The Portland daily press., 1886-04-15
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE

WASHINGTON, April II.
The chair laid before the Senate today, Senator
Jackson'S acceptance of the United States judg-
ship of the 9Th circuit
A memorial of the Wool Growers convention
held at st. Louis, complaining OF the proposition
to place wool on the free list, was referred.
Mr.. Morgan said that he had been instructed by,
the committee on foreign relations to give notice
that tomorrow at o'clock, or as soon thereafter
practicable, he would ask the Senate to go into
executive session, for the consideration of an i'm
portant matter.
Mr.. Dolph gave notice that on Friday he would
ask to address the Senate on Indian depredations.
Mr., Butler then addressed the Senate in favor
of open executive sessions.
Among other things Mr.. Butler said when the
Democratic party had majority in the Senate
that majority never attempted to interfere with
the constitutional prerogat.ve of the President of
the United States, or to paralyze the conduct OF
Republican majority ofthe Senate was now doing
Ii any party ever could have a justification for
pursuing course at all like that which the Re-
publican majority OF the Senate was now pursu-
ing it would have been the Democratic party when
1t had majority i'll the Senate, for that party and
the country had then been recently cheated and
denuded OF its rightful presidency Mr. Butler
wanted the Senate doors wide open when action
was being taken on presidential nominations in
order that the country might be advised of the
frivolous character of the grounds on which
ton was required on nominations. His (Mr But
lerS) experience in the Senate convinced him
there was no use and no necessity for secret ses
sions except perhaps in considering treaties with
foreign nations The Senate of the United States
was the only legislative body in the world except
one that now had any provision for secret seS-
sionS. Was it not remarkable he asked, that this
government, boastlng of its responsibility to the
people, should be the only one that closed the
doors Of either of its legislative chambers in de
batting any matter affecting the peoples interests?
The consideration of nominations should be held
with open doors and there was no reason for Sc
crecy. The surest, safest and nearest road to
civil service reform, Mr. Butler said was ito throw
wide open the doors of the Senate for executive
as well as legislative sessions and then to permit
by law members of the Presidents cabinet to
come on the floor of Congress from time to time
and participate in the debate, but without a vote
as provided by the bill introduced by Mr.. Pendle-
ton:
heard after the morning business tomorrow on the
subject of open executive sessions.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures as,an amendment for
the pending resolution relating to executive ses-
sions, a resolution providing "that all matters
other than those relating to treaties should be
considered and acted upon by the Senate in open
session." 1t was ordered printed.
On motion of Mr.. Blair the Senate took up the
bill reported by him from the committee on PEN
sions for the relief of soldiers OF the late war
honorably discharged after six months service
who are disabled and dependent upon their own
labor for support, and of dependent parents of
soldiers who died in the service or from dsabili-
ties contracted therein" Mr.. Blair said the bill
was substantially the ssame, bill that had been
passed by the Senate at the last session, but had
failed in the House, The bill had been prepared
with great care and the amount it would add to
as Mr.. Blair could form an estimate would not be
more than $25, 100000.
Mr. Van Wyck submitted an amendment pro-
viding that no soldiers pension under this act
should be less than SO month.
At O'Clock the matter went over and the inter-
state commerce bill was laid before the Senate.
Mr.: Cullom explained the provisions of the bill
and supported it in a speech of some length. He
was followed by Mr.. Palmer who said he would
vote Tor the Dill because 1t looked in the right d
rection.
At 412 p. m. the Senate went into executive ses-
sion sion, and at 52o the doors were reopened and the
HOUSE.
A resolution was adopted granting leave to the
committee on public lands at any time during the
present session. after the morning hour, to call up
for consideration bills reported from that COM
mittee for the forfeiture of land grants to rail-
roads and other corporations; to prevent specu-
lation in public lands and for the reservation of
public lands for the benefit of actual bona fide
settlers; the same not to interfere with prior
bills. 'ff- ". '''''0''
The House then resumed consideration of the
contested election case of Hurd and RomeiS,
which came over from yesterday.
After some debate the floor was accorded to
N Mr. Hurd the contestant, who then addressed the
House in his own behalf. He was listened to with
close attention and made long ana exhaustive
speech, in which he analysed the evidence in the
case Among other things Mr.. Hurd said: 81 did
not deem it improper to call attention to the cleo
ton at which was defeated. 1t was the October
election in Ohio in 1884. The Democrats of this
that canvass and all their forces were concen-
trated on its soil. The fate of the Republican
the Republican State ticket, Ohio was lost to the
Republican candidate for President. 1t is a mat
ter OF notoriety that whatever wealth or power or
organization could do was done. Members of the
different departments at Washington were in
Ohio; the campaign was managed under the eye
of the great leader of the Republican party and
the Republican candidate for President was in
ONO, III my district, in my city, the night before
election. The eyes of the whole nation were
turned to us and the battle everywhere else was
suspended. But 1t went on in Ohio, and hot; it
went on with such efforts, against such fearful
odds, ana with such pains, strength and vitality,
that none can know except the gallant Democrats
OF ONO VINO were engaged in the controversy. 1t
in which was stricken down. Ii / had been
fairly stricken down. should have waited for the
tender hand OF kindller day to lift me up. But
havlng been unfairly stricken down, as honestly
ana ask II, IN its lmpartial judgment, to give me
the seat TO which | am entitled, not through SYM
pathy, not through partisanshp, God Forbid
Dut III tne punishment of wrong and in vindca-
tlon OF the right" In conclusion he said it was
OF less Importance to know who was elected as
shown by the returns at the polls than it was to
know wnether the election had been fair and the
Will OF the people expressed. 1t made but little
dlfferenee who the legislator was, provided the
source OF MS power was pure and uncontam-
district ~
As Mr.. Hurd ended his speech he was greeted
Win loud and long continued applause ON the
floor and in the galleries.
A vote was first taken on the resolution of the
minority, which declares that Jacob Romeis is
not entitled to the seat. This was defeated-yeas,
105; nays, 16S.
The resolutions confirming Mr.. Romeis' right to
ms seat were agreed to without division.
The agricultural bill was then taken up and
passed with but little discussion.
Inc river and harbor appropriation bill was
Inen taken up long enough to make it unfinished
business, and at 500 o'clock the House ad-