Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-02-16
FORTY-sEVENTH CONGRESS
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.

"AohINGIoN, reD 1O-
SENATE.-A resolution reported by MIR. Platt of
Connecticut, from the Committee on Contingent Ex-
penses, to provide messenger for each of the Com
mittees on Finance, Postoffces Pensions Claims
Judiciary, and Engrossed Bills, was discussed. The
absolute necessity of the provision to facilitate
mittee business was generally conceded, and on mo
ton of Mr.. Ingalls, of Kansas the District commit
tee was included in the resolution.
Mr. Call introduced resolution to open negota-
tions with Spain towards securing the repeal of the
tax on cattle imported into Cuba from the United
States.
his resolution that the pension act be not
pealed. The Utah polygamy bill taken up at the
amendments and additional sections providing that
any man cohabiting with more than one woman shall
be fined to the extent of $50 and up to Elk months
imprisonment, or both, at the discretion of the
court for each offence, agreed to. On the
offenders prior to the passage of the act condition
and under such limitations he shall deem proper
Mr.. Hoar commended that Congress had no power to
confer such power
Mr.. Edmunds said this intricate subject but
from English Jurisprudence He said the power of
the President to grant conditional had passed
beyond the range of ordinary discussion.
Mr.. Bayard said action of Congress could en-
large or diminish the pardoning power of the presi
dent and the section evidently suggestion that
there was no disposition to persecute prosecute
for anything that happened in the past.
After remarks by Messrs. Hoar and Garland the
ton was agreed to.
A long debate the last section, which de-
cares all registration and election Offices of the terri
tory vacant and confers powers a commission of
to canvass the votes at election and issue cert
Gates of election to eligible persons.
commission was Unconstitutional dangerous and in
defiance of the popular will
Mr.. Edmunds said the territories of the United
States were under the legislative power of the govern
ment The section was framed 20 put the po-
Iitca power of Utah into the hands of nersons che
dent to law and not in the hands of the hierarchy
and polygamists who did not recognize the law, in
other words to reorganize the territory.
Mr. Bayard pointed out that the system so-called
theocracy had displaced republican principles in
Utah, and it necessary for the maintenance of
f1ofth he
That could be done by annihilating all statutory
other government of the Territory The measure was
needful regulation for the proper and wise govern
ment of Utah.
Mr.. Vest fully concurred in the adherence of the
existing state of affairs in Utah. but the Senate should
be careful lest it strikes the safeguards personal
liberty, personal rights and republican institutions
dence of the United States, and established prn
cipe which in his judgment struck down the funda-
mental principle of American liberty. If there
clause of the constitution the national
heart it that which declared that no one should
ton by competent tribunal The section took away
the right of citizens to VOTE and it arbitrary
despottc and unconstitutional.
Mr. Garland said the provisions of this section were
intended to be rough as desperate needed des
perate remedies He held that its provisions
well sanctioned by organic law and presidents any
measure ever passed by Congress.
Mr.. Bayard said the government of Utah a ma
levolent union of church and State thaocratic gov
eminent higher in the estimation of its voters than
the const of the United States and compelling
an obedience hostile to the spirit of liberty and law
1t was clearly within province of the government
to enact such laws as would terminate doctrine
- Evil a1d reIioinus Hhart tb,t ~
was designed to protect. He denied that this
ton took from man any right not conferred by law
and which he not capable of losing by the repeal
At5pm Mr. Barris moved to 20 into executive
| session. Mr.. Edmunds opposed the motion on the
ground that it time the Senate should settle
down to the transaction of important business The
motion was lost by vote of 81 to %.
Mr. Jones, of Florida. addressed the Senate the
constitutional questions involved.
do 10
voted, and after informal discussion under
standing that vote the bill should be taken to-
morrow evening arrived at, and the Senate adj
jeurned at $685.
HoUsE.-The morning hour having been dispensed
with the House resumed the consideration of the
portonnlent BILL and Mr.. Herbert, of Alabama, con-
tinued his speech in opposition to any increase in
| the membership of the House. 1t said that
large bodies had the advantage Of being diff
cult to corrupt but he commended that members
would bring more schemes Just in proportion as
l the membership was increased, the members would
lose personal Individuality and responsibility and
would rely upon committees The corrupt man, in
stead of endeavoring to corrupt the House, would
| apply himself to the committees. The committees
could not be made large enough to put them beyond
| the reach of temptation He favored constitution
| al amendment limiting the number of Represents
| tives.
Mr.. Joyce, of Vermont declared that the bill re-
ported by the Census committee dead Julius
Cesar. 1t was now lying in state awaiting burial.
The sad procession would be formed to take ii
to its last resting place. AT the head of that process
| sion would walk the gentlemen from Iowa (McCoid
who acted as midwife at the birth of this nonstrosi
| ty followed by the gentleman from New York and
| Pennsylvania (Prescott and Bayne), who had acted
sponsors at its unhoIy baptism with the
gentleman from Ohio (AcClurel, who had performed
the delicate duties of wet nurse bringing up the
Gentlemen might talk of land grant Steals of salary
grabs, of cipher dispatches Of the Oregon theft IN
1876, the Morey letter; but they all dwinded into
tnsgnihcance by the side of this scheme to rob fou1
States of this Union of fair and just proportion
Representatives this floor and in the electoral col
lege. The bill was blow against New England and
in the of that section he protested against it
He argued in favor of an amendment offered by him
self and which Is still pending, fixing the represents
ton $685. asserting that did justice to every Stat,
and to every section of the country.
Mr. Carpenter opposed the bill and favored 1926 fol
the members of the house. Mr.. Williams of Wiscon
sin, urged that action be longer delayed. Mr.
Deering. of Louisiana, opposed the new method. Mr.
Brumm of Pennsylvania opposed the bill, did also
Mr. Clements, of Georgia. Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas
favored 325 members. Mr.. SpooDer of Rhode Island
opposed the bill Mr. Lomans of South Carolina, ia
vored 600 members, claiming that the more members
the less liable the lobby to control Congress- and th
number would bring the various sections of this grea
country into closer social relation
The House adjourned at 500