The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-15
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, April l2.-In the Senate,
after the usual morning business, consider
alton was resumed of appropriation bill,
Senator Blaine having the floor,
Various memorials and bills were intro
duced a1d appropriately referred; among
them the following: by Senator Vance, to
amend so much of the civil appropriation
act of 1878 as provides for the pay of mail
contractors in southern states before the
rebellion; by Senator Morgan, to amend
the constitution in regard to appropria-
tions; by Senator Ingalls,, for the payment
of Indian war bonds of the State OF Cali
tornia, and bills to establish a judicial dis
trict in the Indian Territory,
Senator Carpenter introduced bill to
amend the revised statutes in regard to
election of United States Senators. The
| bill is designed to remedy to defeat IN the
existing law which was recently brought
into public view by the New Hampshire
case.
The Senate resumed consideration Of
the army appropriation bill, the pending
question being Senator BIaine's amend
ment prohibiting disappearance within
armed with deadly weapons of any kind.
Senator Blaine spoke at length upon
his amendment wherein he compared the
number of soldiers with the whole popula-
ton OF the country, and tried to ridicule
the idea that there was any danger of inti-
midation from soldiers at the polls; he
said that if the bill went through in the
present form, the remainder Of the law in
regard to marshals and supervisors would
be worth nothing, since there would be nc
power vested in the federal government
to enforce its provisions, he referred tC
the different department and said they
must all stop unless the president signed
the bill; be also fought the war over anC
did his best to fire up the northern heart
His speech on the whole was failure anC
elected very little comment.
, Senator Withers followed and argued
] that it was the law giving the Presiden
, power to use the army so as to destroy tht
freedom OF elections-not that it was nov
? used for that purpose-to which the Demo
r Gratis objected.
{ Senator Wallace said the bill was not th
: product of Democratic caucus, but origi
t mated in the House committee on Appro
D priations. The single issue was, shall tn
r Executive longer possess power to static
troops at the polls2 Their presence wa
o menace upon the right of free elections
+ This right rests'for its protection upon th
y State-uot upon the Federal Government
Mr.. Logan obtained the floor but CAV
way to Senator Ferry who moved the Ser
ate proceed to the consideration Of e1
i ecute business. Davis, wv. Va.) though
4 the Senate nigh remain in open sessio
an hour longer; if any Senator was read
J. to spaak on the pending bill let him do 81
r if not, let the Senate vote. The Sena
a by vote of II to So went into executiv
is session, and when the doors re-opened, al
n journed,
~ The Senate to-day confirmed Arthur
a Thomas, OF Pittsburgh, Secretary of Uts
q. Territory; as postmaster. w. w. Smit
,e Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Referring to Representative Buckner
proposed bill for the coinage of six miIio
of silver bullion monthly, the director
the mint says: This amount is not on
n beyond the present capacity of the mir
ge but largely in excess OF the production
N the mines of the country, which are es
or mated at fifty millions annually. fro
ar which should be deducted three millio
nd used in arts and manufacture which wou
he leave twenty-five millions to be import
iu- under Buckner's bill. "
The Supreme Court decided steambc
tax case to-day. The owners of four stea
boats running from Wheeling to Cine
ct natl, were taxed by West Virgins. Plai
he tiff paid the taxes under protest, and u
IN brings suit to recover, arguing that I
re- taxation was 10 violation of the consti
ls. tioual provision that mo State shall le
ng any duty of tonnage" This court ho
to that taxes levied In this case are not dut
of tonnage within the meaning of the CT
stitution, and that the enrolment of 81
or vessel under the laws of the Uni
far States does not exempt its owner fr
nri taxation thereupon as personal proper
inc Judgment of the lower court is affirmed