Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-10
Representative Atkins, OF Tennessee, On
the Appropriation Billie Makes
Very Clear Explanation Of its
Provisions, and HaWley, Re-
publican, Admits 1t Ought
to Pass.

WASHINGTON, June Ex-senator Coke's
resolution to discharge the finance committee
from the further consideration of the Warner
silver bill, and to declare 1t beforeShe senate
for action, was laid before the senate, but
tor Voorhees,.
The motion by Senator Burnside for an ex-
ecutive session was rejected-yeas, 10; nays,
81.
The senate conquered in the house resolu-
ton to instruct the committee on enrolled
bills to amend the title of the act to amend
an act making appropriations for the con-
struction, etc., OF certain works on rivers and
harbors recently passed, by substituting the
words approved March 3, 1879" for zap
proved March 4, 1879"
Senator Vest introduced and asked unani-
nous consent for the present consideration OF
the bill to continue the special pension of one
hundred dollars per month granted to the
late General James Shields, to his widow I'M
til her death, and if she dies leaving minor
children, to said children during their mi
nority.
Senator Edmunds thought the bill should
take the course usual with such bills, and on
his objection to its present consideration 1t
was placed on the calendar.
Senator Eaton, from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported back the house JOINT
resolution repeating certain clauses OF the
sundry civil appropriation acts passed last
session, with the recommendation that the
senate non-concur IN the house amendments.
Agreed to.
On motion of Senator Harris the M'Don-
aid bill authorizing the employment of the
militia and the land and naval forces of the
United States IN certain cases was taken up.
Senator Harris said that the constitution
gives the States exclusive control over the
qualification of voters. Ii gives congress per.
mission to make or alter the times, places
and manner of holding elections, but it Is
conceded by all impartial commentators,
that this power was intended to be used only
as a means of preservation in case the States
should tail to make such regulations. The
language is mandatory as to States,
that they shall prescribe the qualifications Of
voters, etc. 1t Is only permissIve to congress
that it may make or alter the word. "Man-
ner, " OF course, refers to the method-that Is,
whether by ballot or riUG U0ce, or other similar
regulations. Senator Harris quoted the de-
cision of the supreme court In the case of
Minor rersHs Happsoott, and in the Cruik-
shank case, that tha general government has
no voters of Its own In the States, etc.; yet,
ostensIbly, under the clause of the constltu-
ton above cited, an elaborate system of
election laws has grown up, under which the
government has assumed the dictation
of the qualifications for voters In
the States. Deputy marshals and SUI
pervisors are appointed, as claimed, 10
prevent fraud. This has a taking sound,
and would be effective were it not known
that instead of preventing fraud these officers
have extended and introduced new phases of
it. OF what use is it, asked Senator Harms,
for States to prescribe qualifications for
voters, as it is their duty, when these Fede-
raj officers, whose chief claim to appoint
ment is their bad character and partisan zeal,
are authorized to override such qualifications
and decide according to their own pleasure
who may or may not voteP There was no
State, he said, so corrupt as not to be able to
preserve the purity of Its own elections, and
he denied the usefulness as well as the con-
stitutionality Of the laws IN question.
Adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Acklen offered a resolution, which was
referred, directing the committee on Pacific
railroads to inquire whether the Union Pacific
railroad company has not violated its charter
In making Investments contrary to the pro-
visions thereof, and whether the two con-
! tracts entered into, about April %. 1875. be-
tween the Union Pacific and the Kansas Pa
| ei6c railroad companies are not IN violation
| of their charters,
A motion to suspend the rules and adopt
the resolution for an investigation IN regard
to the construction of public building was
defeated-yeas, lis; nays S2-not the
| A0OCSoahJ bUO-hAA0S fNbO IL bAo a4lAA A1ns-
| tive.
Mr.. Atkins proceeded, by unanimous con-
| sent, to make q statement In regard to the
appropriation bill. He sad that it diff
fered in very few respects from the
bill reported a few days since and re.
committed. The principal feature OIL
the difference between the substitute
and the original bill consisted IN an appro.
priatlon of one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars for the payment of The salaries oil
storekeepers and gaugers, made necessary by
an increase of distileries IN the southern
States within the past few months. 1t was
| really in the nature of a deficiency, but the
committee had thought it very important
that an appropriation should be made. The
present bill did not increase a single salary
excepting the pay of messengers from SIX
hundred and sixty dollars to seven hundred
and seventy dollars, and of laborer
from six hundred dollars to six hun
bred and sixty dollars. 1t increased
the clerical force in the pension office In com
pliance with the request of the committee
1t re-enacted the present law with certain
examinations, and there were no so-calleC
political restrictions in the bill. The restrie
lions in the vetoed bill, which had created
such a contest on this floor, were not EN-
braced in the present bill, nor was the ap
preparation for contingent expenses of TIT
courts, amounting to two million six hundred
] -QOlldISs IL was upOu LudJ pOEbiOl
OF the bill that the restrictive clause hat
been placed in regard to the payment o
supervisors and deputy marsnals. That mat
ter would be embraced IN subsequent bill
a supplemental bill which would be reporte,
by his friend from Ohio NJ Mahon
Mr.. Hawley, a member of the appropria-
tion committee, stated that members of tn
minority of that committee and the Repub
licans generally we're very much opposed t
the bill in Its present form, and would mucl
prefer to pass the regular appropriation bill
of last session, minus the political sections
| There were very serious objections to tn
bill, by reason of its complication and it's OBJ
security. Still he did not deny that the treas
ury department, by detailing three men, on
with the old bill, another with tn
| new one, and third wit
slate aud pencil, might find out VIVA
was appropriated ard so the government
could live under IT. 1t provided substantial
| w. he supposed, for all the necessities of tn
| government in that direction. It had bee
intrusted good deal, and rightfully, to tn
CHAPMAN of the committee, and members o
the comm4tteO had consented unanimously
to waive any objection to it. 1t contained n
political matter, and therefore the Republi
can members rather consented to its passag
than approved OF 1t.
Mr.. Atkins then renewed his motion
suspend the rules and pass the bill, and tn
motion Wss carried without division.
Messrs. Cabell and Cox, Immediately after
ward intimated their desire for o division.
The speaker said he had given full tim
for a call for division before announcing tn
result, He would, however, recall that ar
! nouncement, and he asked whether there wa
, any call for division.
Mr.. Cox said that he did not iusst upon i
Mr.. Finley did, however, call for the yes
and nays, and the Republican side of ii
= house very generally sustained the call
, vote was therefore taken by yeas and nay
ana resulted-yeas, lSS; nays, q. II