Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-04-11
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
Senate.

among Ihe measures offered IN the Senate
were bills by Mr.. Grover extending the time
Tor the construction and equipment OF the
Northern Pacific railroad; by Mr. Johnston,
to authorize the national board of health to in
vestigate the infectious and contagious diseases
OF animals; by Mr.. Window, to repeal so much
of the last sundry civil bill as authorizes the
secretary of war to release The Moline water
works at Rock Island q resolution by Mr..
Cameron providing for an inquiry into the ex-
pediency OF purchasing the portrait OF Cicilius
Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, by Van
dyke, and that Of Washington, by Peale; bills
by Mr.. White, limiting the removal of causes
from State to Federal courts, and by Mr.. Ker-
nan TO authorize the secretary of war to detail
an officer Of the army to take command of the
expedition fitted out by Messrs. Morrison and
Brown, OF New York, to search for the records
OF Sir John Franklins expedition -. After dis
cussing bill authorizing the secretary of the
treasury to contract for the construction of a
retigerating ship for the disintection OF vessels
and cargoes, and appropriating 100000 for
that purpose, the Senate adjourned.
Mr.. Gordon having appeared for the first time
this session, the modified oath of Office was
administered to him, and he resumed his seat
49, The Senate resumed consideration of the
bill making an appropriation of $200,000 for
the construction of steel vessel to be used
for the diSiniecGon of vessels and cargoes COM
ing from ports supposed TO be infected with
yellow fever or other contagious diseases. Mr.
Harris ofiereda substitute to meet the objection
OF Senators to the general bill, authorizing the
secretary OF the treasury to contract for the
purchase or construction Of vessel provided
with retrigerating apparatus for the purpose
named, or arrange with the navy department
for the use of vessel If the construction of
vessel shall be recommended by the national
board OF health, the work shall be- done under
an officer OF the State engineering bureau of
the navy department. Two hundred thousand
dollars are appropriated to carry the act into
effect. The bill was passed. Adjourned
After the introduction OF several bills and
resolutions, Mr.. Hoars resolution declaring the
action of the last House and the alleged plan
Of the present Congress in regard to appropria-
ton bills unconstitutional came up, and was
laid on the table by vote OF IS to 20-a strict
party vote -. Mr. Salisbury, from the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, reported
adversely on the credentials of Charles H.
Bell as senator from New Hampshire, and Mr.
Hoar presented the views of the minority in
favor of admitting Mr.. Bell. Executive ses-
sion and then adjournment
Mr.. Paddock introduced Joint resolution to
authorize the appointment of three Senators
and three members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives as a commission to devise a plan for
lllc IbCUnSlIuCllOu VI Tic department OI ARI1-
culture, with view of extending its iurisdc-
ton and increasing its efficiency, with power
to send for persons and papers, and to report
at the next session of Congress. Mr. Paddock
also introduced u bill to establish a national
board OF agriculture; referred to the Com
mittee on Agriculture Adjourned, after an
executive session.
House.
MIR Springer presented the memorial OF
olnt En-, hn,y lno H. AL
representative from the Ninth congressional
district of Iowa on the fifth of November 1878.
Referred to the committee on elections "
Consideration of the army appropriation bill
was resumed Mr.. Tucker submitted an
amendment to repeal section l,2l8 OF the
revised statutes. This is the section which
prohibits the appointment to the army of any
person who served III any capacity in the mill
tary, naval or civil service of the Confederate
States Mr., Conger raised point of order
against the amendment on the ground that it
was new legislation and not gernane to the
bill. He afterward withdrew the point of
order, but it was renewed by Mr.. Sparks, and
sustained by the chair. The consideration of
the bill having been concluded, with the excep-
ton of section six, repeating the statutes allow
ing the military to preserve the peace at the
polls, that section was read. Mr.. Conger rose
to point of order that the section changed ex-
listing law and did not retrench expenditures.
After prolonged discussion the House adj
journed.
Debate was continued on the clause in the
army appropriation bill forbidding the presence
of troops at the polls. Mr.. Congers point of
order that the clause was new legislation and
not in the interest of retrenchment was over
ruled by the chairman. Mr.. Conger appealed
from the decision, but the House sustained the
ruling by vote of 1875 to l07 General Gar
field then took the floor and presented the
Republican case in a long speech. Messrs.
Stephens and Mcmahon were the principal
speakers on the Democratic side. Adjourned.
Mr.. Atkins reported the legislative appro-
priation bill. 1t appropriates between SIS, 000,-
900 and $l6,000,000. Under the judicial head
it contains provision repeating the last clause
OF section 800 of the revised statutes which
applies to the State of Pennsylvania and Sec
tons SOL, 800 and 82l of the revised statutes,
and providing that all Jurors, grand and petit
shall be publicly drawn from box containing
the names of not less than 300 persons possess
ing the necessary qualifications, which names
shall have been placed therein by the clerk of
the court and commissioner, to be appointed
by the Judge, which commissioner shall be a
citizen residing in the district, and shall be a
well-known member of the principal political
party opposing that to which the clerk shall
belong. 1t also repeats sections 2,0l6, 2,0l8
and 1920, and all the succeeding sections down
to and including 2,027, and also section 1922,
1t also strikes out of section 2,0l9 the words
"for the purpose of engaging in the work of
canvassing the ballots" and strikes out OF Sec
ton 2,028 the words cor deputy marshal"
and the words city, town, county, parish"
1t also repeats section 2,03l except such part
of il as relates to the pay of supervisors of
elections, 1t repeats all other sections and