Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-04-24

message in 1853, to show that the Democratic
doctrine had then guarded the independence
of the Executive as q wholesome check on
legislation. He declared that system Of
terrorism prevailed in the South, which is
now resulting in the migration theretrom OF
people whose labor is necessary to cultivate
the fields. He alleged that the the Demo-
Gratis expected. by this legislation, to fraudu-
lently control the election of the next Presi-
dent. Mr.. Beck followed, saying the South
to-day was represented by men who were the
peers of any gentlemen on the other side.
The Democracy was warned Of the appeal to
Cesar. They intended to appeal to the peo-
rle before c esar comes before the Rubicon
is crossed and the cry is "Allea jactata eat !?
1t is to prevent Caesar from coming that they
desire the soldiers to be taken from the polls.
Mr.. Beck continued at considerable length,
defending the Democratic party from the ac-
cusations of its opponents, and declared that
they were true friends Of the colored race.
He argued earnestly against the danger OF
relying on the army to enforce the laws, say
ing that the best warrant for making and
maintaining just laws was San enlightened
public opinion.
In the House, Immediately after the read
ing of the journal, the Speaker proceeded to
call committees for reports. The only report
submitted was from the committee on ac-
counts relative to committee clerks. This re-
port was adopted, and the House proceeded
to the consideration of the Senate bill for the
purchase or construction of refrgerating
shin for the disinfection Of vessels and car
goes. Mr.. Chalmers, rising to question OF
privilege, asked for an investigation ny the
House of his conduct at the battle Of Fort
Pillow. He made the request because Of cer-
tain uncomplimentary illusions made to him
by Congressman Butterworth in recent
speech at Cincinnati. Action on the request
was deferred for day OF. two. The House
then, in committee Of the whole, took up the
legislative and appropriation bill. hepend-
ing question being Mr.. Bragg's motion to in
sert clause repeating the law creating the
Southern Claims Commission, and substl-
tute therefor offered by Young, of Tennessee,
abolishing the Commission, but transferring
all claims now pending before it to the Court
of Claims, an animated debate followed,
which was participated in by Mr.. Bragg, who
advocated his proposition, and by Mr.. Kiefer,
of Ohio, who claimed that the Court should
not be interfered with, but allowed to die by
limitation, as it would do in March, 1880,
and by Messrs. Atkins, Baker, Young of Ten
nessee, White, Garfield and others. The dis
cussion ranged into general question of the
payment of the Southern claims and the
manner thereof. Finally, Mr.. Bragg's amend
ment was rejected by vote of % to ll2.
Mr.. Springer offered an amendment abolish
ing the Southern Claims Commission and
providing that any person who may have
claims against the United States of which the
Court of Claims would not now have jurisdic,
ton, but founded on equity and Justice and
not barred by Limitation, may file his plea in
the Court of Claims. 1t further provides
that the court shall report its finding to Con-
gress and Congress shall not allow or author
ize the payment of any, private claim not
payable under the existing law until the
claim has been investigated by the Court Of
Claims. Debate followed and the committee
rose without action.
In the Senate on the 10Th, the eonsidera.
ton of the army bill was resumed. Mr..
Beck said the Democrats were determined on
their first access to power to repeal all laws
passed in time of war unsuitable to the time
of peace, and forming dangerous precedents
which would become the fundamental princi-
Piles Of our system Of government if left
alone. He quoted freely from historical au
thorities to show the pernicious results of
military interference with civil functions, and
to refute the assertion of Mr.. Hoar that mon
ey had not been withheld by the Commons to
force the Kings consent to legislation. He
said rather than have the army used as it had
been. and as it might be again, he would ia.
vor its abolition, and establish militia. Mr..
Dawes followed in opposition to the pending
measure. During his speech, he yielded to
Mr.. Butler, of South Carolina, who stated
that his colleague, Wade Hampton, was pres
ent, and ready to take his seat Mr.. Hamp-.
ton, on crutches, was led forward by Mr..
Butler, and sworn in by the President pro
tem., Mr.. Thurman, taking the modified oath.
In the House, under the call Of commit
tees, Mr. Stephens, of Georgia, chairman Of
the committee on coinage, weights and meas
ures, reported bill for the interchange Of
subsidiary coin for legal tender money in
sums of ten dollars and multiples thereof,
and making such coin legal tender in all
sums not exceeding twenty dollars. The re-
port of the committee states that the bill is
based upon petitions referred to the commit
tee. Mr.. Conger, of Michigan, raised the
point of order that no bill on the subject had
been referred to the committee, and that
therefore the committee had no right to make
a report. The House, in committee of the
whole, resumed the consideration of the legis-
lative appropriation bill. After discussion,
the amendment to repeal, after March, 1880,
the acts creating the Southern Claims Com
mission, and to transfer to the Court Of
Claims all cases then pending before the com.
mission, was rejected. The committee dis
posed of all the bill except the portions spe-
cially reserved for general discussion, being
the provisions in respect to the mode Of Sc
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