Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-01-12
HOUSE.
Indian Appropriation Bill Passed-Abu'
of FrankinG Privilege.

Indian Appropriation Bill Passed-Abu'o
of FrankInG Privilege
Mr.. Blackburn, of Kentucky, said
that some time during the session a res
olu,ion had been aioutcd calling on the
Fostmas;er-General for information as
tp III" abuses IN the transmission OF mat.
ter through the maIls under frank OF the
members Oi the Senate or House. He
understood there was a vOluminOuS re-
ply in the Speakers hand and hc there.
fore offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The charges have been
mode that tho laws OF the United States
have been violated by sending through
the mails under the franks oi the MEM
beers OF tae House and Senate matter
not authorized 10 be sent without pay
mcnt oi postage; therefore be it
RGs1'gd, That 4 select committee OF
five members be appointed by the
Speaker To examine into the said
charges and ali other abuses that may
be brought to it's attention connected
with rhe transmission OF documents,
letter., etc through the mails.
A resolution was adopted and the
House went into committee on Indian
appropriation bill.
The pending amendment was that Of
irrrd Yesterday by Mr. HiscOck appro-
pr!atln. SO coo II deiray the expenses
ui q commission of ten citizens provided
for i'm the act of 1870 and striking out
the clause repeating all laws creating or
authorizing such commission. Ghe
ameudmcnt was finally adopted by
,tandin vote OF 81 to IS.
MIR. Frost offered al amendment pro.
viiiEg that the appropriations made by
this bill shall be expended 10y the Cen
era! OF the Army instead OF by the Sec
rctarv of the Interior, out this was ruled
out OF Crder.
On motion Of Mr. Ryan, Of Kansas,
an amendment was adopted providing
that all advertisements for contracts
shall be made at least sixty days before
such contracts are awarded. The COM
mittce then rose and reported the bill to
the House.
The amendment adopted in the com.
mitlee relative TO the Indian Cummls-
SION was rejecIc1-yCas lOG, nays 9.
At the conclusion OF the roll call the
vote MAS tie, hnt before the announce
meut several Democrats WHO hat voted
yea changed their votes to nay viii the
aforementioned result. Mr.. Anderson
also changed his vote negative and im-
mediate v moved TO reconsider.
Mr. Springer mcyed to l,y that mo.
| iiou on the table, pending which, Mr..
Andersen moved to adjourn.
The motion to adjourn WAS defeated.
Mr.. Anderson withdrew his motion TO
reconsider and 50 the amendment was
rejected. The bill then passed.
! The Speaker announced the appoint
mcnt of Mcssrs. Converse, House, Phi
| lips, 3 own and Robinson, OF MasSa'
/ chuseits, as a select committee 10 lnves.
tigair the alleged abuse OF the ranking
/ p ivilcge.
The Speaker laid before the House
4 message from the President transmit
ting copies oi the correspondence reIat-
ing 10 the invitation extended hy the
/ French Republic to this Government, to
send one or more delegates TO represent
/ il in an international congress OF eiec'
frician, to be held in Paris, September
/ lGh. 1881. The Presid' N recommends
an app opriation to be made for this pur'
nose. 1ne message was referred TO the
, Committee on Foreign Affairs.
! Adjourned.