The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-23
FOrty.sixth COngress-Th,rd Session.
WASHINGTON, December %, 1880.
SENATE


Notwithstanding Mr.. Edmunds's objec.
ton on account OF the abseHce Of quorum
and the necessity for executive session, the
Senate, on motion OF Mr.. Morgan, took up
the resolution offered by him in June last,
declaring that the President OF the Senate
Is not cOnstitutionally authorized to count
electoral votes so a. TO determine what
votes shall be received and counted or what
rejected. Mr.. Morgan spoke at length in
support Of the resolution.
| He was followed by Senator Edmunds in
| opposition thereto; after which, on motion
OF The latter, the Senate went into executive
session. When the doors were re0pened
Senator Booth introduced bill 10 incOrpo-
rate the Maritime Canal Company, of Mica
ragua. Referred TO the Committee on Com
mPrce.
On motion OF Mr.. Butler, Senate bill gu
thorzing the auditing OF the accounts OF b.
s. James, q South Carolina mail contractor
in 1869, was taken up and passed.
On rotion OF Alr. Lamar. Senate bill
granting the right Of way to the county
OF Warren, Miss, and to the Vicksburg
and Memphis Railroad Company through
the United States Cemetery tract OF land
near Vicksburg, was taken up and passed.
Mr.. Brown introduced bill making an
appropriation 10 improve the Cbatlahoo.
chic river. Referred.
Adjourned to January 5th.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
After prayer by the chaplain the Speaker,
as is usual, directed the clerk to read the
Journal OF yesterday; whereupon Mr..
Bowman, OF Massachusetts. ro>e To ques-
ton of privilege relative to the dlsgraceful
proceedings which had occurred yesterday.
The Speaker said that the Chair would pre-
fer that gentlemen should wait until the
Journal should have been read.
Mr.. Bowman said that it was on that point
that he wished the Speaker 10 rule. A rule
OF the House stated that members should
not be held 10 answer nor be subject 10 the
censure OF the House for anything said in
debate il further debate or business had in
teryened. He desired to know whether the
reading Of the Journal could be construed
as such intervening business as would shut
off further proceedings by the House for
gross violation OF its dignity.
The Speaker stated that the reading OF
the Journal would take from the House
none of It's privileges.
Immediately after the reading Of the
Journal, Mr.. MeL1ne, OF Maryland, rose,
and as a question affecting the dignity OF
disorder which took place on the floor yes
terday, and which he characterized as oiien-
siye, derogatory, and discreditable to the
House as q parliamentary body. He called
upon both the offending members, before
any other business was entered, TO relieve
themselves OF that offence by ample apology.
No response having been made by either
OF the members Immediately concerned, Mr.
ID ~
what be called IA substantive proposition.
lie spoke OF the scene OF yesterday as q
crime, and as an insult offered 10 The House,
to Congress, and 10 the country. There was
not. he said, a man present who did not yes
terday hang bis head in shame, and did not
regard that scene as a personal disgrace. All
over this country and the world men were
reading this morning OF a pot-house brawl.
n gambling. house quarrel, and fight with
isis (only prevented by force that took
place yesterday.
Mr.. Harris, OF Virginia, suggested that
perhaps both the offending members were
now willing to make an apology. and II so
they ought TO have an opportunity at once.
Mr.. Haskell, of Kansas, suggested that
other members had Ueen guilty OF conduct
equally worthy OF censure.-
Dir. McLane insisted On his question OF
privilege, and offered resolution requiring
the two offending members u apologize to
the House. In the cour.e OF Mr.. McLane's
remarks he recognized that most OF The
members present yesterday were partly re.
sponsible for the scene OF disorder.
To that remark Mr. +. Wood. OF New
York, took exception aud said that he had
interfered in the discussion yesterday and
endeayored 10 conine II TO Toe funding bill.
He also characterized toe scene as the most
shameful exhibition that had ever taken
place on the floor.
MIR. McLane concluded his remarks and
said be would yield to tue gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Weaver II be were now willing
to make an apology.
Mr.. Haskell. Of Kansas. objected 10
that preceding, and declared that In his
opipion the House should rather make an
apology to the country than (having suffer-
ed an adjournment TO take place yesterday
without actiOD) to try 10 cast OF Its own
shoulders obloquy that belonged there and
single out two members rs scapegoats for
It's own sins.
Mr.. Bowman again took the floor and
quoted remark Of Mr.. +. Wood as 10 the
character OF yesterdays incident, adding
that II the two offending members bad been
two boys fighting on the sidewalk they
would bave spent the night in the Tombs
and been brought before the Police Court
IN the morning. He felt that the House |
sboUId now take action that would be
warning 10 The future. He would there
Ioeo he said. offer 4 resolution OF expul.