Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-12
Forty-Sixth Congress.
WASHINGTON, March l

sENATE.-Mr. Sharon presented petition Of newspaper proprietors of Nevada for a re- duction of duty on paper. Referred. MT. Sharon said that there had been comment upon his long absence from his seat in the Senate. This absence was caused by the fact that after his election the operations of 8 sriend had involved him to the extent of mil lions of dollars, and his duty to the large in- terests depending on him had demanded bis attention. He regretted this as he would have been glad to take part in the delibera- tions of the Senate. He would be obliged three or four weeks. and asked the indulgence of the Senate on that account He said now, as he has often said before, that he knew his duties and responsibilities, and that his resig- nation was at the disposal of his constituents whenever they chose to call for it.
 The Fitz John Porter bill was called and Mir. Jones took the floor. MT. Jones argued to show that Congress has the power of re- versing the decision of the court martial. Congress has power to do away with the ap- proving power of the Executive on the de- cision of court martial, and Congress could legislate to nuIlify and abrogate the sentence of a court martial. The latter Is a portion of the machinery provided by Congress to regu- late the land forces. This is not judicial power.
 At $40 p. m. MT. Jones concluded his re- marks, and MT. Davis, of West Virginia, moved CO SuSp6uU all pE6SlOuS Oru0fS AnQ take up the fortifcation appropriation bill. Mr. Davis said he had intended to move the suspension of the pending bill (the Porter) to some fixed day, but objection had been made to laying aside the bill informally, and so he thought it would be useless.
 MT. Burnside moved that the Senate pro- ceed to the consideration of executive busi- ness, which motion was lost.
 MT. Logan offered an amendment to the motion of MT Davis to indefinitely postpone the bill
 MT. Davis moved to lay the present order (the Porter bilD on the table.
 The fertilization appropriation bill was then taken up and the title read.
 Pending further consideration the Senate went into executive session, and at 4:40 ad- journed.
 HoUsE-Mr. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, in a personal explanation said that for the first time in nineteen years he had been corruptly approached for the purpose of controlling his vote in the Committee of Ways and Means and in the House. A member of the auda- cious lobby had told him that he was acting in disregard of the sentiments of his people, to which he replied thet though sixty years had passed over his head, he was still able to take care of himself.
 The political assessment bill was taken up. In voting by tellers on the motion for the pre- vious question on the bill the Republicans withheld their votes. Mir. Conger made the point that there was not quorum.
 Mir. Hostetter wanted the other side to fix 8 time for debate, but they refused to do so, and no compromise could be effected. The House was called, and 243 members answered to their names. The tellers again took their places and again the Republicans withheld their votes and broke quorum. Another in effectual attempt was made at 8 compromise.
 MT. Hostetter asserted that MT. Garfield had assented to an agreement the other day to close the debate, and MT. Garfield and other members denied it.
 MT. OoDger inquired why the appropriation bill was not brought up. The Republicans were anxious to vote on it.
 Mr. McMahon said the deficiency appropria- tion would have been in if the public printer had answered certain plain and intelligent questions which would give the committee i'm formation as to the amount of money actually required for his office. These questions ought to be answered and he thought would be an- swered tomorrow.
 At this point MT. Aiken, of Alabama, moved to lay the bill and amendments on the table, It was obstructing public business and should be got out of the way. The motion was lost, 121 to 112. Messrs. Aiken and Felton voted aye with the Republicans, otherwise the vote was partisan.
 Pending further consideration Mir. Springer gave notice that he would call up the Bradley and Hemans case on Tuesday next and the Yooum and Curtin contested case on Wednes- day.
 MT. McMahon said in view of that notice he would call up the deficiency appropriation bill to- morrow.
 The House adjourned at 4:25 p. m.