Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-06
FORTY-SIxTH CONGRESS.
WAsHINGroS, June ).
Senate.
Extra Session

, Niu"y ny b't"iu' irolh the judiciary com
mittec, relating to juries and to the repeal of
certain sections of the revised statutes
Mr.. Hampton of South Carolina. after
briefly supporting the bill, proceeded to speak
upon the general political issues of the sen
son.
More than an hour was consumed in con-
sideration of the bills reported from the com
mittee on printing.
A bill for the election of a Congressional
printer was reported, but ruled out on point
of order.
Mr.. Hampton said he would not in any
event vote to deny necessary appropriations
to support the army and departments of gov
eminent.
Mr. Hampton's speech was mild and fair
throughout, and elected frequent applause in
the gallerier
| Mr.. Bayard followed in support of the bill
| Mr.. Edmunds offered an amendment pro-
vidng that no citizen possessing all other
qualifications be disqualified as a juror, on
account of race, color, or previous condition
of servtude.
This created some discussion and was fin
ally rejected.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to strike out the
words requiring the commissioner appointed
by the judge to put the names in the box to
be IA well known member of the principal
belong" Considerable discussion cnsucd.
during which Mr. Blaine said now the result
of this bill will be to get the rankest parti-
sans on both sides into the jury.
Dawes-What if there are three parties?
Blaine-That is just what was going to
speak Of.
Eaton-We can except Maine from this
Laughter.
Blaine-That is the very trouble in Maine
There are three parties there, and the princi-
pal opposing party is now greenback, and
this law would exclude the democrats entirely
from the panel The last vote was-Repub-
licans, -, 900; Grecnbackers 43 ZOO; Dem
ocrats. 10000. That leaves the democrats
out in the cold entirely, daughter and if a
man does not belong to any political organz-
alton, he cannot get in the ary box at all
Seward, Fcsscnden and William Hale could
not get on a committee here in years gone by
because. in the opinion of such patriots as
jeff Davis, Judah +. Benjamin and Slidell
they did not belong to any ''healthy political
organization" Laughter.
Now you propose to transfer politics to the
jury box. | object to it, because it is a great
public indecency to put in the statutes Il pro-
yiso that two political partizans shall stand
facing each others to draw jurors. What
are the principal parties now in Ga? know
what one is what is the other What are
the two principal parties in those districts
where 2G00 votes, all ON one side, elect "A
member of Congress?
There is another cheat underlying this.
The commissioner may be nominally of the
opposite party, but really politically or cor
ruptly in harmony with the clerk. Then you
will have a jury of rank partsans all on one
side.
Mr. Edmunds' motion was rejected.
Tho tta. 10,
sti tute for the original bill, was then agreed
Mr. Edmmnds then spoke at length on the
BILL but yielded for motion to adjourn
Mr.. Nancy reported the post route BILL
and was placed on the calendar.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Atkins reported the legislative appro-
priation bill, and moved it be printed and re-
committed, but withdrew it when Hawley Of
fered an amendment instructing The commit
tee to report the bill substantially the same
as the last legislative bill, excluding all po-
litcal legislation and appropriations for ju-
dicial expenses.
The Presidents message, transmitting the
record Of the Fitz John Porter case, was re-
ferred TO the committee ON military affairs.
The legislative appropriation bill was again
reported, and on motion of the Chairman the
bill was re-committed.
The House resumed the business of the
morning hour.
The pending business was the bill relating
to removal of cases from State to Federal
courts.
The demand for the previous question be-
ing withdrawn, White opposed the bill and
Thomas of Ill. supported the minority amend
ment, saying that every citizen had right to
60 to the foot of the throne and demand pro-
lection particularly when he had been acting
by authority of the United States, and had
come in conflict with some law of inferior
municipality. (Applause.)
After expiration of the morning hour, At
kins, from appropriations, reported the legis-
lative, judicial and executive appropriation
bill. and moved it be printed and re-co commit
ted and demanded the previous question.
The rapidity with which the demand was
made caused great laughter on the republic
can side.
The previous question was seconded, and
the bill was ordered printed and recommit-
ted.
The House then took up the special order
of the bill to prevent the expectation of dis
eased cattle and the spread of infectious dis
eases among domestic animals, and was adj
dressed in favor thereof by Hatch and Co.
vert.
Without action the House adjourned