Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-24
FORTI-SlITH CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, March "a, 1850.

lily lllttU SUNSlcSo ldhC dCtiOH W uiotuiU tuC
present condition OF the finances. They think
the business prosp6ity of the country would
be endangered by any such action. Mr.. Davis
spoke in favor Of the memorial, agreeing with
the memorialistS except that he advocated the
refunding Of and 6 per cent bonds at lower
rates of interest. He desired to let well enough
alone.
Mr.. Cameron, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported favorably Senate bill to place
Somerville Nicholson, now captain on the re-
tired list of the navy, as commodore at the foot
of the active list. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Davis, dn., from the committee on the
tining the duties of the reporter of the Supreme
Court of the United States, fixing his compen-
saIion; and providing for publishing and dis
Mr.. Thurman, from the same committee re-
ported fayorably House bill removing the politi-
cal disabilities of William A. Tolliver, Of Vir-
ginia. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Mcpherson, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported, with amendment House joint
resolution directing the Secretary OF the Navy
condition Of the double-turreted monitors, and
the probable cost G. completing said vessels
Placed on the calendar
MI: Mcpherson will call the resolution up dur
lDg the morning hour on Friday.
MIR. Plumb introduced bill to provide for the
payment Of bounties to certain discharged SOL
dters. Referred
heretofore reported by him from the committee
on contingent expenses for the appointment OF
an assistant librarian for the Senate, was taken
up. MI Hill explained that owing to the in
creased size OF the library, the single librarian
now In charge could not do all the work re-
Quired of him.
Mr. Edmunds remarked that up to March 4th.
1879. the administration of the library was per-
fectly satisfactory to all. 1t had not grown
much since. and the Inconvenience now felt was
simply result OF the policy adopted at that
ing them by political favorites. The appoint
ment OF another such man would not do any
good If the librarian came to his work early
in the morning and endeavored to familiarize
himself with the books in the library, he could
easily become an efficient officer; but If the Of
flee was to be regarded as sinecure, given in
reward for political services an addition to the
Mr.. Davis wv. Va.) said that the number Of
| employees of the Senate had been reduced as a
whole during this session. But in this particu-
lar instance the force was inadequate, and
| should be increased.
Mr.. Hill, in calling up the resolution, had re-
marked that there were but two persons in the
Senate library, one OF them colored labOrer
| There was but one white man connected with
! the library. II the librarian fell sick or was
unavo1dably absent, the laborer was left in
| charge.
Mr.. Conkling said he did not know why the
Senator from Georgia had remarked that there
| was but one "white man"in the library.
Mr.. Hill, fnterrupting, stated that he was not
aware that he had used the word "white."
| When he began his remarks, he did not know
| IuC CUlUl VI Cllc ulcu, Uut SUIuc S6lldlOT near
him had said that the laborer' was colored
| man. He repeated the remark without mean
ing anything tnvtdious by it.
| MI. Conklfng said the whole Senate had
| understood the Senator to use the phrase "but
| one white man. He merely wished to remark
| that before March 4, 1872 there was cOlored
i boe Was an yh an
| books, and performed his duties well; so that
| the Senate lost nothing by his being black. But
that man was turned out when the new major
W n ma q
ton by the language OF the Senator from
Georgia.
Messrs. Cockrell and Herman opposed the
resolution, thinking an increase OF force un-
The resolution was then amended on motion
| OF Mr.. Hoar, so as to require the assistant to
attend on the floor of the Senate during its seS-
| vote.
The Senate resumed consideration Of the bill
on aae me ,d calendar to incorporate the National
| tional.
Pending debate, the morning hour expired,
| and the Senate resumed consideration Of the
| Geneva award bill. Mr.. Herman addressed the
| Senate.
HOUSE.-After prayer by the chaplain, the
Speaker declared that the first business in order
| was the question whether the proposition sub.
| mitted yesterday by Mr.. McIane, providing
that the bill introduced by Mr.. Townshend QlL)
last Monday, and referred to the committee on
the revision of the laws, shall be taken from
| that committee and referred to the committee
| on ways and means, presented question Of
| privilege.
MI: Blackburn raised the point of order that
under the first clause Of rule ], defining the
duties Of Speaker, the journal of yesterday
would have to be examined and approved by
| the Speaker before the finished business, relat-
ing to Mondays journal, would come before the
The Speaker replied that the journal of Nom
DAY had not been disposed OF, and IT would be
nconslstent to take up Tuesdays journal be-
fore Mondays, for consideration.
| Mr. Blackburn argued that it was not de-
manded by the rules that the House should ap-
| prove the journal, but it was imperative that
ne e Journal o. one gay should be read at the
House on the following day.
MI REED contended that Tuesdays journal
could not be read until Mondays Journal had
| been approved, and he referred as his authority
to rule "a, which declares the order of business
| proved"
position section of the constitution which pro-
vtdes that each house shall keep journal not
! that . clerk shall keep it.
Nj. Blackburn quoted from Cushing's Manual
as support of his position.
After short but confused debate upon Mr..
Blackburn's point of order, participked in by
| and Newberry, the Speaker stated that it was
competent for, and obligatory upon, the House
to approve its journal. The Chair would, how
ever, submit the question to the House whether
the journal of yesterday must be read before
the journal OF Monday must be approved.
Mr.. COnger objected to any proceeding ex-
cept the submission of the privileged question
to the House. In the course of his speech he
was frequently interrupted by Messrs Hutchins
and Springer, and some amusing passages of
words took place between the gentleman and
himself.
The Speaker was about to submit the cues
tion to the House, when Mr.. Springer raised the
point of order, that under the rules it was the
duty OF the Chair to decide the point of order,
subject to an appeal by the House.
The Speaker replied that he desired the con-
Structfon OF the House upon the point of order,
and submitted to the House the question as to
whether yesterdays journal should be read.
The vote resulted yeas, 115; nays, 127-a party
vote, with the exception of MeSsrs. Bicknell,
Bouck, Morse, Phelps, Covert, F. Wood (N.Y),
Ross and Smith, and MeSsrs, BelZhooyer, Bach
man, Clymer, CoffrOth, Koltz, Wise and Wright,
who voted with the republicans In the mega
tive.
on the announcement OF the result Mr.. Knott
raised the point OF order that the reading of
the journal being required by rule of the
House, could not be dispensed with without
unanimous consent.
The speaker replied that the House by ma
jortty vote had put an Interpretation upon the
rule, and In obedience to the voice of the House
he would OverTule the point OF order.
Amid great deal of confusion and noise the
Speaker was piled with points of order by
MesSrs Bland, Hutchins Blackburn and Others
q nj fVuh 10 nuo 1od oad foS