Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-05
CONGRESS- SECOND DAY.
VIRGINIA'S CONTESTED SEAT
STILL ON THE TAPIS.

tAo Doom Out OF the civil Rights
hediV1Vus-Several other Senators
sent on the Same End-Court Abuses
in Texas.
WASHINGTON, Dec. I'm the House this
morning after the reading of the journal, Mr..
Converse, OF Ohio, said that he had been re-
quested by Mr.. Manning, of Mississippi. to
ask the unanimous consent of the House that
the question of his prima facie right to the
seat be referred to the Committee on Elec-
tons, with instructions to report upon it at
the'earliest day possible.
Mr.. keifer, of Ohio, asked that the case of
Mr: Chalmers be also referred.
MT. converse put his request in the form of
resolution, referring to the Committee on
Elections, all papers in the contested election
case from the Second district of Mississippi
with instructions to report Immediately
Mhether on the prima facle of the case as pre-
sented, either Mr.. Manning or Mr.. Chalmers
Is entitled to be sworn in as a member pend
ing the contest on the merits and not effect
the final right TO the seat. The resolution
was adopted.
The Delegates from the Territories then
appeared at the bar of the House and were
sworn in.
The resolution prepared in last nights eau
Gus that the rules of the last Congress be the
rules of the present Congress until the eNpira-
tlon of two weeks from the appointment of
the Committee on Rules, was adopted.
The organization of the House was cOmplet-
ed by the adoption of single resolution en-
bracing the names selected bv the Democratic
caucus for all offices below Speaker and de-
claring them elected
Mr.. Dunn, of Arkansas offered n resolution
Tor the appointment of committee of fifteen
members. to be known as the Committee on
rivers and Harbors, to which shall be re-
ferred propositions for the Improvement of
rivers and harbOrs. Referred to the Commit
tee on Rules when appointed.
A committee, consisting of Mr.. Curtin, of
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Blackburn. OF Kentucky
HISpOeE
pointed to wait upon President Arthur and
inform him that the House was organized and
ready TO receive any communication he might
be pleased to transmit.
The business of drawing for seats was then
proceeded with. When this was concluded a
recess was taken to 2:30 O'clock. At that hour
the committee to wait upon the President had
not reported, and the recess was extended to
O'Clock.
On reassembIing at 8 O'clock Mr. Tucker.
of Virginia, offered a resolution referring to
the Committee on Elections, when appointed,
the certificates and all other papers relating
TO the election of the Representative from the
First district of Virginia, with instructions to
report at as early q day as practicable which
of the rival claimants, Messrs. Mayo and Gar
rlson, for the seat, has the prIma facie right
thereto, reserVng to the other party the priv
llege of cOntesting the case on its merits.
At this point the committee appointed to
wait upon the President appeared at the bar
of the House and announced that the Presi-
dent would communicate to the House a
tary, at 3 :05 O'Clock. appeared and presen ted
the Presidents message.
Consideration of Mr.. fuckers resolution
was then entered upon.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Randallthe matter
was allowed to 90 over until tomorrow, and
at 1870 the Reading Clerk began the reading
OF the Presidents message. The reading of
the message consumed an hour and quarter,
and then, on motion of Mr.. Morrison. of Hi
nois, it was ordered printed and referred to
the committee of the whole. The House
then, at 4:5O adjourned until tomorrow.
IN THE SENATE.
The Senate was called to order at noon
After reading the journal a large number of
bills and petitions were introduced, among
them the following:
BY Mr.. Ingalls-To amend the arrears of
pension law by removing certain limitations
made on that act.
By Mr.. Beck-Providing for the removal of
all disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth
amendment TO the Constitution: also, au-
thOrlZlng American citizens to purchase
foreign built ships to engage in the foreign
carrying trade.
By 1fr. Edmunds-To provide for the fur
ther protection of the colOred citizens of the
United States against the violation of certain
rights secured to them by the Constitution.
Also to establish postal telegraph system.
BY Mr.. Sherman-To provide for the issue
of circulation by national banking associa-
tiOns, allowing bills to be issued for 90per
cent. of the market value of their bonds.
Mr.. Edmunds-TO amend sections 1856 and
1851 of the revised statutes. IL abOlishes the
iron clad oath and fixes one oath for all Of
ticers alike, saving, however, all provision.
against rebel claims and all penalties, etc.
Also a bill to provide for the further protec-
tion of citizens of the United States against
violation of certain rights secured to them by
the Constitution. The bill undertakes, Mr..
Edmunds said, to provide security for the
protection of the cOlOred citizens of the Uni
ted States against inhuman. wicked and un-
holy distinctions thatn some of the States are
still made against them in respect to their
ri u tn I-nf cfo flx~
with the late decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States. Also. another bill,
being redraft of the bill reported by the
Committee on Judiciary some years ago,
dealing in general with the rights of cOlored
citizens, especially with a view of securing
them free vote and fair count of all votes.
BY Mr.. Blair-A bill to establish a bureau
of statistics of labor, under the Department
of the Interior. Also, an S-hOur law, con-
corning all government employees.
BY Mr.. Logan = a bill to appro-
pirate and eXpend the $4,000, 900 de-
rived from internal revenue taxes and
the sale of public lands Tor the education of
all children living in the United States.
By several Senators-A number Of bills
affecting the public lands in the Northwest
and affecting land grant railroads.
By Mr.. Gala bill for the erection Of pub
lie buildings in Jacksonville and Key West.
By Mr.. HOar-A bill providing for a uni
form system of bankruptcy. This is the Low
ell bill introduced in the last Congress.
By Mr.. LOgan-A bill to provide for pen
Confederate prisons during the late war.
BY Mr.. Brownie extend the time in which
action can be brought in the Court of Claims
under the provisions of the captured and
abandoned property act for two years.
Recess was taken successfully to ? 80 and
O'Clock to await the report of the COM
mittee appointed to wait upon the President.
Senator Wilson, of Iowa, offered Joint res
OlutlOn proposing the following amendment
to the constitution:
Congress shall have power, by appropriate
legislation, to protect citizens Of the United
states in the exercise and enjoyment of their
rights, privileges and immunity, and to
assure to them equal protection of the laws"
bill was introduced to-day by Senator
Lapham, of New York, defining the words
Confederate cruiser'' in the act of june 3.
1882, establishing the court of Alabama claims
TO mean "any organized expedition fitted out
under the orders or direction of the COnfed-
crate Navy Department. although such expe-
dtion had no ship or vessel at the time the
damage was done" The bill also contained
provision for the rehearing of any case invOlv-
ing this question heretofore heard before this
court.
A resolution offered by Senator Vest
was agreed to- calling upon the Secretary of
the Interior for copies of all leases, contracts,
orders, regulations and correspondence had
by the department with any parties since the
last session relating to the Yellowstone Park,
including q statement of all special privileges
granted, and of all applications for the privi-
lege of building hotels, etc.
\ memorial presented this afternoon by
Senator Coke relating to alleged abuses in the
United States District Courts Of Texas, is
signed by VI. Evans, United States Attorney
for the Western District of that State. IL sets
forth that the United States District Judges
of Texas are failing to hold terms of their
courts as fixed by law; that they are ap-
pointing their sons, sOns-in-law and brothers
In-laW to the places of District and Deputy
District Clerks in their courts, and keeping
them IN office TO the great wrong of the pub
lie. Among other illustrations of the charges
made, the memOrialst mentions the fact
that the United States District Judge for the
Western district of the State has in the last
three years, held only two terms OF the court.
when he should have held six, and that for
this negligence there was no good cause. The
memorial prays for legislation to cure the
evil described.
Senator Edmunds' bill to provide for the
further protection of the colOred citizens of
the United States against violations Of GER
tam rights secured To them by the Constitu-
ton, begins with preamble stating that
doubt has arisen whether the laws of the
United states now in force are IN all respects
adequate to the protection of citizens of any
race, color or previous condition of serYitude.
The bill provides that whenever in any case
now pending, or which may hereafter
be pending. IN any court OF any
state on the issue shall exist or be
made, or any material question shall
arise concerning any civil right Of person or
right of property which shall be assaled or
maintained or assailed or denied in
any such issue or question on the
ground that such issue or question depends
upon, or is affected by, race or color or pre-
viOus condition of serVitude, any person or
persons concerned in and party to such issue
or question the person or persons against
whom such issue or question shall be made
asserted or maintained, or against whom anV
such denial shall be made on the
ground aforesaid, shall be thereupon
entitled to remove such cause to the Circuit
Court of the United States for the district
within the territorial limits of which such
case SHAH be pending for proceedings. trial