The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-21
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY
Senate,


Mr.. Ferry presented a petiuon OF the Tenn
perance Union of Michigan protesting against
any amendment OF the Internal Revenue act
tor the benefit OF importers and dealers in
spirituous liquors....M Mr.. Voorhees, introduced
O bill to amend certain sections Of the Revised
Statutes in regard to coinage, and coin and
bullion certificates, and Mr.. Eaton introduced
O bill (similnr to that in the House) to prohibit
military interference ut elections. Referred to
the committee on the judiciary. The Sem
ate resumed consideration Of the bill TO prevent
the introduction OF contagious or infectious
diseases into the United States. The pending
question was on the motion of Mr.. Hamlin to
commit the bill to tho select committee, with
instructions to report n code OF rules and regu-
lations to carry the act into effect. Mr.. Harris
submitted an amendment providing that moth
ing in this act shall be so construed us to super
sede or impair any sanitary or quarantine law
of any State. The motion to recommit was
carried by O vote Of 80 to 10. Adjourned after
an executive session.
Mr.. Mcdonald, from the Committee on the
Judiciary, reported back with amendments
the bill forbidding the use Of troops Mt the
polls, that had been introduced on the previous
day by Mr.. Eaton. AS amended the bill is the
same as that which was introduced in the
House, except the insertion by the Senate
committee OF the words, "Protect the State
against invasion" and the substitution of the
words "when the Legislature cannot be con-
vened" for the words "where such force is to
be used.".. Mr.. Beck, from tho Committee
on Appropriations, reported back the House
bill making appropriations for the Legislative,
Executive and Judicial Departments of the
government, with sundry amendments, which
do not affect the new legislation part, but only
4 ---.-& ,,.t1 ,,nfe,~ al en- fhn ,nnTr
ment of pensions. After discussing the kel.
~logg-Spofford contest the Senate adjourned.
Mr.. Chalmers, OF Mississippi, called up, rs n
question of privilege, the resolution offered by
him for on investigation into his conduct ut
Fort Pillow, during the war, and made q state
ment in regard to that affair. Mr.. Goode, OF
Virginia, from the Committee on Education
and Labor, reported a bill directing the execu-
tive officers Of the government to carry out
the provisions Of the Eight-hour Labor law OF
1868, and made a brief argument in its favor.
Mr.. Rice spoke against the bill, and Messrs.
Cox, of New York, and Murch in its favor.
The bill went over without action. After de-
batting the bill amending the bill in regard to
coinage, and coin bullion certificates, without
action, the House adjourned.
The bill to authorize the annual enlistment
of $50 boys in the navy was passed.. Mr.. Nc
Donald called up the bill to authorize Spruillc
Braden to be placed at the foot Of the list OF
ensigns OH the active list of the navy. This is
the youth who not long ago was u pupil in a
naval collegein England, who took the queens
medal and other prizes, and who was offered
the appointment Of midshipman in the British
navy, but declined for the reason that the ac-
c%eptance OF it would have required the renun-
citation OF his American citizenship. Messrs.
Chandler, Anthony, Burnside, Logan, Allison,
Teller md Cockrell opposed the bill, and
Messrs. Mcdonald, Voorhees, and Whyte
spoke in its favor. The bill went over, and
consideration Of the bill to prevent military in
reference at the polls was resumed. Adjourned
Mr.. Saunders introduced u bill to amend the
pension laws and to punish agents for viola
tons thereof, and MI. Teller n bill to provide
for the publication and distribution OF the
Congressional Record. Mr.. Harris, from the
Committee on Epidemic Diseases, reported a
substitute Tor the bill heretofore recommitted
to it to prevent the introduction of contagious
or infectious diseases into the United States.
speeches against the Army bill were made
by Messrs. Edmunds, Blaine and Chandler.
Referring to the Kellogg case the latter raised
a storm in the Senate by using the following
language: "There are twelve Senators on that
side of the house That every man on this side
believes have poorer titles to their seats than
the honorable Senator from Louisiana has to
his. BY fraud and violence you occupy your
seats; now show us the rond how to vacate
seats in this body, if you dare" MIR. Chand-
Ter was called to order by Mr.. Beck, but tile
President pro tenn. overrule1 the point OF Or
der. Quiet having been restored Mr.. Chandler
resumed his speech, after which the hill was
passed rs it came from the House by 80 to ~
q strict party vote. Adjourned.
Underline call OF States, Mr.. Ladd introduced
a bill to prevent military interference ut cleo
tons. Referred to the committee on the
judiciary. The following is the text Of the bill:
"WHEREAs, The presence of troops Mt the
polls is contrary to the spirit of our institu-
tons and the traditions OF our people, and
tends to destroy the freedom Of elections;
therefore,
"Be it enacted, etc., That it shall not be law
full to bring to or employ ut any place where
a general or special election is being held in Il
State any part of the army or navy OF the
United States, unless such force be necessary
to repel the armed enemies Of the United
States or to enforce section 4, article 4, of the
Constitution of the United States, and the laws
made in pursuance thereof, on application OF
the legislature or the executive Of the State,
where such force is to be used; and so much
of all laws as is inconsistent herewith is here
by repealed"
A resolution was introduced by Mr.. Cox, of
New York, that the President be requested to
insist on the emancipation of slaves in Cuba,
and to take such measures, in cooperation
with other governments if possible, as will
most speedily and humanely effect 80 c~ivilizing
an object. Mr.. Knott, from the Committee
on the Judiciary, reported back withoutamend-
ment the bill introduced on the previous day
prohibiting the use OF troops at the polls. MIR.
Robson offered as n substitute a bill entitled
IA bill to further protect the freedom of elec-