The Portland daily press., 1878-05-17
XLVth C0ngress-Regular Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. May 16.

Mr.. Maxey from the committee on postofices, re-
ported without amendment the Senate bill to pro-
vide for The establishment of steamship mail SER
vice between the United States and Brazil, being the
the bill introduced by Mr.. Eustis yesterday.
Mr.. Butler submitted a concurrent resolution pro-
viiing for commission Of two Senators, three mem
bers Of the House, and three officers of the regular
army who have served no less than 10 years. to whom
shall be referred the whole subject Of the reform and
reorganization of che army. Referred to the mill
tary committee
MIR. Anthony called up the House joint resolution
to print 600 copies Of the report Of the Commits
sioner of Agriculture for 1877 The committee on
printing reported an amendment to reduce the num-
Der to and also to print 4555 copies of the
ports of the colonial charters and constitution of the
United States.
lengthy discussion ensued.
The amendment OF the committee reducing the
number OF copies OF the report to 100000 was reject
ed.
The other amendment proposed by the committee
In regard printing the colonial charters agreed
to, with further amendment by Mr.. Hoar increas-
ing the number of copies to 5000. The joint resolu
ton was then passed.
The bill repeating the specie resumption act was
considered.
Mr.. Matthews read an argument upon the general
financial policy Of the government, and gave notice
that he would hereafter submit proposition OF his
own as an amendment to the pending bill. What
we needed not repeal of the specie resumption
act but to provide for the beginning of resumption
and to steadily maintain it. He favored coin re-
serve fund and expressen the opinion that under Or
binary circumstances such fund of 100000, 600
would be sufficient to maintain paper circulation
of $3O0,000,OO0 He then explained the amendment
Qn the nature Of eubsltute which he proposed for
the pending bill introduced by him on the 9Th OF
November last, providing for reissue of treasury
notes when redeemed, the amount OF legal tender
mot notes outstanding at any time not to exceed $780,
of 800 100000 that the bonds of the United States
shall be sold for legal heder notes and also that legal
tender notes shall be recoverable tor all debts public
and private. except the principal and interest Of the
public debt.
TIE Senate at 1856 adjourned until tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading of the journal, Mr..
Potter demanded the regular order, which W as the
seconding of the demand for the previous question
on the resolution for special committee on the al
legged election frauds
nays; whereupon the usual objection Of no quorum
voting was made by Mr.. Hale:
TeleTs were were ordered MI Potter and MT Hale
SO yeas and Messrs. Hale and Steele ia the mega
tive.
Mr.. Potter then moved call of the House.
Mr.. Page is 1t in order to move to postpone the
matter indefinitely, SO that the House may proceed
to the transaction of public business?
The Speaker (severely)-If the gentleman will vote
and help to make up aquorm, then that motion can
be made.
MT; Page (angriy)-That was not the question I
Calls for the regular order from the Democratic
side were made.
Mr.. Conger-I rise for parliamentary inquiry.
liamenlary inquiry is always in order.
The Speaker1The gentleman will state it,
time to raise the question OF consideration.
The Speaker-It is not.
Mr.. Sayler-The gentleman cetainly knows that
when no quorum is voting there are but two mo-
lions in order, and one Of them has just now been
made.
M Conger-I addressed myself to the Chair, not
to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio.
Mr.. Sayler-I addressed my self to the Chair and
also to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan.
The call of the roll was proceeded with, and 247
mempers ans ~efed, there being but % absentees.
Even Mr.. stephens OF Georgia, who on Monday got
leave OF absence tor week, was present in his
wheeled chair.
Further proceedings under the call being dispens-
ed with. Mr. Fort suggested to Mr.. Potter that the
regular order be laid aside and that the House pro-
coed to the consideration of the pension bill.
MI fotter-We are prepared to 60 on with the
are left without quorum by the wilful absence of
gentlemen on the other side, and demand the regu-
lar order.
The question required on seconding the demand
Tor the previous question, and on this vote the
developed the greatest strength they have
yet shown. The report Of the tellers was 1873 yeas
The usual cry of s'no quorum Mr.. Speaker" COM
ing from the Republicans, another call of the House
This call disclosed the fact that there were 1853
members present, and % absent.
The question again required on seconding the de-
maud for the previous question, with the result of
lo6 atiimatives to one negative.
During the voting MIR. Conger stationed himself
close 10 the telers with slip of paper for the pur-
pose as he stated of making note OF such Demo
Gratis as voted notwithstanding the fact that thew
were paired
On the announcement of the vote Mr.. Banks said
propose to the gentleman from New York that we
suspend action on this resolution until Saturd ~ in
order TO go on with the appropriation bills. quo
rum, as am informed, VIII then be present and the
resolution can be disposed Of
Mr.. Potter-Let me ask the gentleman whether if
we do as he proposes, his side will be prepared to
vote on this question when it comes up Saturday
Mr.. Banks-I am unable to answer-I make the
proposition on my own. responsibility, because the
an1r fhnf fha in hnein cnol ha,
tended to.
Nr. Potter-will you help to make quorum.
Mr. Banks-I am informed that the gentleman's
friends will be able to dispose of this question in
their own way to their satisfaction by Saturday, so
propose to suspend action till then.
Mr.: Potter-It am assured that the gentlemen on
the other side will vote this question Saturday,
Will be willing to go with the other business
Mr.. Hale-Ihe gentleman can either accept or de-
cline.
MIR. Stephens indicated desire to speak, but was
met with cries OF Irregular order" from the Demo-
MT. Wait OF Connectcut-Will not the gentleman
On Ine other side let Mr. Stephens speak?
inr, Stephens-I ask consent to be heard for three
Cries of Irregular order' from the Democratic side,
anu aan III objection on this side' by the Republi-
,a MT p4 9h would afford great pleasure to
yleia 70 tne gentleman from Georgia if were per-
journ. NN0"'N IVA
Agreed to, al to 1l6.
The Speaker submitted the REQUESTS of three
members for leave Of absence, but Mr.. Hooker oh.
Jected unless coupled with the condition that their
rum.
The Speaker stated that that amounted to an OBJ
lection.
The suggestion that Mr.. Stphens desired to make
was that the demand OF the previous question shou Id
be voted down. and that all amendments propos ng
to carry out the proposed investigation in its fullest
extent should be admitted.
1t will be observed that on the last vote the Demo-
Gratis numbered 141 and as Mr.. Morse of Massachus-
etts voted on the other sde they have 142 members
present-Withn five Of quorm.