The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-13
CONG r E s 10 AL



WASHINGTON. May Is. johnson In
troduced bill to levy by Moffett bel
punch a tax on liqucrs in all places and
districts where intoxicants are sold by the
drink. Referred.
Morrill, presented a petition Of half
dozen mechanics of Boston favoring repeal
of eight ho1r law. They declared it is
unjust to pay workmen employed by the
government as much for eight hours work
as other workmeu receive for ten hours.
Referred.
At the expiration of the morning hour
the post Office appropriation bill was taken
up. Conover of the committee of post
Office and post roads reported amendments
to the post Office appropriation bill author
izing the Postmaster General to advertise
for carrying mails between San Francisco,
Sydney, Sandwich Islands, and Hong
Kong touching at Yokohama and pay
therefore not exceeding $50 per mile. Re
ferred
The president pro tenn laid before the
senate communication from the secre-
tary Of of war, calling attention to the fact
that payment of claims for bounty and
arrears of pay due discharged soldiers will
cease the 301h of June next unless neces-
sary money be appropriated Referred
HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D. c., May l3.-The
vote ordering the main question on
inter state commerce bill was reconsidered
and bill went over.
Lapham introduced joint resolution
recitiug the danger to which the country
may be subject by threatened raids OF
Sitting Bull and across the Mexican border
and authorizing the president, ii he deems
it necessary during recess to increase the
army by enlistment of volunteers not tc
exceed rs, 900.
Potter. as question of privilege, pre-
sented the following preamble and resolu
ton:
WHEREAS, The state of Maryland has
by its legislature, formally declared that
due effect was not given to the electora
vote cast by the state on the sixth day o
December, 1876, by reason of iraudulen
returns In electoral votes from the states
of Florida aud Louisiana, and
WHEREAS, An affidavit by Samuel B
/ McLin, chairman of the board of stat
canvassers of the state of Florida, for The
election held in that state in November
1876, for electors for president and vic
president has been made public. alleging
false and fraudulent returns for votes 10
such electors In that state, whereby tn,
choice of the people of that state wa
anuulled and revised, and that action 0
the board of state canvassers makiDg such
returns was infueaced by conduct ant
promises of Hon. Edward +. Noyes, nov
minister to the government OF France, ant
WHEREAS, It is alleged q conspirac
. existed in the state OF Louisiana whereof
i, republican votes in all precincts of parish
: of East Feliciana and In some precincts 0
West Feliciana at the general cleo
: t;on in November, 1876, was purposel
withheld from polls to afford pretext fo
exclusion by the board of that state, of vot
cast in those precincts for electors OF pres
tideut and vice president, and that Jas. L
Anderson, supervisor OF registration c
East Feliciaua, and ID. A. Weber, super
visor OF registration in parish of Wes
Feliciana in that state, in furtherance 1
that conspiracy. falsely protested that tn
election in such precincts had not bee
fair and free and that the state returnin
hoard therefore falsely and fraudulent
excluded votes of said precincts, and
means thereof and Of other false an
fraudulent action by said returnin
hoard the choice of the peopl
was annulled and reversed; that such actio
r | of said Weber aud Anderson was induce
: or encouraged by assurances of Hon
John Sherman. secretary of the treasar
of the United States, and
WHEREAS. The gravity of thes
lcbarees. the nature of the evidence upo
which they are reported to be based. an
i official dignity and position of person
> named in connection with said frauds Ii. al
1T + proper the same should be inquired nt
at to the end that the honor of the natio
h NAV be vindicated and truth as to sue
le aIections made known, therefore be it
We Pesolved. That select committt
leonsisting of eleven members of this hous
he appointed to inquire into the aforesa
allegation as to the conduit of persons
office aforesaid in respect Of said election
: and into alleged false and fraudulel
/ canvass and return of votes by the stat
connfy. parish and precinct officers
sa;d states of Louisiana and Florida al
into all facts which in the judg
Imeut of said. committee are COZ
lneeted with or pertinent there