The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, DecemDef Ii.-A1lcI WIG
reading of the journal, Dolph presented the
United States Senator from Oregon.
which were read. Mitchell was then sworn
in.
The Chair laid before the Senate Il letter
from the Secretary OF the Treasury trans
mittlng the report OF the Superintendent OF
the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Hoar, from the Committee OF Privileges
and Elections, reported favorably bill to
Tx the day for the meeting of electors Tor
President and Vice President, and to pro-
vide for and regulate the counting OF the
vote for President and Eice-President. and
4 decision Of questions arising therefrom
Hoar said he would call up the bill for ac-
ton Immediately after the disposal OF the
Presidential succession bill and the bill fix
ing the salary Of United States District
judges. The bill went to the calendar
The Chair laid before the Senate a reso-
luton by Butler calling for a committee to
inquire as to the alleged organization OF
the Territory OF Dakota into Il State, and
the alleged election OF United States Sena-
tors.
Harrison did not think acommitte neces-
sary for that purpose. The efforts OF Da-
kota, he said, were perfectly respectful TO
the United States It's new constitution
fully recognized the authority OF the United
States, and stayed the hand OF the new
State organization until the new constitu-
ton should be approved by Congress. For
six years the people OF Dakota had been
trying to secure action by Congress look
ing to their admission.
The Senate had passed IL bill for their re-
lief, but the bill had not passed the other
House.
Butler inquired by what tauthority United
States Senators had been elected in Da-
kota.
Harrison replied he could show that Sen
ators had heretofore been elected under
precisely similar circumstances. Dakota
| had right to go at least as far as Tennes-
see, California and Michigan had proceeded
Butler remarked that ii the proceedings
| in Dakota were regular and proper no one
would more quickly recognize the TACT than
| himself. He had offered the resolution fol
| the purpose OF ascertaining tAe facts. He
thought the Senator from Indiana had
been working himself into passion unnec
essarily.
| He replied that he was not i'll passion
The Senator" he said, ''has never seer
me in a passion or he would be able to dis
eliminate" [Laughter.] Harrison briehy }
reviewed the history of the question OF ad
mission OF Territories, and said that Dem
ocrats, at any rate, ought not to question
the propriety OF the action OF Dakota.
! Butler said that no question OF politics
! was involved.
| Harrison was glad that Butler took 81
statesmanlike a view OF the subject.
| Butler inquired whether Harrison woult
sustain the action by the Territory o
Utah in a similar manner to the recen
action OF Dakota.
| Harrison replied he would, but reserved
| to Congress the power to approve or Oils
approve their constitution and that powe
was recognized and admitted by Dakota.
Mcmillan said Minnesota had been ad
mitted to the Union without any enabin
act. and Democratic Senators had beel
elected and were ready to take their seat
immediately upon the passage OF an act q
admission.
After further debate the matter wen
over till tomorrow, and the Presidential
Succession Bill was taken up, and Evart
addressed the Senate on it. He took tn
ground that succession provided for by tn
bill now before the Senate was the onl
nossible constitutional exercise of Il yer
limited power accorded by the Constitute
to Congress. Evarts spoke about an hou
land was listened to with the utmost atten
ton both on the floor and III tn
galleries.
After a few words from Edmunds. Ill rt
n,v TO Eyarts, and differing from him as t
fhe every limited power of Congress-, Ed
m,1nd's amendment was voted down. Yeas
|21: nays 81 Edmund's amendment wa
one striking cut that clause. The bill the
| nassed without i, division. as reported Iron
the committee.
The Chair then laid before the Senate
, bill fixing the salary of United State
.Iuuges. but, without action on that bill
| the Senate went into executive SCISSOR
and " hen the doors re-opened, ADJOURNED
In the House, Dibble, Of South Carollns
asked leave to Introduce Il joint resolutlc
opposing a Constitutional amendment: l
nroyitIes that in case of removal lro'
, office by death, resignation or constltl
tional inability, both OF the President {
Vice President Of the United States, TT
; office OF President shall devolve upon tn
) second Vice President, who shall be vote
, for in distinct ballots at the same time an
2 in - like manner and for the same term
: the President and Vice-president, by tn
I electors appointed by the several State
i The second Vice President shall presto
over the Senate III the at'senCe VI CHc ~
President, or in case the office OF Presidei
shall devolve upon the Vice-President.
, Randall, OF Pennsylvania, said he had
T. like measure which he would like to 60 WI
J. the proposition OF the gentleman iro
. South Carolina.
h Tucker, OF Virginia, saw no reason WI
= such measures should have precedence III III
}. he objected to their introduction: i
d subject OF tho rules then came up Tor d
v cussion.
- Morrison, Of Illinois. stated that
r. would try to close the general debate AZ
It O'Clock to-day. o.,
n Long. of Massachusetts agreed with I
N gentleman who demanded the largest p'
il liamentary freedom for Representatives,
~ the people here. There was only one W
r, in which the House could have absol'
is liberty and that was to abolish all I'll
no and committees and all restriction on
.e- bate, and to remand itself to the eondlt'
to of debating absolutely. Nobody. propo,s
ur to do that. The principle question 6el'
al the House was whether. having agreed II
reform measures were necessary TO c
,r- the evils under which it was suffering
Ia,,l1 M f,r<bor nh take from the ADJ