The National tribune., 1883-03-08

rules and pass joint resolution proposing
| constitutional amendment granting to the
| President power to veto specific items in bills
| making appropriation of money while approy-
| ing of the remaining items in such bills Lost
-101 to 53-not the necessary two-thirds in
| the affirmative.
| Mr. Butterworth (O.) offered to suspend the
rules and pass the bill to authorize the South
/ erp Pacific and other railroad companies to
unite and consolidate so as to form continue
ous line of railroad from the tidal waters of the
Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico BIr. But
| terwOrth explained that the bill simply author
| lied the consolidation of nine roads to form a
continuous line from the Pacific to the Gulf Of
Mexico. In order to meet every objection the
bill had been amended in many particulars.
The motion was lost-yeas 81, nays 128
Mr.. Curtin PA moved to suspend the rules
and concur in Senate amendments to the bill
increasing the pensions of soldiers and sailors
who have lost an arm or leg in the service.
Agreed to.
At $50 the House took recess until 7:30
p. m.
At the evening session resolution was
adopted seating Sessinghaus, contestant from
st. Louis, and he was sworn in. The confer.
ence report on the legislative appropriation bill
was agreed to. 1t appropriates $40, ,464, ,29S.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Saturday, the Sd inst, Mr.,
Kelley PA submitted the conference report
on the tariff bill, aud after short debate it was
adOpted-yeas 152, nays lis. 1t was party
vote with the exception that the following
Democrats were recorded in favor of the billj
Mes5rs. Randall, BeltzhOOver, Mutchler, Ermen.
trout Wise and Klotz, of Pennsylvania Bliss
Hardy and Scoyille, of New York Hariens
bergh, Harris and Ross, of New Jersey; Ladd
of Maine; Morse, of Massachusetts,; FulkcrsOn
of Virginia Wilson, of West Virginia; and
go all Tt,,f
ing Republicans voted against it: Messrs
Bayne, Bfum, Campbell, Errott, and Miller, OF
Pennsylvania; Dawes, McKinly. Robinson and
Taylor, of Ohio; Hazeltine, Ford, Rice and
Taylor, of Missouri; HubbeD, of Michiganl
and Urner, of Maryland.
The House then took recess until a. m,
when it proceeded to the consideration of the
contested election case of Lee vs.. Richardson,
from the first congressional district of South
Carolina and Lee, cOlOred contestant, spoke in
his own behalf, to which Richardson replied.
The vote was then taken ON the minority
resolutions as substitute for the majority
resolutions declaring Lee entitled to the seat
and they were adopted-yeas 12f, nays III
The majority of the committee reported a
resolution giving the contestant leave to with
draw his paper without prejudice-the effect Of
this being to confirm Richardson's right to his
seat. The vote then reCurred on the majority
report as amended by the minority, aud the
without q quorum, the vote standing-yeas
12S, nays 6.
The deadlock continued until a. m, TSun-
dayl when Mr.. Hiscock { N Y presented the
conference report on the sundry civil apprOpri-
alton bill THE bill, as agreed upon, appropri-
ates $23 500, ,147, an increase of S776, ,914 over
the appropriation originally recommended by
the House. The report was agreed to.
At 4:30 a motion was made for recess, but
the friends of the bonded whisky extension
bill opposed it and raised the point of no quo
rum.
Another deadlock ensued and at $50 a. m<u
the House took recess until 9:30 a. m<<sS
that hour the House proceeded to ta
House bills with Senate amerss
were on the Speakers table, on(f*<H Hz
was made to obtain vote on the SSE<]zzz3 -
but without success. A resolution e
of regret at the death of Governor Afsz ~
FL. Stephens, of Georgia, was passed, as als5S
usual complimentary resolution in regard TO
the services of the Speaker of the House.
On motion of Mr.. HiscOck, a committee 20
wait on the President and inform him that
Congress was ready to adjourn was ordered
and appointed.
At 11:55 the committee to wait on the Presi-
dent reported that he had no further commu-
nication to make to Congress.
Speaker Keifer then delivered his closing
address. In the course Of his remarks, he
said:
1t would be quite impossible at this time to emu
merate the many important laws which have been
enacted to foster and promote the substantial inter-
ests of the whole country. This Congress enacted
into law the first three per cent. funding, bill
known to this country and under IL a considerable
portion of the Government debt has been refunded
at lower rates than before 1t did not hesitate
to take hold of the question of pOIygamy, and it is
believed it has struck the first effective blow in the
direction of destroying that greatest remaining
public crime OF the age. Laws have been passed to
protect the Immigrant on his way across the and
upon his arrival IN the ports of this country. Laws
have also been passed to extend the charters of the
banking institutions so that financial discorCIs can
not take place which would otherwise have come
at the expiration OF the old bank charters. Many
public acts viii be found relating to the Indian
policy and the land policy of this country which
will prove to be wise. The pOst-offee laws have
been so changed to reduce letter postage from
three to two cents-the lowest rate ever known in
the United STATES No legislation of this Congress
will be found upon the statute books revolutionary
In character, or which will oppreSs any section or
Individual IN the land All legislation has been In
the direction OF relief Pension laws have been en-
acted which are deemed wise, and liberal appropri-
atiOnS have been made to pay the deserving and
unfortunate pansioner Internal rereDtte taxea
have been taken off, and the tariff laws have been
revised Sectonalism has been unknown in the
enactment OF laws. In the main, frateTnRl spirit
has prevailed among the members from all pOr-
tionS of the Union. What has been said in the
heat of debate, and under excitement, and
times with provOcatiOn, is not to be regarded in
determining the genuine feeling of concord exist
ing between members. The high office have filed
through the sessions of this Congress has enabled
me TO judge better of the true spirit of the men-
bers that compose it than 1 could otherwise have
done IL Is common to say that the House of Rep
resentatIyes Is very turbulent and disorderiy body
OF men. This Is true more in appearance than IN
reality. Those who look and do not participate
see more apparent confusion than exists in reality.
The disorder that often appears upon the floor OF
the House grows out of an earnest active sprit pos
sessed by members coming from ali sections OF the
United States and indicates in high degree their
strong individuality and their great zeal in trying
to secure recognition in the prompt discharge OF
their duty. No more conscientious body OF Hlen
than compose this House of Representatives in my
opinion, ever met. Partisan zeal has in some in
stances led to fierce word-eOnteStS the floor, bus
when the occasion which gave rise to 1t passed by
party spirit went with it.
| congratulate each member of this House upon
what has been accomplished by him III the discharge
of the important duties of Representative and with
esncerest hope that all may return safely to their
homes and wishing each 9 successful and happy
future during life, now exercise my last official
duty as presiding officer of this House by declaring
the term of this House under the Constitution OF
the United states at end, and that it shall stand
adjourned sine die.
The Letter Of a Patriot.
From the Boston Globe