Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-22
FORTY.SlXTH CONGRESS.
THURSDAY. April %.

SENATE.-The Vice President laid before the
Senate joint resolution of the Archaeological
society, of New York city, relative to the bill
providing for admission, free of duty, Of clas-
sical antiquities. Referred.
Mr.. Harris presented the petition OF the Ger
man society, of New York, praying for prOtec-
tion to emigrants In New York. Referred.
Mr. MaXey, from the committee on post Of
fees and post roads reported with amendments
the post route bill. Laid on the table to be
called up tomorrow.
Mr.. Morrill, submitted resolution instruct
ing the committee on printing to take such
measures as shall exclude from the permanent
Congressional Record what purpOrts to be a
copyrighted argument OF territorial delegate
which appears IN the Record to-day, but was
not, in fact, ever delivered in the House of Rep
resentatives. This refers to a poem by Mr.
Downey of Wyoming, occupying fifteen pageso
the Record OF to-day. purporting TO De an argu-
900 for painting upon the walls Of the Capitol
illustrative of the life OF Christ
Mr.. salisbury thought that the House having
authorized the poem to be printed, the Senate
could not in courtesy interfere.
MIR. Morrill, said the Senate would have to bear
part of the reputation, good or bad, of author
iZing this production.
Mr.. Hardin said the committee on printing
was just committee, and nothing would be
done without consulting the House. He hoped
this affair would result in future exclusion OF
speeches and other productions not actually de-
livered in Congress.
Mr.. Morrill, said that since Offering the resolu-
tion he had learned that the House was consfd-
ing the matter. He therefore withdrew his
On motion of Mr. Voorhees, the bill introduced
by him permitting Elias c. Boudinot of the
Cherokee nation to sue TN the court Of claims
for damages to him by seizure of his property
by revenue officers was taken up.
Mr. voorhees, supported the bill.
The bill was replaced on the calendar.
The morning hour having expired the Senate
resumed consideration of the army bill.
HOUSE.-A rather singular scene occurred In
the House this morning. In the Record there
appears a speech in blank verse, entitled
1.-THE INMORTALS,"
which is copyrighted by Downey, OF Wyoming.
and which purports to be in support of his bill
providing for the painting OF Biblical pictures
On the walls OF the Capitol.
Mr.. Carried called attention to this fact, and
moved that the speech be referred to the COM
miuee on rules, to inquire whetherit Is compe-
tent Tor member to copyright his speech,
pointing out at the same time the dangers
which might attend such a practice.
Mr.. DOWney replied that he had the opinion
| or the Librarian OF Congress upon the compe-
tency of his copyrighting his work. He had Nc
objection. however, to Mr.. Garileid'S motion.
amusing speech. in which he fntimated that
Mr.. Garfield was envious of the rising young
poet.
The yeas and nays were ordered on Mr.. Gar
| fields motion. During the roll cali the men,
| belS separated into groups, the singular speech
being the sole topic OF conversation.
MI. GSrHeldS motion was then agreed TO-
yeas ll?, nays 105.
JEFFERSON'S DESK.
The Speaker laid before the House message
| from the President informing Congress that
Mr.. j. r. Coolidge, Algernon Coolidge, Thos
| Jefferson Coolidge and Ellen Dwight, OF Mass
achusetts, heirs OF the late Joseph Coolidge jr.
| desired to present the desk on which the Decla-
| ration OF Independence was written by ThOs
jefferson and transmitting letter from Hon
| X. G. WfnthrOpe expressing the wish of the
| doEOrs TO offer it to the United States that Il
might have place in the Department of State
| in connection with the immortal instrument
| which had been written on it.
Mr. Cfapo then offered the following resou
| tions:
Reso1red, That the thanks of this Congress bt
| presented to j. r. Coolidge. Algernon Coolidge
| Thomas j. Coolidge and Ellen Dwight, Of Mas
| sachusettS, for their patriotic presentation o
| the writing desk presented by Thomas Jefferson
! to Joseph Coolidge, on which the Declaration o
| independence was written.
| Res03ted, That this precious relic be accepted
| in the name OF the nation, and that the same bt
| deposited for safe keeping in the Department o.
| State.
| ResO1red. That copy Of these resolutions
signed by the President of the Senate and tht
| Speaker OF the House, be transmitted to The
| donors.
| The resolutions were unanimously adopted
Mir. Price, from the committee on banking an(
| currency, reported bill repeating the stamp tas
| on checks. Committee Of the whole.
| The House then, at $780, went into committee
| Of the whole [Mr. Hooker in the chaIr) On the
| naval appropriation bill.