand were intro
duced in the House.