The Portland daily press., 1878-12-18
After the expiration of the morning hour the SEN

After the expiration of the morning hour the SEN
Mr.. Merrimon of North Carolina read prepared
speech in reply to Mr. Blaine's. He spoke in favor
Of peace harmony and breaking down Of all sectional
feuds.
Mr. Wallace said that he would have arrayed the
Democrats Of the Senate sody against this resolu-
people were sick of sectional and political agitation.
The 18th amendment to the Constitution had been
construed by the Supreme Court and the remedy
whco these resolutions proposed could not lawfully
be applied. No good could come from agitation. 1t
was not true as charged by the Senator from Maine,
That 80 M have been gwen 10 the South since
only added 90. They had misrepresentation for
three-ffths OF the coored vote before. The figures
population ami not upon the voters, and the same
irregularities that he (Blaine) pointed out in the
Condition Of The south was inntey betIer than 1--WE
progress through which the capacity of the negro for
self-goyernment could be fully tested.
Mr.. Baine's amendment offered Monday, author
ling the committee to take testimony to administer
euea visit in nj sSa taan Try
object ofinquiry: was agreed to Without division.
The question then beng the passing of the resou
reasons for voting against the resolution.
Mr. B,aine argued that great good would come
had asked Northern Senators to believe that more
quickly than Saul was converted on his journey
from Damascus, vast bodies OF colored voters were
migration did not seek the South? Because the feel
ing among Immigrants was that they would not be
welcome siI, More Northern men had left the South
enemy Of the South and never gave an ilberal vote
respecting that section. 1t was the Southern men
themselves who built wall Of fire around that coun.
try.
Mr.. whyte said he really admired the manner in
which theldstinguished Senator from Maine preach
ed, but he Was like the guide post he pointed the
way but never went there himself. Could not a
negro be found North 70 send heIe to Congress to
faith in their political Moody. he would rather
believe in their practices than in their professions
Let these political questions be postponed until the
Presidential election and then we would have a
chance at the Senator (Mr. Blaine) himself
Mr.. Morgan made lengthy. speech in opposition
to the resolution and said that he supposed the Sena
tor lMr. Blalne) under parliamentary usage would
be chairman Of the special committee.
MI Blaine said that he had already announced
that he would not accept the craftsmanship.
Mr. Morgan continuing his remarks hoped that the
Sen ate might not except the Senator. He for one
would vote against e4cusing him. Let him father
this investis alton which belonged to no one else.
The resolution of Blaine as amended was agreed to
! the resolution as passed reads as follows:
Resolved, That a select committee to consist Of
nine senators TO De appointed BY the chair TO enquire
lions the constitutional rights of American citize
were violated in any of the states of the Union and
whether the right of suffrage of ctizens of the Unite
states or any class OF such citizens was denied or
abridged by the action OF the election officers of any
state Of the United States in RETAINING receive
their votes, IN failing to count them or in receiving
and counting OF fraudulent ballots In pursuance OF
conspiracy to make the law ul OF such citizens
Of no effect and whether sucn cIzens prevent
Cd from exercising the elective franchise forced
use It against their wishes by violence threats
hostile d. monstration Of armed men or other organ
| izations by any unlawful means or practice. The
committee shall also enquire whether any citizen of
any state has teen dismissed threatened with dis
mssa' from employment deprivation of any right or
privilege by reason of his vote or intention t. vote
the recent election, has been otherwise ntertered
with, and to inquire whether in the year 1878 money
was raised bS assessment or otherwise upon federal
office hOldes or employees for election purposes, and
under what circumstances and by what means, and
| ii SO, what amount raised, and how the same
| was expended, and further whether such assess
mens were or not in violation of the law and shall
| further enquire into the action and conduct Of
United Sta'es supervisors of elections in the several
states and as to the number of marshals, deputy
marshals and Others employed to take part IN the
| ed, the amount Of money paid to them, and how OF
BY whom and under what law authorized.
Resolved, That the committee be further instruct
ed to enquire and report whether it is in the COM
potency of Congress to provide by additional esis
lation tor the more perfect security Of the right oil
SUIT age TO citizens of the United States in all the
| states OF the Union.
Resolved, That 10 prosecuting these inquiries the
committee shall have the right by itself or by any
70 if per Of to
portion of the country when such visit may in their
Judgment facilitate the object Of the inquiry.
The Vice President submitted message from the
President in answer to the resolution Of Senator
Ferry, adopted the 9Th nst transmitting the re-
ports the Secretary of State and Postmaster Gem
era 10 regard 10 postal and commercial intercourse
between tnis and South American countries. Or
dered to be printed and laid on the table,
| Mr.. Eustis SAID that number of citizens of Lou
isiana had arrested for alleged violation of the
Jaws of the Uued States at the last election, that
IT, for violating what is known as the test law That
law had been repeated, but had been put in the Re-
vised Statutes by mistake At the last session
bill passed the House to remove 1t from the statutes
which bill was referred to the Committee Revision
Of tue Laws 10 the Senate. he hoped the chairman
Ut the COMMITTEES would call it up soon.
The House resolution providing for holiday re-
4 "a yuQ mi ad an ma IN oluf tho o,I
Senate and furtner amended BY the casting vote Of
the Vice President to date from Friday, Dec 2oth
Tuesday, Jan 7tb, instead of from Dec 21st to Jan,
| 9Th, as 1t passed the House.
The Senate went into executive session and when
| the doors were reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
| The Geneva Award BiII-Passaxe of the
Postal Mail Deficiency Bill.
Mr.. Watt of Connecticut introduced a bill for
| the improvement of the Thames River and Ston-
| ngton harbor. Referred.
The House resumed the Geneva award bill.
Mr.. Keifsr o., Ohio favored the majority report.
| Messrs. BurchaId, Monroe, Humphrey, Chitten-
| den and Lutttei spoke in favor Of the minority
Mr. Chittenden said as to what WAS to be tho
final disposition of 49, O0OO 900 100000 to which
| the United States had no tight he las member Of
never BY any. act Of his touch one cent of that
| money until that question was decided. He was in
favor of sending all the award in the possession OF
the government where the fisheries award had gone.
/ 1t would be grand act and the more so
because the United States had been euchred at
| Halifax.
Further consideration of the bill was postponed
and the House went into committee of the whole on
the bill appropratDg $45O0O0 to meet the deficiency
IN the appropriation for postal mail service and pro-
hbng any increase in the postal car service during
| the present year.
Mr.. Boont of Georgia charged the -postofdce
department with responsibility for the deficiency
saying it had increased the service beyond what
Congress contemplated. Mr.. Hale defended the
department. Then sprung up the old fight
| on economy the Democrats making their usua
claim TO immense reductions ofexpenditures and the
Republicans showing that these reductions were
Foster, Clymer, Bo1nt, Hewitt and BuTchard
participated. The discussion having closed the
l mittee proceeded to consider the bill tor amend.
| ments. None Of them were accepted and the COM
l mittee rose. rennrted the bill and nassed il