The Portland daily press., 1879-04-17
XLVI CONGRESS--IST SESSION.
SENATE.

WASdlNGTON, april
The first act of Mr.. Thurman, on becoming acting
president Of the Senate, was to remove old clerk
He will remove all others not of his own party be-
fore MIR. Wheeler returns.
Among the Senate officials who have been notified
that they must retire. that Democrats may have
their places, is Edward Fenno of Augusta, Me who
has been several years keeper of stationery.
Bills introduce and referred:
By Garland, to amend certain section vf the Re-
vised Statutes iu regard to the navy.
By Kellogg, to provide for the establishment of a
steamship mail service between the United States
and Brazil.
By Mcdonald, to prevent frauis in the entry of
lands.
Senate resumed consideration of the army bill and
Mr. Beck continued his remarks.
Alter sharp colloqay between Hoar and Beck on
the latters previous speech, Dawes took the floor.
After speaking few minutes he yielded to Butler
of South Carolina, who stated that Wade Hampton
was present aud ready to take his seat
Hampton, who was ON crntches,w was then sworn in,
taking the modified oath.
Mr.. Eaton, during Dawes speech inquired if Web
ster had not called this confederation of states.
When Dawes concluded lively passage on. this
subject took place between Blaine and Eaton, the
former quoting Webster as saying, "This is not
contederacy Of states but nation"
Mr.. Withers said he would ask the Senate to have
longer session till the army bill was disposed of,
and stated that it was desirable that vote be had
before the middle of next week.
Senate then went into executive session and when
the doors were reopened adjourned
HOUSE.
Under the call of committees, Mr.. Stephens chair
man of the committee on coinage reported bill for
the interchange of subsidiary for legal tender in
sums of $40 and multiples, making such coin legal
tender for all snms not exceeding 500.
The bill is based upon petitions referred to the
committee.
MIR. Conger rased point of order that no bill on
the subject had been referred to the committee and
the committee had no right to make report
The morning hour expired before action on the
bill and it went over until tomorrow.
Some annoyance was shown by members of the
committee on banking that petitions on which the
bill was based had not been referred to the commit
tee
Alter discussion of the amendment repeating the
act creating the Southern Claims Commission, and
to transfer its to the court of claims 1t was re-
jected.
The House went into committee of the whole on
the legislative appropriation bill.
Discussion on the amendment abolisbing the
claims commission was continued by Messrs. Sprin-
ger and Keifer.
The amendment 10 provide for an additional attor-
ney general for the post Office department was re-
1ected.
At 2.3O the committee had disposed of the bill wit
the exception of the portions especially reserved for
general discussion being the provisions respecting
the mode of selecting jurors repeating the Jurors test
oath and respecting supervisors and deputy mar
shals.
Mr.. White of Pennsylvania raised point of order
against the provision which repeals the test OATH
Mr.. Robinson of Massachusetts supported the
point.
Mr.. Atkins opposed it and the chairman ruled it
out on technical grounds.
An unsuccessful attempt was made to limit the
time for debate 1t appeared there were 81 names on
the list of those who desired to speak.
Mr. Lewis of Alabama spoke denouncing the re-
cent jury system South. He denied that the South
was "soid" for any Illegal any unconstitutional
purpose.
Mr.. Sanford of Alabama argued In favor of repeal
ing the test oath.
Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania obtained the floor but
yielded for molten, which was adopted, that the
rise. |
Mr.. Gibson of Louisiana offered resolution to in
,rease the membership of the committee on Misss-
p pi levees to 10. Referred.
Adjourned.