The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-14
Forty-sixth COngress-Third Session.
WASHINGTON, December l3, 1880.


SENATE.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Vest, in
structing the Civil Service Committee to in
qure into the prOpriety Of such legislation
as shall require The filling OF vacancies IN
the Signal Service above the rank OF SER
gcant by appointment from the navy or by
promotion IN the corps, led to a general dis
cussion as TO the methods Of the Signal Blu
reau.
Mr.. Edmunds held that the Bureau was
originally a military department, and so long
as il remained so its head should be mill
tary officer.
Mr.. Vest thought naval officers were by
training better fitted for such duties. The
service was no longer essentially military.
Mr.. Maxey opposed any change in the
present arrangements.
The resolution was finally amended, on
motion OF Mr.. Edmunds, so that inquiry
shall be made by the Committee on Military
Affairs.
As so amended the resolution was adopt
ed.
On motion Of Mr.. Randolph, the bill for
the relief of Fitz John Porter was taken up
by vote OF 80 to Ia party vote, except
that Mr.. HOar voted aye"
Mr.. Randolph offered the amendment an
nounced by him few days ago.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to amend by limit.
ing TO one year from the passage OF the bill
the lime within which General POrters
restoration TO the army can be made, so mat
II the present or next President should not
see tit to restore him the bill should not live
until future administrations.
This was rejected by party vote. except
that Mr. Davis OF Illinois and Mr.. McDop-
aid voted "Aye."
Mr.. CARPENTER then argued against the
poWer Of Congress to revoke the sentence oil
the court-martial. or rei1state persons TO
the army who had been expelled.
The debate was continued at some length,
Messrs. Edmunds, Mcdonald, Hereford,
Thurman, and VOORHEES, participating.
At 4:4O p. NJ. the Senate went into eXecu-
tive session, aud when the doors were re-
opened adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Mfr. Townsen OF Ohio, presented the
credentials OF L. b. Taylor as a member
elect from the Nineteenth district OF ONO
| iMr, Gar6eld's DISTRICT
Mr.. Hurd, Of Ohio. the credentials hiy'
ing been read, objected to Mr.. Taylor being
sworn in, and moved that the credentials be
referred 10 the Committee on Elections.
Mr.. Mckinney, OF Ohio: On what
grounds!
Mr.. Hurd stated that on the 10Th Of May,
1878, a law had been passed by the ono
Legislature creating the Nineteenth dis
trict. ......,
| Mr. Butterworth, OF Ohio Qnterrupting)
The certificate of election Is regular on II:
face. is IL not
Mr.. Hurd: take 1t that 1t Is not. Pro
ceeding he said that General Garfield hat
been elected from the Nineteenth district a.
IL had been composed under the law o
1878. In 1880 the law OF 1878 had been re
peaied and new district created. Th'
ground upon which Mr. Taylor rested hi
claim was that the vacancy which hat
been created by the resignation OF Mr.
Garfield from the old Nineteenth dis
trict might be filled by the election hat
| within the territory which had formerl,
composed that district. This claim,
he submitted, was without foundation
Mr.. Garfeld's resignation could not 0cca
sion vacancy in that district, and Therefore
on the face OF the certificate it was paten
that Mr.. Taylor had no right to sit in th
House. The whole trouble was with th
LEGISLATURE OF Ohio, which had passed th'
law whereby $4,000 people would hay'
fifteen representatives in the next Congress
while 10000 would only have five repre-
sentatiyes, without making provisions 10
vacancies. Let the Legislature oil Ohi'
bear the blame, and let not the House sea
a man elected from district which had NJ
existence.
}, Mir. Mckinney argued that, ASSUMING
that there was any force In the objection
made by his colleague Mr.. Hurd) the mem
ber.elect had primd.fdcie right to bis seat
The objection should go to the Commute
ON Elections, but IN the mean time the mem
hrr.eIect should not be deprived OF his righ
n represent the Nineteenth district.
After some further discussion MIR. Hur'
Withdrew his objection, and Mr.. Taylor
having qualified, moved that The creden
tials be referred 10 the Committee on Eiet
lions: which motion was agreed to.
. The speaker then proceeded 10 call u
States for bills and. resolutions; unde
whicb call number were introduced an
referred. Among them was resolution, b
Mr. Grape, OF Massachusetts,, declaring 10
nolIcy OF the United States IN regard to tn
;ntetoceanic canal. II is as follows: ~
Resoived, de-, That the construction
the juteroceanic canal, conf citing u
~sters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
hv means OF foreign capital. under 10
.nspices OF or through q charter nom 40