Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1879-02-27
No. IS

sion. we OO Lne same tnlng with the bll-
making an appropriation for pension arrear-
ages, and with the river and harbor bill
Trespassing wontonly on our good nature and
believe that there is nothing here but
yielding spirit, the other side of the house
now seeks at the expense of an extra session to
crowd this legislation on u.s. We cannot and
will not endure it.
Wood asked that a session be ordered for
tomorrow night for consideration of reports
from the Committee on Ways and Means.
Atkins objected and stated that he would
| object to everything until the Legislative APP
preparation bill was disposed of. So many
members, however, appealed to him to yield
that he did so.
Hale objected to any business, and moved
to go into Committee of the Whole on the
Legislative Appropriation bill, stating that his
side of the house was anxious to 60 on with
that bill.
Cobb, rising to a question of the highest
privilege called up the Florida contested elcc-
ton case of Finley VS.. Bisbee.
Conger raised the question of considera-
ton, but the house by vote of 135 to 122
determined to proceed with the election case.
This was strict party vote, with the excep-
ton of Turney, who voted with the Repub-
licans in the negative
The majority of the Committee on Elec-
tons declare that Jesse J. Finley (contestanD
is. and Horace Bsbee (sitting member) is not
entitled to a seat as Representative from the
first district of Florida. These resolutions
were supported by Williams (Ala.) Chandler
and Cobb while Hiscock. Tapham and Bis
bee supported the minority report declaring
Bisbee entitled to seat. The minority reso-
lutions were then Withdrawn, and vote was
taken on the majority resolutions and they
were agreed to by 131 to 122, strict party
vote, with the exception of Harrison and
Turney, who voted with the Republicans in
the negative. Finley was then sworn in, TAX
ing the modified oath.
Notice was given that the South Carolina
contested election cases would be called up
next Monday The house then took a recess
until evening, the session to be for formal
services in honor of deceased members
Welsh, of Nebraska. and Williams of Mich.
WAsH1NGToN, February 2l.-After the
morning hour q contest arose as to the order
of business, Cox pressing the census bill,
Hale the appropriation bill, and Bright the
private calendar. Tucker and Wood antago-
nized all these appropriations with a motion
to proceed with the business on the Speakers
table. The House finally went into Commit
tee of the Whole on the private calendar
The pending bill was that for the relief of
John +. Armstrong, of Virginia, on account
of wharf property occupied by the U. S.
army in Alexandria during the war;
Hunton stated that the loyalty of the claim
ant had been fully proved, and the only ques-
tion was whether Congress was going to pay
any claim of that character. The vote on
the present case would be a decisive one as
to all cases of the same character
Eden, while he supported the bill, express
ed himself in favor of constitutional amend
ment forbidding the payment of all claims
originating in the war which nave not already
been adjusted.
Hayes said that although the claims might
come in under the plea of loyalty, they were
presented and advocated by 'disloysl men.
The gentlemen on the other side did not ad-
the Republican Congress in 1871 had passed
an act under which 22, 600 claims, amounting
to 100000, 1000, had been presented. The
constitutional amendment which he favored
would close the door against all war claims
from the North or South.
Banning thought it would have been best
at the conclusion of the war to have adopted
a constitutional amendment prohibiting the
payment of all war claims. The Confederates
had not been entitled to anything, and loyal
men had been sufficiently paid in having the
government of the Union saved to them.
Conger opposed the bill, and several sharp
passes occurred between him and Eden.
Finally White moved to strike out the en-
acting clause of the bill, and it was agreed to
without division.
In advocating the next bill on the calendar
for the payment of 100000 to A. A. Rich
ards, of Virginia, for supplies furnished the
army during the war, Shelly stated that he
had no sympathy with that class of claims.
His people, who had to bear the burden of
taxation, had no sympathy with 1t, but it was
one of the penalties of the war which the
people of the South must accept.
Bragg opposed the bill. There had been
title or no loyalty in Virginia, except such
Is had been enforced by Gordon of bayonets,
md then it had thrived most Justify upon the
supplies and commissaries the army had fur
,ished.
White, of Pennsylvania, moved to strike
'ut the enacting clause. Agreed to.
PENSION ARREARAGES.
WASHINGTON, February 19.-The House
Committee on Ways and Means intend to take