The Portland daily press., 1880-05-24
XII With CONGRESSES Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON May %.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of the Treasury answering the Sen
ate resolution of inquiry regarding the method
adopted in the revenue service in SubStracting
tare on foreign sugars imported in boxes. The
Secretary reports that fourteen per cent is al
lowed in such cases. This rate is thought to
represent the average tare, but the importer
may insist upon the ascertainment of the ac-
tual tare in any case.
A resolution was adopted directing the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to inform the Senate of
the number, location and annual rent of build
ings in the District of Columbia for the use Of
the United States.
The Senate passed bill extending the
northern boundary of Nebraska SO as to in
clude all that part of the present TERRITORY of
Dakota south of the forty-third parallel and
east of Keyapaha river and " est of the main
channel of the Missouri river.
The joint rule for counting the electoral vote
was, taken up. Mr.. Morgan spoke in its sup
port He referred to the demand by the peo-
pie for some settlement of the disputed ques-
ton as to how the count should be made.
Mr.. Conkling asked how this resolution
tended to that end. 1t required neither the
signature OF the President to perfect it nor to
PROSTATE it. 1t had a mere ephemeral existence,
whereas by an act solemnized by the con-
currence OF all elements of the law-making
power there could be a permanent provision
which would not be subject to the caprice or
mere inaction OF a single house.
A'AA. DAOi 5oh, III iCPiy, lOpCdtOu lio
that the President could not constitutionally,
and at all events should not, be participant
in legislation which might affect his own right
to office In this connection he intimated that
the Republican opposition to the resolution
might result from a desire to have the Presi-
dent indirectly control the count.
Mr. Conkling said that for the purpose of
tranquilizing both the Senator from Alabama
and the Senator from Ohio (Thurman), who
was making side remarks to him, the former
being more intent cOuntlnS and the latter
on getting votes, Qaughter) but both collud-
ing, oonspiring and confederating together, to
use the language of law, by hook or by crook,
il possible, to secure the next presidency to
the party OF which they were such distin-
guished ornaments, he would state it made no
difference what step would be taden for count
ing the votes or the mode in which it was to be
done. Their prospect was mere dissolving
view. In the inevitable end the people were
going to elect President who was not likely.
by having any act submitted to him at this ses-
sion, to be called to act in his own case. He
thought he could assure the Senator from Ala
bama, as bad politician as he (Conkling) was,
tyro in the art, that the people would elect
President next time, that votes would be
counted with sufficient fairness to ensure the
result which they meant, and, therefore, he
was looking with a good deal more pleasure
than he otherwise would upon this and vari-
Gus other legislative proceedings, all designed
to affect that result. 1t was foregone con-
cluslon and all OF them put together could not
in his Judgment circumvent or confute the re-
suit.
The debate was continued at some length,
Mr.. Conkling INDUCING in some righteousness
at the expense of Mr.. Thurman, who, he said,
he hoped would be the Democratic standard
bearer.
HOUSE.
After debate the morning hour was dispen-
sed with. There was good deal of opposi-
tion shown to proceeding to the consideration
of bills for the erection of public buildings
When motion to go into committee of the
whole was made, the opposition ref used to
vote, and raised the point of mo quorum
The House finally went into committee up
on bill reported from the committee on
public buildings.
After series OF votes on questions of order,
ETC., the committee rose and the House ad-
iourned without transacting any business.