Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-10
FORTY.slxrH CONGRRss-sECOND
SESSION.
SENATE.
WAsnrxorox, Decembt

WASHINGTON. December 9.
On motion of Mr.. Pendlefcn. so much o.
the Presidents message IS refers to civil ser
vice reform. was referred 10 a select com
mittse.
Bill providing for sale of reservations of
the Otoe and Missouri tribes. and removal of
the these Indians to another reservation. was
| passed.
| Bill to secure safe keeping of money paid
into court. was passed
The pension DILL for Mrs. Mary A. Low
was rejected.
| Mr.. Withers. dem. of Virginia, ey request.
introduced a bill to provide for judicial de-
| formation of pension claims against the
United States. Referred.
Bill to allow marshals ard deputy marshals
| to take bonds in certain cases, was referred.
Bill TO extend time for filing claims for
horses and equipments lost by officers and
enlisted men in the L. 5. service. WAS taken
up. but the Senate adjourned until Monday
without decisive action thereon.
uousE
The fertilization appropriation bill was
reported. ordered printed and recommi,ted
Mr. Kelley introduced bill repeating the
tax on bank checks. medicines, friction
matches. bank capital and bank deposits
Referred.
Bill amending the law in relation to the
tax on savings banks, was referred
On motion of Mr.. Talbot OF Mo-. action
on bill for relief of J. NJ. Heiskell was
vacated.
House resumed consideration Of Senate
concurrent resolution relative - the clecto-
raj count.
Mr.. MeLsne, dem. took the floor and pro-
ceeded 10 speak ON ,be Senate resolution, re-
plying especially 10 the speech made yester-
day by Mr.. Robson.
That gentleman fRobeson) had laid down
the proposition that no judicial power could
be exercised by Congress except by an ex-
press grant. The tenth article of the Con- |
stitution was an express grant to Congress to
count the votes through all time. The 18th |
article gave the House power to elect a Presi- !
dent under certain contingency. The House |
must judge when contingency on which il |
might elect President had occurred and |
the House could not thus judge unless it |
verified every vote.
The 18th article imposed on the House the |
actual necessity Of the counting and verifying |
the votes. When the day of counting comes |
let democrats take their seats and see that
votes opened by the Vice President are |
genuine votes. If perchance they should be- |
lieve that Gas was the case in 1870 electors
have courage to refuse 10 certify or count |
such votes; or il they find the Vice President |
opened certificates where votes alleged to
have been cast are forgeries let them have
courage now and forever to refuse such votes |
He hoped democrats would not he influenced |
either by filibustcring or by offensive in
situations that they were Matching mischief.
Except in case of Hancock State, there
was no question in any State. There was
question and very serious question as to
the vote of the State of Georgia.
disjointed, running debate then ensued, |
participated in by Messrs. McLanc, Calkiugs, |
Hunton, Cox and Mills.
Mr.. Lapham, rep, said at the last session
he looked upon the pending measure as an
attempt to debauch the electoral count. WHY
were the wheels of legislation now blockedf
Why, il was admitted there was no necessity
whatever for operation Of the extraordinary |
provisions of this resolution. That there |
was living behind it some purpose, he was
bound to assume from the ienacty with |
which the matter was pressed. Under |
its provisions, questioning retIrns would
justify the majority in rejecting the vote of
any State.
Several Others spoke on either side. and
the House
Adjourned.