Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-15
WRTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
sen ATE.
WASHINGTON.

1ue chalr lalu Oelore the Senate Senator
Jackson's acceptance of the United States
Judgeship of the 9th circuit.
memorial of the wool growers conven-
ton held at st. Louis, complaining of the
proposition to place wool on the free list was
referred.
Mr.. Morgan said that he had been instruct
ed by the committee on foreign relations to
give notice that Thursday at two o'clock, or
as soon after as practicable, he would ask the
Senate to go into executive session tor the
consideration of an important matter.
Mr.. Dolph gave notice that FRIDAY he would
ask consent to address the Senate on the In
dian depredations.
Dir. Butler then addressed the Senate in
favor of open executive sessions.
Among other things, Mr.. Butler said that
when the democratic party had majority of
the Senate that majority never attempted to
interfere with the constitutional prerogative
OF the President of the United States or to
paralyze the conduct of governmental affairs
for party advantage as the republican major
ity OF the Senate was row doing If anv
party could have justification for pursuing a
course at all like that which the republican
majority of the Senate was now pursuing it
would have been the democratic party when
1t had majority in the Senate, for that
party and country had been recently cheated
and denuded of its rightful presidency. Mr..
Butler wanted the doors wide open when ac-
ton was being taken on presidential nomina-
tons IN order that the country might know of
the frivilous character of the grounds on
which action was refused on nominations
His (Butier's) experience in the Senate con-
vlnced him that there was no use or necessity
for secret sessions, except, perhaps, in con-
sldPrlnU treaties with tOreipn pOupfrias Tho
Senate of the United States was the only leg
islative body in tn world, except one that
had now any provision for secret sessions
Was it not remarkable, he asked, that this
government. boastlng of its responsibility to
the people, should be the only one that close
the doors of either of its legislative chambers
in debating any matter affecting the peoples
interests. The consideration of nominations
should be held with open doors. The surest,
safest and nearest road to civil service re-
form, Mr.. Butler said, was throw wide open
the doors for executive as we'll as legislative
sessions and then to permit by law the Presi-
dent and cabinet to come on the floor of Con-
gress from time to time and participate in
debate. but without vote, as provided by
the bill introduced by Mr.. Pendleton.
Mr.. Logan gave notice that he would ask
to be heard after the morning business to-
morrow on the subject Of open executive ses-
sions
Mr.. Riddleberger submitted as a substi-
tute for the pending resolution relating to
executive sessions a resolution providing
"that all matters, other than those relating to
treaties, should be considered and acted on
by the Senate in open session. Ordered
printed.
On motion of Mr.. Blair the Senate took
up the bill reported by him from the commit
tee on pensions, ''for the relief of soldiers
of the late war honorably discharged after
six months service who are disabled and de-
pendent upon their own labor for support and
of dependent parents of soldiers who died
in service or from disabilities contracted
therein"
Mr.. Blair said the bill was substantially the
same bill that passed the Senate at the last
session, but failed in the House. The hill
had been prepared with great care. The
amount it would add to the pension liabil-
cllities of the government, ss nearly as Mr..
Blair could form an estimate, would not be
more than S25. 900 900.
Mr.. Van Wyck submitted an amendment,
providing that no soldiers pension under this
act should be less than SS a month,
At 2 o'clock the matter over and the inter-
state commerce bill was laid before the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Cullom explained the provisions of the
bill. and supported it in speech of some
length.
He was followed by Mr.. Palmer. who said
he would vote for the bill because it looked
in the right direction.
At4 4.l2 p. M. the Senate went into execu.
tive session.
At 500 the doors were reopened and the
Senate adjourned.
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 committee for the forfeiture OF
| land grants to railroads and other corpora
tons to prevent speculation in public lands
and for the reservation of public lands fol
the benefit of actual bona fde settlers, the
same not to interfere with prior special or
ders or with revenue or appropriation bills.
| The House then resumed the consideration
of the Hurd-Romeis contested election case.
After some debate the floor was accorded
to Mr. Hurd, the contestant, who then ad-
dressed the House in his own behalf. He
was listened to with close attention and made
a long and exhaustive speech, in which he
analyzed the evidence in the case. Among
other things Mr.. Hurd said: Il didn't deem
it improper to call attention to the election al
which, was defeated. 1t was the October
election in Onion, 1884. The democrats oi
this State were engaged in the the first great
battle of that canvass. All the forces were
concentrated on its soil The fate of the
republican party was held in its hand II
Ohio went against the republican State ticket
Ohio was lost to the republican candidate for
President 1t is matter of public notoriety
that whatever wealth or power or organiza-
| ton 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 Presi-
was in Ohio, in my district, in my city the
| night before election. The eyes of the whole
nation was turned to US. The battle every
where else was suspended. but it went on in
Ohio, and how it went on with such efforts
against such fearful odds, with such pains,
strength and vitality none can know except
the gallant democrats of Ohio who were en-
gagged in the controversy. 1t was in this bat
tle-in the very fore front of it-in which !
was stricken down II l had been fairly
stricken down | should have waited for the
tender hand of kiadh,r day to lift me up,
and having been unfairly stricken down, as
honestly believe, could do less than come
to this House and ask it, in its impartial
judgment, to give me seat TO which I am
entitled, not through partisanship-God for
bid-but in the punishment of wrong and in
the vindication of right" In conclusion, he
said that it was of less importance to know
| who was elected as shown by the votes at the