The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-05-27

Editor and Proprietor.
FORTY-SlXTH CONGRESS.
(Seoond sesaion.)
WASHINGTON, Nay 24-The president pro tenn.
laid before the Senate . communication from
tho president Of the Smithsonian Institute re-
commencing IN appropriation of $4,000 for
comt letting the preparation of the scientific re-
sultso of Halls arctic expedition. Refer: d.
Senator Carpenter from the committee on
judiciary reported favorably on the bill regula-
ting the terms of the United States courts in
Iowa. Placed ON the calender. On motion of Sen.
ator Carpenter, his resolution providing for =
special committee to inquire into the manage
ment Ut the soldiers home in the district wa
taken up.
Senator Burnside moved to amend 10 a. to
instruct the committee on military affairs to
make an appointment. Amendment adopted
and the resolution amended passed.
The bill passed appropriatine 900 for the
statue of Joseph Henry, late secretary of the
Smithsonian Institute.
Senator Eaton from the committee on ap.
propriations reported with amendments of the
House bill, making appropriations for def
cieuoy in the appropriations for payment Of
pensions for the year ending June 30th inst.
Placed on the calender.
Senator salisbury for the committee on
privileges and elections reported adveraely on
representatives and delegates to Congress-. In-
definitely postponed.
On motion of Senator Beck, oHuse bill
amending the revenue laws, known as the Car
Isle bill. was taken uD. After . short debate,
Senator Morrill, moved to strike out the seven
linn foru oil fop
in warehouses;. Rejected. The bill then
passed.
number of bills granting pensions passed.
The morning hour having expired, the Senate
resumed consideration of Senator Morgan's
resolution providing . rule for counting the
election vote. senator Teller, . member Of
the select committe from which the resolution
was reported, said he would not support it. It
was placable on its face, but not fair in fact.
1t was q mere temporary expedient and might
even be abrogated by tho action of either house
during progress Of the count. This would iu-
dictate the aAvisability of passing a bill
instead Of revision, but he did not insist on
this point. In his opinion the principle of the
nersurc was bad. 1t was the first step toward
arrangement by which the two houses
60 into the whole question of the qualification
ot electors and all the facts connected with
elections; perhaps the presumption was that
Congress would act justly. but it was danger
ous toplace this power and temptation in the
hands of politically divided party.
toward confusion and anarchy.
He wished the adoption of some measure
providing for a fair count, but was opposed t.,
any measure taking the decision of the role Of
the State ont of its own hands.
Mr. Ingalls, spoke against the resolution. He
thought joint resolution insufficient. There
should be statute, or an amendment, to the
constitution, and he preferred the latter. Some
immediAte action was necessary. There never
would be another electoral commission. The
next disputed election would not be decided by
juggle trick. 1t would he settled by law
or by force. To test the sense of the Senate
upon his view of the question he proposed the
following substitution for the pending reso-
luton.
I'm deciding upon any question that may
arise upon receiving certificates or counting
votes the votes shall be taken by Statea with
out debate, the representation from each State
in both houses having one vote. A quorum
for this purpose shsll consist of twO-thirds of
the States, and q majority of all States shall
be necessary to = decision.
Senator Ingalls, held that the moment \ dis
pute arose . regular procedure was entirely up
Let and there was constitutional provision
covering such cases, except that by analogy
the House should then decide the question by
its State representatives."
Senator Oonkling, in commenting upon In
CALLS position, said he understood that the con-
stitution plainly directed thst4he who received
. majority of the electoral votes shall not only
be declared, but shall be president. If there
be no such person, the house elects president.
Debate ensued between Ingalls,. Conkling,
Thurman, Edmunds. Eaton and Morgan.
At the close of the debate Ingalls, hs wing
withdrew his amendment. Senator Edm unds
moved to substitute for the pending resolution
his own bill recently reported adversely from
the committee. It provides that each State
may try and determine before the time fixed
concerning their appointment, and snch deter
dso:s of ''i lawful title s'''s'''s Of
and snail govern in counting the electoral votes
as provided in the constitution and by subse-
was reiected--yeas 1a, nays 81; party vote,
Republicans voting yea, Democrats no.
Senator Edmunds then moved to insert in
the Senator Morgan resolution the second
section Of his bill, being substantially the Ian
guage given above.
Debate followed, after which the amendment
was rejected. Yeas, IA; nays, &c. A party
vote.
Senator Teller offered An amendment that
nothing in the rules shall draw in question the
number of votes on which any elector has been
appointed. Rejected by party vote.
The resolution was passed. Yeas, rs; nays,
IA. A party vote.
At 1850 Senator Bayard moved to take up the
bill introduced by him aud reported favorably
from the judiciary committee March 10th, to
define the terms of Office of certain officials of
the United States. 1t provides that supervisors
of election shall be appointed by the President,
by and with the advice of the Senate, and that
their terms of office shall endure two years.
The Republicans ye4orted to fillibustering bv
retaining from voting, and finally adjourned
without taking any action.
The House.