Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-20
XVII CONGRESS EXTRA SESSION.
WASHINGTON, april 10.
SENATE.

The Vice President laid aside the resolu-
ton for the election of Senate officers.
The usual motion for executive session
was lost. Yeas Is; nays 81.
Mr. Mcpherson presented the petition OF
the Paterson Parnell Land League, relative
to the case of Michael Boynton, which was
referred to the committee on foreign rela-
tons.
Mr. Harris presented similar petition,
which was referred to the same committee
Mr. Blair Offered the following:
Resolved. That in the judgment OF the
Senate, the public interests require that
Congress be convened in public session I'M
mediately.
Mr. Harris-Let that 20 over.
Mr.. Blair-I offer it merely 10 be read for
information, at this time.
He sent to the clerks desk, and had read
circular of the treasury department, relative
to late decision OF the Supreme Court in
one OF the cases brought against c. A.
Arthur, collector of New York. As TO the
tariff upon knit goods, and said he had re-
ceived letter. this morning. from the largest
firm engaged in the manufacture of hosiery
in Laconia, y. II.
Mr.. NcPherson-Does the senator wish TO
read that letter to show why there should be
an extra session:
Mr.. Blair-Yes.
Mr.. McPherson-Then my New England
friend will become aware of the fact that
revision of the tariff is needed.
Mr.. Blair-Yes.
Mr.. NcPherson-To the monopoly feat
ures of it.
Mr.. Blair-Wherc they exist. yes.
Mr.. Blair then read the letter in which it
was asserted that the decision of the Supreme
Court meant ruin to the hosiery and knit
goods industry of New England, and sug-
costing an extra session of Congress as a
relief He (Blair) had originally thought
that session of Congress was needed by the
interests of the country.
The business affairs of the country are
growing larger every year, and he thought
that continuous sessions of Congress would
be no more than adequate to the considera-
ton of public questions. He called the at
tention of the chairman of the committee on
foreign relations to the fact that DE Lesseps
was dredging his canal to-day, and it was be-
coming a vested right There would be no
remedy for this if immediate action were not
taken, unless it be by war. There were other
considerations which made it almost impera-
tive there should be an extra session. and
that as soon as the House could be called to-
gether.
| He offered this resolution without any con-
sultation with his colleagues. Let the dead
| lock be broken in the way in which the dem
ocrats would consent to have it broken.
Mr.. Logan made a speech in refutation OF the
charges made, and which hi characterized
as ISLANDERS. that he at any time sympathized
with secession. lie read in support of his
denial of the charges, a letter which he had
received from Senators Lamar and Pugh
who served with him in Congress at the out
break of the war. bearing testimony to his
(Logan's) loyalty to the Union at that time
lie also quoted from speeches made by hin
to show his opposition to secession, and chal
lenged anybody to show any speech in which
he upheld rebellion. He denied explicitly
the various charges that he had raised com
pany to join the rebels. and read letters tt
prove these were absolutely false.
The debate continued until p. NJ. wher
the Senate adjourned.