Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-06

WASHINGTON, January 5.-Dr. FELTON, is
advertised to deliver speech on the election
laws at an early date, in which he win take
the ground that It is the duty Of the incom-
Ing administration to convene Congress in
extra session In order that q thorough in
vestigetion into the alleged election frauds
In the Southern States may be made. He
will declare that the late election in the
Southern States was farce. Soured by bis
defeat, which he attributes to fraud, FELTON,
seems to be jumping wholly into the arms
Of the Republicans. Perhaps he would not
object to comfortable Office under Gar
| field.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
The House was called to order at IL m /,
| and the journal of December 22d read and
approved. The Speaker then, as the regular
order, proceeded to call the committees for
reports. "fa t4
Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, Chairman of
the Commi tee on Coinage, Weights and
Measures, reported back the bill amending
section 1924 Of the Revised Statutes 80 as to
authorize charge for melting or refining
bullion when at or about the standard.
Referred to the House calendar.
The morning hour having expired Mr..
| Springer, of Illinois, introduced bill for the
| apportiOnment of Representatives in Con-
gress among the several States, and to Sc
cure to the people of each State equal and
| just representation in the House of Repre-
sentatives. A short dis cussion ensued as to
whether the Committee on Elections or the
committee on Census should have charge of
the bill.
Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, stated that the
| bill embodied more than a mere apportion-
ment 1t was drawn In accordance with the
principle of minority representation. It
| provided for the same number
| OF members during the next decade
that now composed the House 293, deduct
ing the Territories and District of Columbia.
The population Of the country was 40 &c.,
ia, which, being divided by 293, left q
population OF los, 498 as the ratio for one
member of Congress. The bill was finally
referred to the Committee on the Census
Mr.. Townsend, Of Illinois, introduced
bill In relation to the retirement of army Of
hcers. Referred.
Mr.. Ciymer, of Pennsylvania, stated that
the gentleman from New York (Mr. f.
Wood who had charge of the funding bill,
was i'll this morning, and had requested him
The House then, at one o'clock, went
| into committee of the whole, Mr. Harris, of
Virginia, in the chair, on the army appro-
| priation bill.
Mr.. Clymer, of Pennsylvania, explained
the provisions of the bill, which appropri-
| ated $50, 100, 500, an apparent reduction
| from the appropriation for the pending
| year, though really an increase, on account
| OF reapportionment. The bill was then read
| by sections for amendments.
Mr.. Hawley, Of Connecticut, offered an
amendment increasing the number of en-
listed men in the army from Is, COO TO 26, 900,
which was ruled out on point of order.
Mr.. Warner, OF Ohio, offered an amend
ment providing that no officer on active
duty in the field shall be retired without his
consent. He was induced to offer this
amendment in view Of the late retirement
of distinguished and grand officer, who
had been in service In the field ever since
the close Of. the war. His retirement
had been made not on purely
siderations. He believed 1t was due to
General Ord, the oiicer to whom he re-
ferred, that the country should understand
that his retirement in place of GenegsYi Me-
Dowell was not under circumstances in har-
mony with the merits ef the officers. Mr..
Warner had heard a rumor that General
Mcdowell had drawn his mileage for going
TO New York to yote. and he inquired
whether this bill contained an appropriation
for the payment of that mileage.
Mr.. Clymer replied that mileage had been
provided for in the appropriation bin for
the current year. 1858 e
Mr.. Keefer-Does the gentleman state as
fact that General Mcdowell did draw
mileage? eEnT
Mr.. Warner-I state that it was SO re-
ported.
The amendment was ruled out on a point
of order.
Mr.. Clymer offered an amendment appro-
priating $125, coo to pay land grants to rail
roads, fifty per cent. of what the Quarter
master General finds Justly due them for
transportation. Adopted. E,H
The committee then rose and reported
the bill to the House, and it was passed.
Mir. Reagan, of Texas, moved that the
House proceed to the consideration of
the House calendar, stating his intention to
call up the interstate commerce bill, bill
of more Importance than the funding bill
or any other measure before Congress.
Mr.. Blount, of Georgia, differed from Mr..
Reagan, thinking the funding bill the more
important measure OF the two.
Mr. Reagan's motion was agreed to and
the House calendar was taken up.
The first bin was the Hostetter bill, pro-
hibiting "political assessments the title
OF which was greeted with laughter on the
Republican side, and though there was
some disposition shown to take 1t up, it was
laid aside for the present
Mr.. Frye, Of Maine, inquired whether the
interstate commerce bill would gain any
advantage by being taken up to-day.
The Speaker replied that the funding bill
was in committee OF the whole, and that
motion to 20 into such committee would
have the preference at any time.
The inter State commerce bill was finally
4.
he had reported the bill from the commit
tee, he did not approve its provisions, and
had offered a substitute, which he pro-
ceeded to support. The hour allowed him
expired before he finished speaking, and
the matter went over, the under standing
being that when 1t next comes up one or
two DAYS shall be allowed for debate.
Mr.. Upson, OF Texas, introduced a bill
authorizing the President to retire Briga
dier General Ord on his brevet rank Of Ma
ior General. Referred.
The Speaker submitted letter from the
Postmaster General relative to bags Of mail
matter retained In the Washington post
Office, which it was attempted to send
through the mail under franks.
Mr.. Browne, OF Indiana, called for its
reading, pending which the House ad-
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the following communications:
MENTOR, o., December 81, 1880.
SIR-On the 13Gh and l4th daysof January,
A. d. 1850, the General Assembly of the
State of Ohio, pursuant to law, chose me to
be Senator in the Congress Of the United
States, In said State, for the term OF six
years, to begin on the 4th of March, A. ID.
1881. Understanding that the law
full evidence of that fact has
been presented to the Senate and
filed on its archives, l have the honor to in
form the Senate that have, by letter dated
December 23d, 1880, and addressed to the
Governor AID General Assembly Of the State
of Ohio, formally declined to accept said ap-
pointment and have renounced the same.
/ am, sir, very respectfully your obedient
servant, j. A. GARFIELD.
tF6 tAe President Of Senate Of tbs United
States
The letter was placed on the files Of the
Senate. a1
The Vice President also submitted reso-
luton of the Republican Central Club OF
New York, passed December 18th last, as
follows: ..1f ~
ResolUed, That the members Of this club,
in common with their fellow citizens, urge
upon Congress the passage OF the law sub
tad hxyE ION, oh Sherman Secretary of Il