The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-26
XLVI CONGRESS--IST SESS ION,
SENATE.

/ HASdlNGTON, april 20.
Mr.. Harris, from the committee on epidemic dis
cases. reported bill clothing the national board of
health with certain powers and looking to national
quarantine to prevent the introduction of CONTAGIOUS
diseases.
Mr.. Voorhees, introduced joint resolution to au-
thorze the purchase of picture of Webster and
Ashtuston negotiating the treaty.
The Senate proceeded to the consd Grafton of the
resolutions relating to the appointments by the
| Rotary and sergeant-at-arms The amendments de.
caring that no Union soldier be removed except for
cause and no Confederate soldiers take the place of
any dismissed Union soldier was defeated by strict
| party vote.
resolution giving the secretary aud sergeant-at
| arms absolute power over removals and appoint
ments to Office in the respective departments was
| agreed to.
Mr.. Eaton, chairman of the committee on foreion
relations, denied the newspaper statement that his
| committee was investigating the amount of pubic
money spent in furthering the voyage of Gen. Grant,
The army bill was resumed.
Mr.. Paddock spoke of the necessity of adoptipe his
amendment to modify the existing law SO that the
army be used as posse comtatus in new states and
territories to protect citizens from outrages.
Mr. Paddock's amendment was rejected by a partv
vote.
The sixth section of the bill prohibiting troops OF
the polls was then read
MIR. Eimunds proposed an amendment that Moth
ing in this section be held to abridgs or affect the
power of the President under sections 529S and 5299
of the revised statutes,
Laid ON the table,
Mr., Edmunds moved to insert the words "upl ess
such force be necessary to execute the laws Of the
United States"
Rejected.
section
The two votes last taken were party votes with the
exception of Davis, of Illinois, who voted with the
Democrats.
Mr.. Carpenter moved to strike out the 9th section
providing there be promotions appointments in
the army above the rank of captain except in the
corps of engineers etc. Laid on the table.
Other amendments were proposed to the 9Th Sec
ton, being the last section of the BILL but all were
laid on the table,
The president pro TEN announced the bill was uSw
on its passage as it came from the House, no amend-
ments having been made.
Mr.. Edmunds made another effort 10 amend the
sixth section, but the amendment was laid on the
table.
The bill then passed the Senate by party vote. /
Mr.. Davis of w. Virginia paired with Window
and Hoar with Mcpherson. Mr.. Sharon was absent.
IDe senate unen went INTO executive session and
upon reopening the doors adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
The Hou,e went into committee of the whole on
the legislative bill. -
Mr. Richardson of South Carolina spoke in favor Of
repeal. He said that the South solid only in its
adherence to the constitution.
Mr. Van voorhees, of New York argued that cleo
ton laws were constitutional and necessary for the
maintenance of an honest ballot box.
MIR, Sherwin contended that members Of Congress
were federal officers. and therefore the government
had right to enact laws regulating their election
MIR. Thomas Of Illinois characterized the PROPOSED
repeal as a conspiracy to Democratic major
ity at the next election at all hazards and at the ex.
pense of the citizens having many rights as anv
member on the floor
MIR. Wilkins said that he was glad to see the de
bate coming back to the naked facts of the last eec
ions. On no subject was the people more ignorant
han the awful details of the outrages committed
1T those elections. The trouble was that men who
never quaed before cannon balls were put to ffght