National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-09
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
Some Democratic Schemes Fai
to Run Smoothly.
A Day of wrauglng In tho House--The
Sparks Rider Admitted TO the Army
Bill Attempt to Rcpudiate an
Agreement - Democrats in
Caucus-"Hold on Till
After the Election"
Tho National LcgIslRture.

After the usual business of tile morning
hour, Mr.. Salisbury, who had given notice
that he would call up the Spofford- kellogg
case yesterday, stated to the Senate that he
would not do so until next Tuesday, assigning
as n reason that he had been requested to do
so by the Senator in charge of tho Ute bill.
Other Senators gave notice of their inten-
tion to press tho consideration Of measures
under their special charge.
The Ute bill was then taken up and its con.
sideration resumed, but before any action was
reached tho Senate adjourned, to enable the
Democratic Senators to continue the caucus
which had been suspended at 12 o'clock, that
members might bo in their seats in the
Senate.
In the House during tho morning hour some
217 bills were reported, large number of
thom from the Committee on War Claims, adj
velsely. The others were placed on the sew
cral calendars. Among those reported were
tho following by Mr.. Neal, from the District
Of Columbia Committee: Providing for au in
dustrial homo for girls in tho District of
COlumbia for the repeal of the charter of the
Washington Market Company. adversely, and
for the sale of certain property belonging to
the United States in the District of Columbia.
Placed on the calendar
The House at the expiration of the morning
hour went into Committee of the Whole on
the Army appropriation BILL the pending
question being on the point of order raised
against the political rider prohibiting any part
of tho appropriation to be used for the subsist-
ence, equipment, transportation or compensa-
ton of any portion of the army to be used rs
police force to keep the peace at the polls at
any election held within any State. This
point was discussed at great length on both
sides. The Chair finally ruled that as any ad-
ditional duties imposed upon the army would
necessarily involve additional expense the re-.
striction from the performance of any duties
would correspondingly diminish expense, and
that, therefore, the amendment being in the
nature of u reduction Of expenditures was In
order.
A controversy then sprung up as to whether
there was to be general debate on the amend
| ment. and the committee rose to decide the
| question in the House. 1t was contended by
| the Republicans, and admitted by many of the
| Democrats, that when general debate was
closed on the Army bill proper, there was u
distinct understanding that if the rider, which
was then only known by rdmor, should be Of
| fered and admitted general debate should be
had This was denied by Mr.. Sparks and
others, and the Record was read to show that
such was the understanding. warm dis.
| Gussion ensucd over this question, Mr.. Sparks
contending that his individual consent had
not been given, and that, therefore, it was his
right TO insist that the debate should be con.
| tinued under the fivcminue limit.
Messrs. Clymer (who had charge of tho bill,
and Mr.. Atkins, chairman of the Appropra
tons Committee conceded that there was ar
understanding, and such an agreement wa
| indirectly recognized by the Speaker
Mr. Frye also gave notice that the Rcpubli.
cans intended to have general debate, and {
| coll0quy was begun looking to fixing the tim,
| for its continuance.
Mr.. Sparks said he did not think there
would be any one who desired to debate oil
that side. His friend from Georgia (Mr. Cook
said if any Democrat rose to debate they
would "shoot him on tho spot"
Mr.. Conger retorted that was the way they
usually did on that side with those who were
opposed to their notions [Laughtcr.l
| Without reaching an agreement the House
| adjourned.