The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-25
XLVI CONGRESS--IST SESSION.
SENATE.

pension of Col Fletcher Webster, the only surviving
representative of Daniel Webster Referred.
There was a large gathering of spectators to hear
Mr. Conkling speak in the army bill discussion MIR.
Wallace's resolution occupied the morning hour,
after which the army bill came up. MIR. Conkling
began by saying that Of 1926 200 revenue collect
ed during The last year, 1921 10000 came from q
states, Sl3oOo.OoO from Alabama, Arkansas Florida
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, of
which $6,5o0,000 was from the tobacco tax in Vir-
ginia. Both Houses are now Democratic and no
proposition will be heard to change the existing reve-
nue. laws. This vast revenue collected to pay PEN
sions made necessary by the rebellion.
Mr.. Conkling made an entirely new point which
was complete surprise to the Democrats. He
showed that the act of 1865 relative to preserving
peace ct the polls which the Democrats seek to re-
peal these appropriation bills confers no power to
authorize soldiers to go to the polls; that the act of
1865 is itself penal restraining act containing no
authority, and that the power of the general govern
meDt to interpose in the states depends upon the
Constitution, and the act Of 1875, signed by George
Washington and contained in section 559s of the Re-
vised Statutes Under the Constitution the Presidents
hands would not be tied even if this political legsa-
ton should be enacted in the appropriation bills
The Democratic leaders, he said, had managed their
party into predicament and would fail. 1.-THE
Executive remains firm, and should Congress ad-
journ, he hoped they would be called back as often
as need be- until they Ielinquished their monstrous
pretensons and abandon their reasonable purpose.
In the course of his speech Mr.. Conklng plainly in
dictated that he would support General Grant il
1880. Speaking of the threatened riots in New York
in 1870 and of Grants matches courage Mr.. Conk-
ling said: "When next New York has occasion to
his action in 1870 tou~hing peace in the City of New
York will not be hidden away by those who espouse
him wisely There suppressed applause in the
galleries.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Conkng's speech Mr..
Blaine moved to strike out the sixth section of the
bill. Rejected.
Mr.. Blaiue then offered his amendment previ1nsy
offered and Withdrawn by him. providing that armed
persons be not allowed within mile of the pollin
place.
Mr.. Baine in supporting his amendment said he
had graduated the penaltee to correspond with those
imposed in the bill upon soldiers for being present at
the polls and its rejection would mean that anybody
could go armed to the polls, but not to keep the
peace.
MIR. Eaton thought the country would not SO I'M
derstand it. States were able to protect their
voters.
Mr.. Blaine-The melancholy fact is they do not
protecc them. Testimony shows that fact.
Mr.. Voorhees, said the amendment was adrotly put
and made for political purposes. He should vote
agrinst it. He regarded the proposed amendment as
attempt to legslate by Federal authority upon
purely state matter. States conld and should be
trusted to protect their own voters.
| Blaine-I understand the gentleman Is opposed
even to Federri supervisors without power to act.
Voorhees-Yes sir; everything in the shape or
name of supervisors would vote against them if
had chance
Mr.. Baine-why doesn't the Senator vote? Is
not he free man?
Mr.. VooIhees-If the 8 enator doubts and wants to
put it to the test he can find out.
| Mr. Blaine-What does that mean?
Mr.. Voorhees, mean I am free in my actions
toward the Senator from Maine, free as member Of
my own party and tree in that will not be cate
chised as to my relations with my own party.
| Mr.. Baine's amendment was then rejected by a
strict party vote.
l Mr.. Window submitted a similar amendment
Mr.. Window moved to strike out the word "civ
SO it would read emo military or naval officer.
Rejected.
/ Mr.. Paddock submitted an amendment regarding
the construction of certain provisions.
Mr.. Logan gave notice of future remarks.
After agreeing that the vote on the 9Th section
and pending amendments be taken at O'Clock to-
morrow. and at the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House went into committee on the legislative
bill.
Mr.. Scales of North Carolina supported the pro-
posed repeal on the ground that the laws as they
stood were unconstitutional and dangerous to the
liberties of the people.
Mr.. Gillette made a speech from the greenback
standpoint. and denounced the Connecticut anti
tramp law, and declared that before saying to the
Chinese they must 60 he must say to every law on
the statute book which oppressed the laboring
that it must CO. The national banks must 60,
national bonds must co. land monopolists must 60,
mountains of idle money in the Treasury must &c
iuto channels Of business and the millions absorbed
| by coin bonds must go out once to make glad
| the heart of the toier.
Mr. Davis of Virginia supported the position taken
/ by the Dem ocrats
| Mr. Cobb argued that there was no constitutions
| power upon which the election laws could rest.
| Mr.. O'Neil denied that in Philadelphia in the ex.
ecuton Of the election laws the Democrats had beer
| deprived Of the rights of franchise.
Mr.. De La Matyr denounced the cry of revolution
He had no language in which to utter his contempt
| for it.
When Mr.. De La Matyr concluded MIR. Weaver
moved that his time be extended but, Mr. Hazeltor
| objected
Mr.. Joyce said he had heard in debate men whl
had been disloyal to the country pirate about tht
constitution, and lecture Republicans about the free
| dom of election. He had seen the whole country
rise up and howl about soldiers at the polls when
band of armed men in the South took possession o
the ballot box, stuffed it with tissue ballots and
killed men who would not vote the Democr ati
ticket. Delicacy should be laid aside AMI the mer
of the North sould resent the insult and again bic
defiance to treason and modified rebellion.
Mr.. Donnell argued as to the constitutional power
| and duty to the President to veto measure which
he did not approve.
Mr.. Turner of Kentucky made speech in defence
of the Democratic side of the question.
Mr.. De La Matyr again obtained the floor, for the
balance of Mr., Turner's hour, aud concluded the
speech he commenced in the morning.
Mr.. HaZelton of Wisconsin denounced the Green.
hackers for their fodero, and alter rdicuing theiI
speeches. proceeded to argue in favor of the consti
tutional power of the government to use the army
necessary at the polls.
Mr.. Bragg followed on the Democratic side. The
\ attempt of the Republican party to raise alarm in
the North had failed. 1t would be fitting close tc
the republican power for their President to attempt
| to defeat the will OF the people.
| Committee then rose. On motion of Mr.. Stevens
the time to close the debate was fixed at O'Clock
Friday, and the House took recess till 7.3O.
Evening Session.
Debate was continued at the evening session bat
developed nothing new.
ETIDODE