The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-02-24
(From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. goth, 1873.
Daring the past week congress has been
passing bills with an intention to finish up
legislative business before y NJ ou the 4th
OF March, when the speaker gagel sill fall
and the 45th congress will pass into his
tory. But on Wednesday the dead lock
that had been prayed for by the hotels and
boarding houses came, and, to-day, moth
log seems more probable than that there
will be au extra session, and that immedi
ateiy after the fourth Of March we will
have the excitement of reorganization Of
congress with its contest for the speaker
ship, aud other important Offices in the
house, and a reconstruction, on a demo-
cratic baSis IN the senate. On Wednes-
day the house reached that poiUt 10 the
legislative, executive, and judicial approp-
ration bill where it was german to offer
the amendment providing for the repeal Of
tho jurors test oath. The republicans
made a point OF order against the amend
mCnt on the ground that it was not in the
interest OF economy, but rather increased
the expenditures, as it transferred from
the sundry civil appropriation bill an ex-
peudlture OF over two million dollars; mas
much AS the amendment offered also pro-
vided for the expense OF the courts as well
as the repeal OF the oath, and added just
that much 20 the pending bill. Chairman
Blackburn ruled the amendment in order
taking in view that the amendment re-
duced the expenditures, because 1t reduced
The pay Of jurors from three TO two dollars
per day. The republicans then proposed
% strike out all that portion OF the amend
ment which provided for the expenses Of
the court, and simply repeal the test oath
statutes. This was rejected. The amend
meut as originally offered was then adopted
Oy yeas l27, nays 50. At 20 o clock the
amendment to repeal the law authorizing
the appointment OF federal supervisors,
was offered by MIR. Southland, of Ohio.
Mr.. Hale, of Naine, at once made the
point OF order that iuasmuch as the amend
ment did not reduce expenses it was not in
order Mr. Southard proceeded to reply,
and the outlook is promising for an ex-
tended debate. Mr. Hale served notice
that the republicans would flibuster.
After further debate Chairman Blackburn
overruled the point OF order made By Mr..
Hale, and decided the amendment to be
before the committee Of the whole for con-
sideratloD.
Debate then continued, with the pros
pect OF an extended aud exciting session.
Mr.. Hale said the Republicans believed
that if the Law was repealed, large num-
Der ct voters in the southern section of
the country would be left to the mercy of
their prosecutors, and IL the Democrats
insist upon the repeal of the law, the Re-
publcans will resist, even il an extra SEES
sion OF congress is the result
The discussion in the senate yesterday,
on the proposition to appropriate money to
aid in establishing lines of steamships to
Brazil, was quite lively. Senator Beck led
Oft IN opposition to the amendment with
point Of order that it was not germain to
the bill. The chair submitted the ques-
ton to the senate, and after considerable
debate, the point of order was voted down
by % to 80. The opposition then resorted
to the tactics of Offering amendments an
tagonlsuc to the purpose of the PROPOSE
ton. Mr.. Eaton proposed to reduce the
time OF the contract from ten to four years,
and MIR. Bailey gave notice that he would
offer an amendment TO provide that when
ever any OF the requirements of the bill
SHAH be vloIated,or shall not be carried out
py the contractor, the contract shall be an
huHeu; Inc question is still pending, and
the debate will be renewed to-day.
- WITH the approach of the Lenten season
the riot oil gayety becomes more riotous:
hops' masqueradeS, and receptions crowd