Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-16
Second Edition.
= O'CLOCK, p. N.
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Regular Proceedings in Both
Houses.

lzlng the secretary of war to pur-
chase sites for forts and posts in
Texas.
The president of the senate pro
TEN. laid before the senate a message
from the President of the United
States, in reply to resolution Of the
9TH instant, requiring information
relative to the alleged unlawful occu-
patton Of a portion of the Indian Ter
ritory He transmits copies of his
proclamation, copies of correspond
ence, and copies of papers ON file in
the war department.
Touching this subject, Mr.. Pendle-
ton reported from the committee on
Indian affairs the bill authorizing
the secretary of the interior to deposit
certain Indian funds in the treasury
in lieu Of the investment.
On motion of Mr.. ingalls,, it was
resolved that the secretary of the
treasury be directed to report to the
senate what amount of legal tender
notes had been presented and re-
deemed in coin since the 1st of Janu-
airy last, and what amount of coin he
considers himself authorized to retain
in the treasury to maintain specie
resumption.
Consideration was resumed of. the
legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Eaton, speaking on the appro-
priation bill, defended his former as
sertion that this is confederacy of
States. The war did not change the
government nor abolish slavery. The
emancipation proclamation did not
free the slaves. 1t required the inde-
pendent action of certain number of
sovereign States to work those changes
in the government of this confederacy
of States. The late struggle was war
of sections, and the present reckless
denunciation Of Southern men was
unwise and wrong. Let the past bury
its own dead and go on as brothers.
HoUsE.-A resolution was reported
from the committee on rules by Mr..
Frye for the appointment of standing
committees, to which shall be referred
all bills, resolutions, petitions, etc.,
affecting traffic in alcoholic liquors,
An argument in opposition was
made by Fernando Wood, on the
ground that under the proposed au-
thority this committee might arrogate
to itself the powers which did not
belong either to it or congress, and
might, under the plea of morality,
undertake to interfere with the reve.
nue. Of the government derived from
that tax. r
He had no objection to having the
whole subject referred to a commit
tee. The resolution was advocated
by Messrs. Frye and Stephens and was
further opposed by Mr.. Reagan on the
ground Of unconstitutionality,
Mr.. Garfield advocated resolution
and disposed of the constitutional OBJ
lection by saying that congress had ex =
elusive jurisdiction over the District
of Columbia, where there were a
thousand rum holes under the
shadow Of the capitol, and over
territories with an area as
large as Europe; and congress
had also constitutional control of the
question in relation to the duty on
imported liquors and to the internal
tax on distilled spirits. He admitted
that congress might not undertake to
regulate morals, but it was fair mat
ter for consideration whether morals
might not regulate congress in levying
taxes.
The resolution was also advocated
by Mr. Monroe and opposed by Mr..
Blount. The latter said this move
ment was engineered by a class of
people who are eternally wanting to
regulate other people.
Mr.. Knott also spoke against the
measure as not only unnecessary but
as making a mischievous precedent,
which might be followed by other
sumptuary laws.
The final argument in favor of the
resolution was made by Mr.. Conger,
who said he would demand a vote by
yeas and nays, so as to have the mem
bers on record on this subject. .
A motion to lay the resolution on
the table was made by Mr. Blount and
was rejected-yeas, 80; nays, 12S.
Allof the affirmative votes came from
the Democratic side all Republicans
and Greenbaskers voting nay. The
resolution was then agreed to.
ThnToD,sv;lIo VVaa,iDv