Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-05-26
XLVI. CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Nav 2!

WASHINGTON, May 20.
Senator Withers (Va.) moved to
postpone all previous orders and
proceed to consider the pension case
on the calendar.
Senator Bayard (Del stated
that night he had moved to take up
bill of great public importance,
the supervisors bill, which he was
unwilling to have displaced by any
other business. The president pro.
tenn. stated that Bayard's motion
would come up as unfinished busi-
ness at 2:30.
Senator Edmunds (Vt.) hoped the
chair would not be too hasty in
making a decision. The motion to
take up the bill fell with adjourn
ment and should have been renewed.
The president pro tenn. hoped
Senator Edmunds would point out
his authority.
Senator Edmunds said he had a
good many witnesses and would
have them sworn if necessary.
Senator Withers' motion was
agreed to.
The president pro tenn. laid before
the senate q communication from
the secretary of war, recommending
a sale of the site and buildings of
the old military post of Savannah
known as Oglethorpe barracks.
Senator Jones (Fia.), from the
committee on public lands, reported
favorably on the house bill to cons
firm certain entries and warrant
locations in the Palatka military
reservation in Florida. Placed on
the calendar.
After the passage Of a number of
pension bills, Senator Window
(Slinn.), from the committee on ap>
preparations, reported the agricul-
tural appropriation bill. Placed on
the calendar.
/. At the expiration Of. the morning
hour, on the renewed motion of
Senator Bayard (Del J, the senate
took up the supervisors bill, which
provides that supervisors of elec-
tions shall be appointed by the pres.
ident, with the consent of the senate,
and shall hold Office two years.
Senator Bayard proposed to change
the date on which the terms of
supervisors now in office should
expire from May lst to July 1st.
He also agreed to SO amend the bill
as to recognize the presidents s
right to appoint new supervisors
during recess of the senate. Sen.
ator Bayard explained the bill, and
in reply to the questions and criti-
cisms Of Senator Hoar MASS said
it was not intended to affect the
powers of supervisors in any way,
but to regulate their tenure Of office
Many Of them had already held their
places since 1871, and there was nc
. provision for their removal for any
cause. This Office could be vacated
only by death or resignation
Senator Bayard (Del. thought this
was opposed to the practice of the
government.
Senator Conkling IN. W spok,
in opposition to the bill and de
clared it was one more link in thu
q chain of legislation intended t,
nullify the laws guaranteeing fre'
elections.
Senator Mcdonald (Ind9 sup
ported the bill, and said he did no
believe federal interference with
elections was beneficial or constitu
+ tional; since, however, the demo
Gratis could not repeal the election
laws, they proposed to take th'
teeth out Of federal election ma
chinery and render it as harmless
as possible.
Senator Teller (Col.) opposed tn
bill and referred to the lawlessnes
in various parts Of the sout
as proof that federal electio
officers were needed. While b
was speaking of the use Of tissu
ballots in the south Senate
Hampton Is. o. handed hir
q tissue ballot and aske
him to read 1t. Senator Telle
said 1t purpOrted to be republica
tissue ballot, and he, thsreupou
went into tho history Of the elee