Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-24
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
LIVELY DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.
THE HEwIrT-cALklNs CONTROVERSY, ETC
WATER SUPPLY BILL IN THE SENATE
Senate To-day.


Senate To-day.
PENSION DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED.
Mr. Logan reported favorably in the Senate to-
day from the military committee, and asked I'm
mediate consideration of the House joint resolu-
tion approprating s16 600 900 to supply deficiency
In the appropriations for army pensions for the
current fiscal year. He explained that the deficit
had arisen In consequence Of the Increased clerical
force having facilitated the work OF the depart
ment beyond the amount estimated for in the orig
maj S5O,UO,VO estimate for the year. The joint
resolution passed.
Mr. Miller reported adversely from the naval
committee the Senate bill to regulate prize money
and pensions In the navy. Indefinitely post
pOned.
Mr. sewell reported from the military committee
Albuquerque and Inter-Ocean Railway Company
ug the right OF way through the Indian Territory.
Mr. Slater reported from the committee on In
dian affairs an original bin appropriating for
the relief OF Mrs Louisa Boldly, of Lake county,
massacre. The bill went to the calendar
Under the order for the calendar, the Senate
took up the Senate bill for the relief of the officers
and crew OF the United States steamer Monitor
who participated in the action with the rebel iron
clad Merrimac in March, 1852. The amount Of ap-
preparation is stated at the actual value OF tie
500, 600
MIR Mcpherson, in advocacy of the bill, gave
Hampton Roads, and the heroic bravery OF Ad-
miral Worden, OF the Monitor, and his associates.
more meritorious than many similar cases. and
objected to 1t, as establishing vicious precedent.
MT Cameron {Pa.) called attention to the excep-
ieg:'0ni itogr 'aue OF service rendered 0s the Mon
Mr.. Logan argued that as the Merrimac was not
testroye the results OF the light were not such as
10 ent1tle the victOrS to the benefits OF prize
money.
The bill passed-yeas "a, nays o.
House Of Representatives.
The request OF the Senate for the return OF the
per cent land bill was acceded to.
MR.. CALKINs' QUESTION OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.
Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, rising to question of
personal privilege sent to the clerks desk and had
read that portion Of the letter written by Mr.
Hewitt, OF New York, to Mr.. Manning, Of Miss;s-
sippl which charges that the committee on elec-
tOnS refused to investigate the charges of forgery
prepared before that committee.
MI. Randall contended that the letter failed to
show that the gentleman from Indiana (Calkins)
had been alluded to in any relation.
The Speaker ruled that the matter did present
question of privilege
Mr.. Calkins then stated that as long as the
Charges against the committee were confined to
the newspapers he had not noticed them. But
when they were made by a member OF Congress it
Was reflection on every member Of the commit
tee. Probably it was not SO intended by the gen.
tieman (Hewit0, but nevertheless it was reflec-
mlttee on elections had never failed to inquire
into the truth OF any charge. made before it.
LONG AND NOISY DISCUSSION
then arose as to the action OF the committee, Mr..
Atherton, OF Ohio claiming that it had refused to
investigate the charges OF forgery, and Mr.. CAL
kins denying that statement Both these gentle
men were frank in their statements, and pro-
ceeded In perfect calmness and good temper; but
great number of members on both sides were
excited, and their interpretations into the debate
caused such great confusion that 1t was next to
impossible to understand the points made by the
principal debaters, The House was unusually full,
pnr n fhn nfnry
many OF them speaking at once. The confusion
increased as time passed, and at 12 O'Clock the
Mr. Calkins demanded OF his friends that in q
spirit OF fairness MIR. AthertOn should be allowed
to take the floor.
Mr.. Regan. OF Texas, however, objected
MR. DIBBLE AND Mr.. HEWITT.
Then MI. Dibble arose to question OF privilege,
but, his opening remarks falling to present such
question, objection was made to his proceeding
Mr.: Hewitt (N.Y.) then took the floor with
intention OF making an unjust charge against any
member OF the committeeon elections, and stated
the debate he had based its declarations on the
minority report, the petition OF Mr.. Dibble, and
the assertions OF the democratic members of the
As one of the foundations for his letter. Mr. Hewitt
desired to have read the affidavit OF C. Smith, U. S.
Mr.. Reed objected to this on the ground that it
was not fair for the democrats to discuss in an in
direct way what they did not dare to discuss in a
MI. Hewitt Whatever the trouble is, have
some rights on this floor, and will assert my priv
MIR. Reed.-Other people have rights as well as
you.
Mr.. Hewitt.-And you know how to maintain
them.
Mr.. Calkins then reviewed briefly the evidence
In the case and read afidavits in explanation and
GENIAL OF that filed by c. Smith, and his presenta-
ClOn OF the facts on which the majority OF the COM
mittee relied, elected several rounds of applause
from r. his party friends In conclusion, he said
Its flibustering, because some testimony is Gues-
toned. Ii the democratic party can stand on such
footing, we can afford to stand on the greet con-
has never before been questioned) OF determining
by majority vote OF this House who is entitled to
The matter was dropped, and Mr.. Calkfns called
up the contested election case.
Mr.. Randall raised the question of consdera-
uon, and, pending that, moved that when the
House adjourn to-day it be to meet on Friday
next
,.1a The vote resulted yeas !. phelps, nays 1873
this vote were MessrS Bingham Camp, Houk
Lindsay, Mason, McCoid, Scranton, sherwin, VAL
The Speaker ruled that the affidavit might be
read: IL simply charges that interlineation, era
SureS and omissions in the testimony taken In the
contest between Mackey and OCOnnOr
MIR. Hewitt continuing, submitted that that
was sufficient basis for the very moderate state
ments which he had made in his letter. He assert
ed that the whole matter should be recOmmitted
and the charge OF forgery investigated. II that
were done he would be no party to any hlibuster-
Ing operations TO keep any man from seat, even
though he thought that he was not entitled to it.
But so long as the truth was not admitted in evf-
dence, he was sure that the people would sustain
the democratic party in resisting to the last ex-
tremty any effort to strike down the right to free
representation. [Applause on democratic sidel
Mr.. Fulkerson, who has been acting with the
question.
Mr.. Muldrow, who had voted in the negative
Immediately rose and moved to reconsider and
MI CalkinS moved to lay that motion on the table.
QUORUM SECURED.
A call OF the House was then ordered but the
rocall disclosing the presence of quorum further
proceedings under the call were dispensed with,
and the question again recurred on the motion to
adjourn over
The vote resulted-yeas, WOOD N.Y); nays,
148-tw0 more than q quorum.
the republican members absent on this vote
were: Camp, Mason, Van Aernam and w. A
Wood N.Y:l. Lindsey lAe), Young and Neal tOhio)
and Valentine.
The District I'm Congress-.
1t Is very doubtful II the House win give the Dis
trct another day for the consideration OF District
business The session is now SO far advanced that