Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-05-23
WASHINGTON, May 30.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Mcdonald asked leave to intro
duce a bill regulating the use OF the
army, OF which he gave notice last Tues
day.
Mr.. Edmunds asked whether the bill
was intended TO enlarge or diminish the
existing Constitutional powers Of the
Executive i'm the use of the army.
Mr.. Mcdonald said it properly regu-
lated the Presidents powers under the
Constitution. The bill will show for
itself whether it enlOrged or restrained
those powers.
Mr.. Edmunds wished TO know if, in
Mr.. McDOnald's opinion, its effect was
to repeal or only to define the existing
laws, and il he thought any legislation
on the subject necessary.
Mr.. Mcdonald said that the first three
sections under the title Of "insurrec-
ton, as they appear in the Revised
Statutes, were in his mind in offering
the bill. He desired to give his own
views at length on Monday.
Mr.. Edmunds thought no such legis-
latiOn was necessary. 1t did not look
10 the abatement OF any fault in the
existing laws, but he would not object
To the bill being introduced. The bill
was received and laid on the table and
Mr.. Mcdonald gave notice that he would
call it up Monday and speak thereon.
Mr. Wallace gave notice that he IN
tended 10 speak on the same subject
after the Senator from Indiana.
Nh. Edmunds gave notice that he
would speak on the same subject when
he could get the floor under the rules.
[ Laughter.
Tho Senate then up the bill to pre-
vent the introduction and spread of
contagious diseases.
Mr.. COckrell, by request, introduced
a bill to provide for the construction
and completion of certain trans-cOnu-
mental lines OF railway, and for other
purposes. Referred.
Mr.. Pendleton, from the Committee
on Indian Affairs, reported, with
amendments, Senate bill to authorize
the Secretary of the Interior to deposit
Indian trust funds in the United States
treasury i'm lieu of the investment.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Hereford, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported, without amend
ment, House bill authorizing the SeCre-
tarv of War 10 eXpend in the purchase
of lands required for the prosecution
of the improvement Of the Great
Kanawha and Kentucky rivers, such
portion as may be necessary OF last
years appropriations for those rivers.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Gordon, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported without amend
ment the Senate bill relative 10 the
transportation of animals. Placed on
the calendar.
Mr. Slator introduced bill to regu-
late intercourse with citizens OF the
Chinese Empire visiting or residing in
the United States. Ordered printed.
The morning hour having expired,
Mr. Harris called up the Senate bill to
prevent the introduction and spread of
contagious or infectious diseases, and
moved 10 ignore the original bill and
consider the substitute reported from
the committee may 9th.
Mr.. Harris said the committee had
tried tO frame a substitute TO conform 10
the wishes of the majority, as shown by
the objections to the original bill. He
also stated that the appropriation asked
for had been reduced from S65O,OOO to
500, 900, on account OF the removal OF
direction TO the board TO investigate the
diseases Of cattle.
Mr.. Logan thought that the purpose
contemplated by the bill might bc just
as well be accomplished by an amend
ment TO the law of 1873. He was op-
posed to giving such large powers to the
National Board of Health. EX-
perience teaches us that no bu-
reau created in this government
ever finishes its work and expires, but
absorbs more and more and becomes
permanent. He didn't see what use
was to be made of the S5O0,OOO appro-
priated. He would prefer National
Board Of Health TO an Advisory board
of experts, not an executive board.
Mr.. Harris said that in case OF repe-
tiuon of last years epidemic, S5OOOOO
would not be so great an amount
for necessary expenditures. If no cpl
demic occurred the money would not be
used,
Mr.. HOar moved to amend by striking
out the words, ANY contagious or in
fectious disease" and substitute the
words, cholera, yellow fever, plague,
smallpox and ship fever" He thought
there was danger in giving too great a
discretion to the Board, it might result
in vexatiOus interference with com
merce. The amendment was rejected; ;
yeas 20, nays so.
After some remarks by Mr.. Conkling,
Mr.. Edmunds expressed a wish to e1-
anime the bill more at length, and on
his motion, the Senate adjourned.