Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-06-26
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.


al judicial appropriation bill was taken up.
Dawes opposed it as the most pernicious Of
the Democratic measures, and tending to
shake the confidence Of all justice-loving peo-
pie in our judicial system. Hill, Of Georgia,
believed that the intent of the existing law
was good, and if it were properly administer
ed, no new legislation would be necessary.
But Federal judges depart from State meth
DDS, and under the rules of their court intro
duce politics into the jury system. He re-
gretted the necessity Of recognizing political
differences in this bill, but the disgrace rested
upon those who first brought them into the
jury system; not upon the supporters of this
bill, which would partially remedy an estab-
lished evil. Conkling thought the proper
cure for the abuses mentioned was to rescind
the present law; not to pass new one which
does not pretend to abolish the evil. Hill re-
piled that he believed the practical effect Of
the bill would be to compel return to the
State system. Morgan said he entertained a
belief that radical reform was required in
the Federal jury laws. If the court was sat-
is6ed with the action Of its officers, there was
no recourse. The courts consist not alone Of
Judges, but of JUDI dges and juries together. The
judge is appointed under we'll defined law,
and the independent factor the jury, should
be selected under laws as carefully outlined
not by the ungoverned choice Of marshal
In 1862 the government thought it necessary
to introduce politics into the qualifications Of
Federal jurors. Leaving the question wheth'
er that was right or necessary at the time,
general amnesty has since gone out for all
political crimes, and there seems to be no
reason for making the jury box the only place
where political disability is to be perpetuated.
On motion of Wallace, the words Except as
provided for in section 1882 of the Revised
Statutes" were inserted after the clause pro-
hibiting the incurment of liability for future
payment, (section 1882 s!llows incurment by
the war and navy departments for necessary
expenses) Out of the clause "but nothing
herein contained shall be construed to pre-.
vent any judge in district in which such is
now the practice from ordering the names Of
jurors to be drawn from boxes used by the
State authorities" Mr.. Hill, of Georgia,
moved to strike out the words Gin which such
is now the practice" so as to make the
provisions universal. Wallace opposed the
amendment. 1t would destroy the uniformi-
ty sought by the bill. Carpenter said he
would vote for the amendment. He would,
at the proper time, like to unite with the law.
yers of the Senate in framing Federal jury
law; at present there was no such thing as
trial by jury in the Federal courts. The trial
was by the marshal and clerk, and they could
pack jury to convict or acquit as they
pleased. He wished the matter to 60 over
until December. Six months more would not
make much difference, and it was impossible
to mature a good system in the hurry of the
close of the session. Hills amendment was
adopted. After further debate the bill was
passed by party vote. The army appropri-
alton bill was taken up and the Senate ad-
iourned.
The House was engaged during the day in
the introduction of bills under the call of
States. Among the bills introduced was one
by O'Connor, of South Carolina, to re-estab-
lish the office of assistant treasurer at Charles
ton. Springer, of Illinois, moved to suspend
the rules and pass the bill prohibiting mill
tary interference at the polls. Lost by a
strict party vote for want of two-thirds ma
jority. Adjourned.
In the Senate on the 18th, the army ap-
preparation bill was taken up and altered
as follows: The committee amendment pro-
viding that the members of the next two
graduating classes at West Point may re-
ceive $3.50 on the completion of their studies
and return home for two years, was stricken
out, as were also the clauses forbidding pro-
motion in any branch of the army. A long
debate then ensued with reference to the
meaning and object of that clause of the fifth
section concerning the use Of the army for
police purposes to keep peace at the polls
Blaine offered an amendment prohibiting all
carrying of weapons at the polls under pen
atty of fine and imprisonment. Mcdonald
and Beck then read extracts from letters and
other documents to show that interference of
the army at the polls was not an imaginary
danger but had occurred. Adjourned.
In the House, Atkins, chairman of the ap-
propriations committee, reported back the
legislative appropriation bill and the Senate
amendments thereto, with a report recon-
mending concurrence in some and non-con-
currence in other of the amendments. The
recommendations were all concurred in. Ack-
lin, of Louisiana, from the committee on
commerce, reported a joint resolution author
izing the survey of the Mississippi River,
near Lake Concordia, La, with view to the
protection of the harbors of Natchez and vi
dalia. Passed. The judicial expenses bill
was received from the Senate and referred to
the appropriations committee. The House
then resumed the consideration Of the bill
prohibiting political assessments, which led
to somewhat of an acrimonious debate. Con-
ger, of Michigan, denounced the bill as an
Infamous proposition. McLane, Of Maryland,
said the Republican party held power only by
the corrupt use of Federal patronage which
it was the purpose of this bill to prohibit.
He spoke at considerable length in favor. of
the bill and in condemnation of the course Of
the Republican party generally, but was re-
peatedly interrupted by Conger with questions