Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-09
The House.

WARRINGTON, April S.-A large number of bills
were reported adversely from the committee on war
claims and laid on the table.
Mr.. Reagan reported resolution calling on the
secretary of war for information relative to the ice
harbor at Chester, Pa. Adopted.
The House then went into committee OF the whole,
Mr.. Cox in the chair. upon the army appropriation
BILL the pending question being upon the point OF
order raised against the amendment prohibiting any
of the appropriation being used for the subsistence,
equipment, transportation compensation OF
any portion of the army to be used as police force
to keep the peace at the polls at any election held
within any State. Mr. Keifer argued in support Of
the point of order, contending the
amendment changed existing the law with
out reducing expenditures. He was
not prepared to concede that Congress had power to
try law to take away from the President the right
under the constitution to execute the laws, but he
was bound to assume tho proposed amendment had
been offered for the purpose of taking away that
Presidential right and in so far as 1t did that 1t
changed existing law.
Mr. FRYE hoped no Republican would at any rate
admit that If the amendment did become law 1t
would take away any of the Presidents power
Mr.. Keifer then proceeded to argue the amend
ment 1t did not propose in any feature to cut down
expenditures of the government. All the money ap-
propriated by the bill would be expended whether
the amendment became part of the bill or not.
He denied the amendment came from committee
having jurisdiction over the subject matter.
Mr.. Sparks argued the proposition had been re-
ported from the committee on military affairs in con-
forIity with the rules.
After further discussion, the chair ruled that if
the money was relieved by the proposed amendment
from any additional duty it would be in the line of
retrenchment. It could not be otherwise, and the
conclusion must be arrived at that if the amendment
was adopted, there would be saving to the people.
Therefore he would rule that the amendment was in
order.
NJ Conger appealed from the decision of the
chair but the committee sustained the decision
yeas 103, nays 80.
Mr.. Conger suggested the time had come for gen.
eral debate upon the proposition according to pre-
vous agreement.
Mr.. MCMILLAN made the point Of order that no
general debate could be had at this stage.
Mr.. Hawley-It was distinctly understood and
agreed there should be general debate.
Mr.. McMilan-There was objection distinctly
made to such a. reement.
Mr.. Clymer thought there had been an implied
agreement that general debate should be had, and
upon his motion the committee for the purpose
of coming to some understanding.
Discussion arose in the House to whether or not
an agreement had been entered into. Mr.. Hawley
stated that had he not understood there such
agreement he would have commended for longer gen.
eral debate upon the bill.
Mr. Sparks stated he had distinctly objected to any
agreement as to any general debate upon the pend
ing proposition, but he was willing to allow reason
able time. If any man on his side of the House de-
sired to discuss the question he suggested he should
be shot on the spot.
Mr. Clymer-Is that the usual manner in which
YOU dispose of persons who discuss political ques-
lions?
Mr. Atkins said as he understood it there had been
an agreement and he moved that when the House
next went into committee of the whole general de-
bate should be limited to four hours. With this
ton pending the House adjourned.