Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-05-15
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

/ MONDAY, May -Se7QtS.-SlOrtIV al
ter assembling, consideration was re-
sumed of the bill to prevent the intro
duction of contagious or infectious dis
eases into the United States. The bill
was recommitted for amendment. Mr..
Eaton introduced bill similar to that
of the house. to prohibit military inter-
ference at elections. Referred TO the
Judiciary committee. The bill extend
ing the time for special postal service
was passed and the senate adjourned.
MONDAY, May -House.-Under the
call of the states, n bill was introduced
by Mr.. Ladd to prohibit military inter
ferences at elections, and it was refer
red to the committee on Judiciary. The
| following is the text of the bill:
WHEREAS, The presence of troops at
the polls is contrary to the spirit of our
Institutions and the traditions of our
people, and tends to destroy the free
dom of our elections, therefore.
Be ii enacted, etc., That it shall not be
lawful to bring to, or employ at any
place where general or special elections
are being held in state. any part of
the army or navy of the United States,
unless such force be necessary to repel
armed enemies of the United States, or
to enforce section 4, article ", of the
constitution of the United States, and
laws made in pursuance thereof on ap-
pllcation Of the legislature, or the ex-
ecutlve of the state where such force is
to be used, and so much of all laws as
is inconsistent herewith, is hereby re-
pealed. A number of bills were intro
duced when the committee on the dis
trict of Columbia claimed the floor, and
further call of the states was postponed
until tomorrow.
TUESDAY, May 6-Senate- judi
ciary committee reported two amend
ments to the bill prohibiting the
use of the army at the polls. The first
provides that the prohibition against
bringing to, or employing troops at
polls shall not apply to the use of mill
tary forces when necessary to protect
the state against invasion. The other
amendment inserts the words: "When
the legislature cannot be cOnvened"-
after the clause which exempts from
prohibition the employment of the
army or navy to enforce the fourth
section of article four, of the conssitu-
ton, and laws made in pursuance
thereof, upon application of the legis-
lature or executive of the state. The
resolution authorizing taking of testi-
mony in relation to the claim of Spot
ford to the seat of Senator KELLOGG, was
considered. During the debate the bill
to prevent the use of the army at cleo
tions, just passed by the house, was
received and read first time when its
further consideration was objected to
and it went over. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, May 6-House.-The morn
ing hour was consumed in the intro
duction and reference of bills. The
senate amendments to the bills pro-
vldlng for certain expenses of the pres
ent session were concurred in.
Mr.: Knott reported back, without
amendment, the bill introduced yester-
day to prohibit military interference at
elections. Mr.. Robson offered substi-
tute making it unlawful to bring to or
employ at place where a nominal or
special election is being held in the
state, any part of the army or navy un-
less such employment shall be neces-
sary to carry out the provisions
of the constitution or overcome
forcible obstruction to the execution of
the laws made in pursuance thereof,
and making any violation of the act a
penal offence. This substitute is en-
titled: A bill to farther protect
the freedom of elections. Robe
sons substitute was defeated by
yeas SO, nays 121, only one greenbacker,
Ford, voted aye, while eight-De La
Matyr, Joiies, Ladd, Lowe, Murch,
Stevenson, Weaver and Yokum-voted
no. The republicans filibustered on
the bill to prevent Inference of troops
at election. All but Chittenden, Kelly,
Kellinger and Morton declined voting
while there were not enough democrats
present to constitute a quorum. The
reason for flibustering was q refusal to
allow COnser to offer an amendment.
A second call was ordered at 2.40 p. m :.
when fillibustering ceased and q vote
was taken on the bill, which was passed;
yeas 145, nays 80, strict party vote,
all greenbackers voting with the demo-
Gratis in the affirmative.
The house thereupon adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, May 7-Senate. The
house bill to prohibit military interfer-
ence in elections was read twice by a
vote of 24 against 81. The senate dis
agreed to the motion Of Mr.. Edmunds
to refer to the committee on judiciary,
and 1t was laid On the table TO be called
UP hereafter. Consideration was then
resumed of the resolution asking for
authority to take testimony IN the con-
tested case of Spoford against Kellogg,
and Carpenter continued his remarks
in support of Kellogg's right to tie seat.
WEDNESDAY, May 7-House. - The
house spent the whole session in dis
cussing Chalmers resolution relating to
his responsibility at the Fort Pillow
massacre during the war, and finally
laid the resolution on the table.
THURSDAY, May 8-Sendte. SEN
ate discussed the house bill relating to
the use of troops at the polls all day
and adjourned without reaching vote.
THURSDAY, May 8-House. bill
to enforce the eight hour law was taken
up as the business of the morning hour.
The bill was opposed by Mr.. Mcmillan
as not being In the interest of the toll
ing millions, but adverse to their in
terest. He moved as an amendment
that it shall not apply to the past. A
motion to reconsider the vote by which
the bill was laid on the table, and to lay
that motion ON the table resulted 127
yeas to Sc noes, thus efectually killing
the bill. The silver bill was taken up
Kimmell offered an amendment, fixing
the weight of the silver dollar at 46O
instead of4122 grains. Without action