Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-14
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

IegeS anu eloCtlOIlS TO 1UV6SLlSaU0 CDo
claim OF Spoford to Kellogg's seat was
taken no. Mr.. Hoar offered substi-
tute declaring the action of the senate
seating Kellogg final and conclusive.
Without disposing of the matter con-
sideration was resumed of the bill to
prevent introduction into the United
States of contagious or infectious dis
eases. Without disposing of the ques-
ton the senate went into executive ses-
sion and soon after adjourned until
Monday.
FRIDAY, May 2nd.-The house was
not IN session. -aeeae=e-zz,-zszssszassssF
SATURDAY, May 3-Hoatse. The house
held short session to consider the bill
relating silver coin and coinage and
bullion certificates, but no vote WAS
taken. s-,.es
MONDAY, May 5-Selate.- Shortly after
assembling, consideration was resumed
of the bill to prevent the introduction
of contagious or infectious diseases into
the United States. The bill was
recommitted for amendment. Mr..
Eaton introduced bill similar
to that of the house, to prohibit mill
tary interference at elections. Referred
to the judiciary committee. The
bill extending the time for
special postal service was passed and
the senate adjourned. n... .a
MONDAY, May -House.-Under
the call of states, bill was in
trodrced by Mr.. Ladd to prohibit mill
tary interferences at elections, and it
was referred to the committee on judi
ciary. The following is the text of the
bill:
WHEREAS, The presence Of troops at
the polls is contrary to the spirit of our
institutions and the traditions of our
people, and tends to destroy the free
dom of our elections, therefore,
Be 1t enacted, etc., That it shall not be
lawful to bring to, or employ at any
place where general or special elections
are being held in state, any part Of
the army or navy of the United States,
unless such force be necessary to repel
armed enemies of the United States, or
to enforce section 4, article ", of the
constitution Of the United States, and
laws made in pursuance thereof on APP
plicatlon of the legislature, or the ex-
ecutive of the state where such force is
to be used, and so much of all laws as
is inconsistent herewith, is hereby re-
pealed. A number of bills were introduced
when the committee on the district of
Columbia claimed the floor, and further
call of the states was postponed until
tomorrow. 4a@ IL
TUESDAY, May 6-Sendte.-The Judi
ciarv committee reported two amend
ments to the bill prohibiting the
use of the army at the polls.
TIE first provides that the pro-
hibition against bringing to, or
employing troops at polls shall not APP
ply to the use of military forces when
necessary to protect the state against
serts the words: "Wben the legislature
cannot be convened after the clause
which exempts from prohibition the
employment of the army or navy to
enforce the fourth section of article
four, of the constitution, and laws made
IN pursuance thereof, upon application
of the legislature or executive
Of the state. The resolution
authorizing taking of testimony in
relation to the claim Of Spofford to the
seat of Senator Kellogg, was considered.
A long debate occurred on the merits
and dement's of the investigation, par
ticipated in by Hoar, Conkling, Bayard,
Carpenter and others. The republicans
attempted to adjourn, and opposed the
reopening of this question on the ground
that it had been settled once forever.
The democrats took the position that
fair investigation of this case was never
allowed, and that the senate had power
at any time to inquire whether person
was entitled to a seat in that body.
During the debate the bill to prevent
the use of the army at elections, just
passed by the house, was received and
read a first time when its further con-
sideration was objected to and it went
over. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, May 6-House. THE
morning hour was consumed in
the introduction and reference of bills.
The senate amendments to the bill pro-
vldlng for certain expenses of the pres
ent session were cOncurred in.
Mr.. Knott reported back, without
amendment, the bill introduced yester-
day, to prohibit military interference at
tute making it unlawful to bring to or EN-
ploy at a place where a nominal or
special election is being held in the
state, any part of the army or navy un-
less such employment shall be neces-
sary to carry out the provisions
of the constitution or overcome
forcible obstruction to the execution of
the laws made in pursuance thereof,
and making any violation of the act a
penal offence. This substitute is en-
titled: bill to farther protect
the freedom of elections. Robe
sons substitute was defeated by
yeas SO, nays 121, only one greenbacker,
Ford, voted aye, while eight-De La
Matyr, Jones, Ladd, Lowe, Murch,
Stevenson, Weaver and Yokum-voted
no. The REPUBLICANS fillibustered no the
bill to prevent interference of troops at
election. All but Chittenden, Kelly,
Kelllnger and Morton declined voting
while there were not enough democrats
present to constitute quorum. The
reason for fllibustering was a refusal to
allow Conoer to offer an amepdm ont