Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-12
Ho,.se of Representatives.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Mr. Blackburn, of
Kentucky, stated some time during the session
a resolution had been adopted calling on the
abuses in the transmission Of matter through
the mails, under the frank of members of the
House or Senate. He understood there was a
voluminous reply in the Speakers hands, and
he therefore offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Charges have been made that the
laws of the United States have been violated
by sending through the mails, under franks of
members of the House and Senate, matter not
authorized to be sent without payment of
postage; therefore
Resolved, That select committee of five
members be appointed by the Speaker to ex-
anime into said charges and all other abuses
that may be brought to its attention connected
with the transmission of documents, letters,
etc., through the mails.
The resolution was adopted and the House
went into committee on the Indian apprO-
priation bill. The pending amendment was
that offered by Mr.. Hiscock, appropriating
$4,000 to defray the expenses of committee
of ten citizens, provided for in the act of 1869,
and striking out the clause repeating all laws
creating or authorizing such commission.
The point of order raised by Mr.. Hooker was
overruled, and the amendment was adopted by
a standing vote of 81 to 7S.
Carlisle, Geddes, Wilson and Blount were
the only Democrats who were noticed as vot
ing in the affirmative, and Valentine the only
Republican voting in the negative.
Mr.. Hiscock rose to point of order against
the sixth section of the bill, which provides
that all bids for supplies of provisions for In
dians and for transportation of the same shall
be first opened, and contracts awarded thereon,
at some suitable place in the Mississippi or
A fbn nf
of order was sustained and the section was
stricken out.
Several amendments were offered providing
for the transfer of Indian affairs from the i'll
terror to the war department, but all we're
ruled out on points of order.
An amendment was adopted providing that
all advertisements for contracts shall be made
at least sixty days before any such contract is
awarded.
The committee then rose and reported the
bill to the House.
The amendment adopted in committed rela-
tive to the Indian commission was rejected,
yeas, LOG; nays, 119. At conclusion of the roll
call the vote was tie, but before announce
ment several Democrats who voted in the
affirmative changed their votes to the negative,
with the afore mentioned result. Mr.. Ander-
son also changed his vote to the negative and
moved to reconsider. Mr.. Springer moved
to lay that motion on the table, pending which
Anderson moved to adjourn. The motion to
adjourn being adopted Mr. Anderson withdrew
the motion to reconsider and SO the amend
ment was rejected. The bill then passed.
The Speaker announced the appointment of
Converse, House, Phillips, Browne and Robin
son, of Mass, as the select committee to in.
vestigate the alleged abuse of the franking
privilege.
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the President transmitting copies Of the
correspondence relatingt to the invitation ex-
tended by the French republic to this govern.
ment to send one or more delegates to repre-
sent it in the international congress of electri
clans, to be held at Paris Sept. 16, 1881. The
President recommends an appropriation to be
made for that purpose. Message referred to
the committee on foreign affairs. Adjourned