Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-18
House of Representatives.

Sixth collection district OF North Carolina
and concerning all other abuses perpetrated In
said district by internal revenue officers, which
/. relate in any way to the internal revenue law!
of the United States, or the conduct of inter
nal revenue officers. The resolution is proceed
ed by preamble stating that charges have
been made that the great expense attending
the collection of the small internal revenue
tax is attributable to abuses among officers of
internal revenue.
Mr.. Hawk commented ON the resolution as
4 stump speech sent to the clerks desk, and
had read letter from District Attorney James
Boyd, denying the charges. The resolution
was referred to the committee on ways and
means.
Mr.. Belford offered resolution amending
rule IA, to prevent member who has the floor
from parceling his time out to other members.
Referred.
Mr. Dingley offered resolution instructing
| the committee on commerce to inquire what
change of the law can be made to afford relief
| to the merchant marine engaged in the foreign
| carving trade, and what measures can be
adopted to promote our shipbuilding and other
commercial interests. Referred.
| Mr.. Belmont offered a resolution requesting
the president to communicate to the house all
correspondence and communications between
the government of the United States and its
diplomatic aud other agents, occurring since
| the first of April, 1879, relating to the eff
| forts of this government to bring about
peace between Chill, Peru and Bolivia, and
such other correspondence on that subject as
might be in the possession of the department
of state. Referred.
Mr.. Valentine introduced a bill providing
that appointments of Indian agents shall be
in full force and effect until successors are ap-
pointed Referred.
Mr. Crosse, chairman of the committee on
banking and currency, reported back the reso-
luton directing the secretary of the treasury
to inform the house what humber of national
banks had been organized from July LIST, 1881,
to Jan. LIST, 1882, the amount OF capital OF
each, the charter and description of United
States bonds held by the secretary as security,
for their circulation, and also calling for sim
liar information as to the banks whose corpo-
rate existence shall expire between Jan. 1852,
and Jan. 1, 1884. Adoped.
Mr.. Harris, Massachusetts, chairman of
the committee on naval affairs, reported re-
solution directing the secretary of the navy to
tronsmit to the house all papers and cores
pondence in the department relative TO Chlre-
qui coaling stations and appropriations for
the purchase thereof, and requesting him to
withhold all payment for such stations until
such information has been laid before the
house and action had by congress; also reso-
luton originally offered by Mr. Hewitt calling
on the secretary of the navy for the report of
the minority of the commission organized to
consider the condition of the navy; also, for
specific information as to the present condi-
ton of the navy. Adopted
Mr.. Talbot, from the same committee, re-
ported back adversely the bill to establish
navy yard on the Mississippi river at or near
Algiers.
Mr.. Robson called up the report of the
committee on rules Increasing the member
ship of various committees of the house. He
stated that the thirteen committees whose
membership was proposed to increase, had be-
fore them now 80 per cent. of all the business
heard AS Robson concluded his brief re-
| marks he demanded the previous question.
A storm Of mos" came from all parts of the
house, and the confusion was very great,
three or four members speaking at the same
| time and several others being on their feet,
| with parliamentary inquiries. AS soon as he
could be heard Robson declared his intention
| to have the previous question ordered and then
give the fullest possible debate. He further
stated he wished thereby to cut off amend
ments.
"Then let us vote it down." cried several
| members, while Robson, Mass, said: 81
hope the gentleman will not undertake to put
on this house for guidance, the voice of the
committee on rules. Have we not any rights
| here as members?' Mr.. Robson, however,
| insisted on his demand for the previous ques-
| ton put. Robinson, N. Y, before the ques-
| ton could be submitted moved to lay the
| whole subject on the table. The motion was
| lost-yeas 70, nays ia.
Robinson then stated that on behalf of the
committee on rules he would recede from his
position and withdraw the demand for the pre-
vious question.
Mr.. Page offered an amendment that the
| committee on improvement of the Mississippi
| river shall not have authority to report an ap-
preparation on that subject.
| Mr.. Robson said there was no intention to
give the committee that power.
Mr.. Kelly offered an amendment to strike
out the clause increasing the membership of
| the ways and means committee.
Mr.. Hutchins opposed the report of the
committee on rules. He spoke in vein of
| sarcasm, and pointed out what he called the
incongrulties of the existing formation of the
committees of the house, and claimed that the
speaker had too much power, and he, not the
house, controlled legislation. Committees
should be appointed by the house, and the
dictator and arbiter of legislation.
Mr.. Kasson also opposed the report of the
committee, and the measure by which the
house should be charged with the duty of ap-
pointing committees. 1t would be no disre-
spect to the speaker. He had done the duty,
| always embarrassing, imposed upon by the
rules. Such measure would relieve him
from that embarrassment, and that induce
ment, to bribery by the offer of places on the
election of speaker would be done away with
forever. (Applause.) Every speaker
ought to be removed from temptation
Mr.. Orth then offered as substitute for the
committees report his amendment forelection
at the beginning of each congress, of COM
mission charged with the duty of assigning
the membership Of commissions. In offering
the substitute he disclaimed any intention of
interfering with the present organization of the
house in one way or another. Neither did he
intend any disrespect towards the occupants of
the chair or any infringements on rights
which naturally belong to him. He merely
proposed the house should resume its natural
aud legitimate and proper power, power
which the speaker now exercised and was
neither more nor less than to dictate the legis-
lation of the country.
Mr.. Robson raised the point of order
against Orth's substitute, but withheld it for
the present.
Mr.. Reed, member of the committee on
rulesSaid he would vigorously protest against
Orth's proposition if he thought there was
any danger of its being adopted by this or any
other house. Think of the committees of the
house going to commission Think of the
log rolling there would be to have
the commission elected in order
to favor particular measures.
He did not believe any material interest of the
country was liable to be destroyed or injured
by any committee appointed by the speaker.