Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-01-11
FORTY-FIFrH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
W ARLINGTON,

in ths presentation OF petition. from various parts
oil Ahe country, IN favor of the adopt on of sin
teenth amendment, prohibiting States from dis
ffanchislng persons oAacCount OF sex.
The petitions were all Ieferred
COnkling submitted u resolution instructing the
Judiciary committee TO inquire in regard to the
action taken by any depa tment or officer of gov
efnmen in lestoring Major Runkle to the army
lhe resolution was agreed 10.
Conklng also Submitted a resolution insttucting
the committee on naval afairs to inquire and re-
port In regard to the restoration of Dr. L. j. Dra-
per to the medical corIs
This resolution was agreed to.
Edmunds submitted n joint resolution propos-
ing an amendment to the constitution prohibiting
States from making appropriations for sectarian
purposes, the provisions OF which are similar TO
the amendment proposed during the session of
lS15-67.
Referred to the judiciary committee.
AFTER the morning hour the senate resumed the
consideration of the resolution Of Matthews, de-
ciarlng the right OF government to pay the prin-
clpal and interest OF bonds in silver aud coin.
Beck of Kentucky spoke in favor OF remoneti-
zation OF the silver dollar.
a large number of petitions were presented bv
various senators irom manufacturing companies
throug hout the country against any legislation IN
regard to the tariff laws until Congress shall have
asceraned by official inquiry the condition of the
industries of the country, and that legislation be
such as 10 promote the general business interests
Of the county.
committee.
Conkling presented memorial of the Alaska
Gold and Silver Mining Company, asking that
protection be afforded them 5 citizens to enable
them to prosecute business in Alaska, and that
Alaska be added to Orego for all judicial pur-
poses.
voorhees, of Indiana presented petition from
the citizens of Lynn, Mass, in favor OF the resto-
ration of the silver dollar of 4l2 IL grains and
that its coinsge be made as free the coinage of
gold.
Burnside entered motion to reconsider the
vote on the reference of the Runkle Iesolution to
the judiciary committee, as he desired its refer
ence to the military committee.
Sargent offered "A resolution that at the session
on Saturday the representatives of the wonals'
convention be heard in favor of suffrage for wo-
men.
Edmunds objected aud the resolution was laid
oyet for the present.
Dawes presented the resolution of the Boston
Board OF Trade against the reconciliation Of the
silver dollar and its unlimited coinage Referred
to the Finance Com.
Eaton of Conn, presented petition Of the cit-
zens of New Haven't praying for the passage of
law authorizing the coinage of silver dollars of
420 grains standard silver, that they may be made
legal tender for sums not exceeding $50. and that
an international commission be organized to fix
the relative value of gold and silver foreign
aud domestic exchanges. Referred to the FL
nance Com.
Eusis gave notice that when the silver bill
came before the Senate for consideration he would
offer substitute for it III accordance wi h the
above petition.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
resolution of Matthews, declaring the right of the
government to pay the interest and principal of
its bonds in silver.
Bayaid moved that when the Senate adjourn to-
day 1t be to meet Monday next.
Sargent said there was much committee WORK te
do, and thought the public business might be ex.
pedied by such an adjournment, but he felt it to
be his duty 10 oppose the motion, he desired to
have the resolution submitted by him this morn
ing, in regard to allowing the advocates of the
10th amendment TO present their argument before
the Senate considered tomorrow.
After short debate the resolution was reject
ec; yeas l3, nays 81
The s.nate at 5 o'clock adjourned until Mon
day
House.
House met at noon and roll was called and two
hundred and five members were present.
A resolution reported by Wood of the ways aud
means committee, prior to recess, directing inves
legations to be made into the management of
special departments, came up as first business.
Kelly asked unanimous consent to a resolution
ordering the session for Saturday to hear women
in aid of a constitutional amendment 10 grant
them suffrage.
Objection was made to the resolution.
bill was passed directing the Secretary of
State to afix the great seal OF the United states
TO the document entitled "The administrators of
United States government at the beginning Of its
second century.
The following bills were referred
BY Luttrel, prohibiting the employment of
Chinese or Mongolians on any public works of the
Uaited States also, to prevent naturalization of
Chinese or Mongoloians; also, to punish and pre-
vent the practice of polygamy in territories and
other places subject to exclusive jurisdiction of
the L nited States.
BY Cox for coinage of cent silver coin, and
discontinuance of cent nickel.
The motion to refer Woods resolution to the
Committee of the Whole State and Union was
then adopted.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole tor the consideration of the above lesolu-
ton.
Barchard offered an amendment, 80 rs to au-
tholize the committee to apply TO the House at
any time for such powers.
Wood opened the debate. He declared that he
personally knew of nothing that it intended
10 do beyond fair, legitimate, honest inquiry and
invest igetion, for the purpose of legislation, and
the purpose of instructng the House i'll discharge
of its legislative duties.
1t not designed to enter into wide cx-
tended attempt to inquire into the personal or pri-
yae character of any public official 1t was for
the purpose OF carrying out that power and au
thority which the constitution appears to impose
and impress upon the House Of Representatives to
inv estigate the conduct of public officers, looking
to perfect form of civil service and to laying the
foundations of impeachment, If the House should
deem fit to take that course.
His idea of the powers and the duties of the
House was that they were Coordinate with those
of the President and Senate in regard to the in
eumbency of public officers.
He said the resolution was in accordance with
the principles laid down in the Presidents mes
sage, and that the Investigations of the last year
had already improved some of the executive de-
partments.
Hale of Me-, offered as substitute a resolution
providing that whenever any COMMITTEES OF the
House shall ask for special and extraordinary
powers in regard to the time and conduct of its
meetings, the power to send for persons aud pa
pers, or any other extension of its power aud dn-
ties for the purpose of Investigating the conduct
of any officer of the government; the charges on
which such demand for an investigation lis based
shall be presented in wiring to the House, with