Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-27
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, March 27.

FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-.
THURSDAY, March 81.
SENATE.-The Vice President laid before the
Senate report from the late Sergeant-at-Arms
(Mr. Frenchl giving full and complete account
Of all the property OF the United States In his
possession up to the time Of his retiring from
He also laid before the Senate an authentic
and complete copy Of the report OF the special
committee OF the Kansas legislature charged
with the investigation OF the election of Mr..
ingalls, to the Senate Of the United States to-
gether with the testimony. Referred to the
committee on privileges and elections.
M Mr. Cameron Pa5 introduced Joint resolu,
certain decoration from the emperor OF Russia.
Mr.. GroOme introduced bill to aid In the
construction Of the Maryland and Delaware
ship canal, and to secure to all vessels for all
time to come, the right OF navigation free of toll
On motion OF Mr.. Wallace, it was resolved
that the testimony taken before the committee
TO inquire into election frauds be printed from
time to time for the use OF the committee and
the Senate
Mr.. wallace moved that when the Senate ad-
journ to day, it be to Monday next. This was
agreed to-yeas 36, nays a.
Mr.. voorhees, introduced a resolution calling
upon the librarian OF Congress to report to the
Senate the condition OF the manuscripts OF
Peter Force, known as the American Archives
from 1''6 to 1888, and the cost OF publishing the
secretary OF War to release certain lands OF
the United states to the people OF the state of
The Senate took up the resolution OF Mr..
Hoar, declaring that the refusal by one house
or Congress to make necessary provision for
the support OF the executive, legislative and Ju-
dicial departments, and for the defence of the
country, except upon condition that the other
house and the President shall give their assent
to legislation which they disapprove, and the
refusal by Congress to make such legislation
except upon condition that the President shall
give such assent, are unconstitutional, revOlu-
tionaIy; and II persisted in must lead to the
overthrow Of constitutional government and
the destruction OF the national life.
A running debate took place. Senators Hoar
and Blaine charged that the majority had
usurped the functions of legislation by matur-
ing measures In caucus, thus anticipating the
constitutional FORMS
Messrs. Beck, Bayard and voorhees, replied by
saying the democrats were acting with caution
and ctrcumspection, which was more than the
republicans had done when they were in the
majority.
Without disposing of the subject, the Senate
went into executive session.
HOUSE.-Mr. Conger called up his motion to
reconsider the vote by which the resolution
of1ered yesterday by Mr.. Cox, relating to the
appointment of certain select committees, was
referred to the committee on rules.
In order to save time, Mr.. Cox made no OBJ
lecilon 10 the motion, and, 1t being Carried
withdrew his resolution.
Mr.. Sparks "a member Of the appropriations
committee In the last COngress) introduced the
substantially the bill that had passed the House
in the last session OF the last Congress with the
provisions In regard to the reorganization Of the
the bill which had been passed by the Senate.
with the provision inserted repeating the two
statutes allowing the use OF troops at the polls.
1t was really the bill which had been informally
agreed upon In conference committee, except
ing that portion OF the bill repeating the stat
ntes In regard to the use Of troops at the polls.
sldered, and moved that the bill be referred to
the committee of the whole
This was agreed to, and the House, at 1915,
went y, M into M committee Of the whole tMr. Springer
The bill was read In full. It appropriates
$26, ,797, 800. 1t limits the number OF enlisted
men to $4,000, including Indian scouts and hos
pitai stewards. The signal service is 70 remain
as at present organized, with force OF enlisted
nlen hot exceeding $50. 1t provides that no
allowance shall be made for quarters for Of
ticers' servants, and that the rate OF commuta-
tion shall hereafter be sl2 per month for OF.
ticerS' quarters, In lieu OF $40 as now provided
by law. 1t contains the clause authorizing
railroad companies to do general telegraph
Statutes so as to prohibit the presence OF troops
at the place where any general or special elec-
tlon is held, ''unless 1t be necessary to repel
the armed enemies OF the United States" 1t
also amends section 552S In the same sense,
making 1t penal offence for any officer in the
civil, military or naval service to order or have
Icopo dU any pldCC WuCIc d kGucTdl VI SUccl3l
election is held in any state, unless such force
United States"
Mr.. Sparks then proceeded to explain the bill
as compared with that which failed In the last
session. The telegraph provision, he said, had
been adopted, precisely as it had been modified
in the Senate The Senate had increased the
House bill OF last session by three or four hum
dred thousand dollars; but the conferees had
agreed that the House had appropriated SUM-
cient amount; and hence the present bill had
ever, an item inserted OF $50 900 for military
post on the Niobrara river, in northern NebraS-
ka and Dakota. There were no other differ
ences between this bill and the bill that passed
All that part had been omitted, except q few
items. These items include the provision for
ane OF sne 15s o.
when vacancy In either occurs, ana the merg-
Ing OF both In one professorship OF modern Ian
guages. They also include the provision allow
ing members OF the next two graduating classes
OF the military academy, after graduation, to
elect the receipt OF $3.50 and mileage, which ac-
ceptance shall render him ineligible to appoint
tion. The PROVISIONS is also retained prohibiting
promotions above the rank OF captain, except
In the corps OF engineers,) and prohibiting the
the rank OF major, except on the report Of
board. In conclusion, Mr.. Sparks suggested
that all general debate be dispensed with, ex-
cept as to the &C, clauses respecting the use OF
contents Of the bill, they be considered under
the five-minute rule.
The proposition was assented to unanimously
and the House proceeded to consider the bill
under the five minutes rule.
Mr.. Turner (Ky.) moved to reduce the maxi
mum of enlisted men fiom $4,000 to $1,000. Re-
Jected-5S to 119.
Mr. Singleton Cll.) moved to reduce the num-
Der to 10000 men. After brief discussion the
motion was withdrawn.
Mr.. Sanford moved to strike out the provis-
ION That In aDy item or the 2nnr0nraffOnS
shall be insufficient the excess In any other
item or items may, with the written consent of
the Secretary OF war, be applied thereto.
A long discussion resulted-several members
OF the last appropriation committee explaining
the reason for the provision, and showing that
IL 1t were struck out IL would be necessary to
increase the appropriation.
Mr.. WhitfhOrne cOntended that the provision
contained an express violation OF existing law;
and that It was q dangerous license to give to
officers Of any department. 1t behOoved the
democratic members, he said, to put their feet
down on any departure from that law which
had been found wholesome and salutary.
Mr.. Sparks expressed his surprise at the