The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-05-10
Congressional Proceedings.


FRiBAT.-~In the Senate Mr.. cohesion in
trodnced a bill amendatory Of the Texas Pa
cihe railroad act so as 10 take some OF the
lands granted TO il and vest them in the
Southern Pacific Railway Company, and pro-
yidins for the junction Of the two roads al FL
Paso. Referred to the committee on rail
ways. Mr.. Garland spoke in favor Of the bill
to prevent the introduction Of contagious dis
eases into the Uniled States, after which the
Senate adjourned until Mouday next. The
House was not in session.
SATuRDAY,-1he Senate was not in session.
la the House Mr.. Stephens reported = bill
to enabled importers TO use the metric system
Of weights and measures. lie stated that the
bin had been prepared by business man Of
New York, and had received the sanction Of
the commercial men Of the country. The re.
mainder Of the session was spent in consider
ing the bill amending the statutes IN relation
10 coinage and coin and bullion certificates.
MoSDAY.-In both houses Of Congress, the
bill agreed upon by the democratic caucus to
prevent military interference in elections was
introduced and referred to the Judiciary com
mittees.
In the Senate, after debate, the bill 10 pre-.
vent the Introduction Of contagious diseases
into the United States was recommitted to the
select committee on the subject.
Ia the House, large number Of bills were
introduced, among them one by Mr.. kimmel
for the purchase Of site for new posioiiice
in Baltimore. The remainder of the session
was devoted TO debate on the bill for the con
struciioH Of free bridge across the Potomac
river, at or near Georgetown. at an expense
Of : $4,000.
TrEsDAY-ln the Senate, the bill prohibit.
ing the use Of troops at the polls was reported
back from the Judiciary committee with amend
menis. The amendments consist ofthe words
''protecl the State against INVASION" and the
substitution Of the words "When the Legisla.
ture cannotbe convened" for the words "Ehero
such force is to be used" The resolution
authorizing the taking Of testimony on the
memorial Of Mr.. Spoford, who contested the
seat Of Mr.. Kellogg, of La, was debated at
length, but no conclusion was reached. The
President pro TEN. announced the reception
Of House bill To prohibit military interference
at elections, and it was read the first time.
Mr.. Edmunds objected TO its second reading,
so the bill went over.
In the House a large number Of bills were
introduced, after which Mr.. Knott reported
back fro the Judiciary committee, without
amendment, the bill introduced on Monday to
prohibit military interfe encs ut elections.
An amendment from the republican side was
voted down-yeas 90. NAYS l2i. Fillibuster
ing by republicans ensped, when Mr.. Conger
was debarred from offering an amendment,
but vote was fnall' reached and the bill
was paSsed-yeas III, nays 30, strict party
vote, all the greenbaekers present IN voting
with the democrats.
WEDxEspAY.-In the Senate, the bill to
prevent military interference at elections was
read a second time, after which Mr. Ed
munds moved to refer it to the judiciary com.
mitiee, but this was rejected by party vote,
and the bill was then, on a motion from the
democratic side, laid on the table, to be call
ed up hereafter. The resolution empowering
the Judiciary committee to take testim ony in
the case OF Mr.. SpoGord, who contests the
seat of Senator Kellogg, was, after long de-
bate, adopted, with an amendment instruct
ing the committee to inquire whether bribery
or other corrupt or unlawful means were used
TO secure the alleged election Of Mr.. Spohord.
The Senate then took up the House bill to
prohibit military interference at the polls,
after which the body adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Chalmers, Of Miss,
made statement of the Fort Pillow massa.
ere, and denied the charges Of inhumanity
attributed to him and his commanding officer,
hen' y. d. FORREST Inc Dlil directing tue
executive officers of the government to carry
out the eight.hour law OF 1868 was debated at
some length; after which the bill amending
the laws in regard to coinage and coin and
bullion certificates was further considered
THrRsDAY.-h the Senate Mr. Morgan
made lengthy speech in favor of the bill to
prohibit military interference at the polls, and
Mr.. Edmunds had the floor for speech on
the same subject to-day.
10 the House the bill to enforce the law
making eight hours days work for govern.
ment employees was killed by the adoption of
a motion to lay it on the table. The remain.
der of the session was spent in debate on the
bill to amend the laws relating to coinage and
coin and bullion. Mr.. kimmel offered an
amendment increasing the weight Of silver
dollar from Az! grains to 400 grains.