The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-02
THE HOUSE.
AmeL dments offered to ths Federal Election
Bill

AmeL dments offered to ths Federal Election
Bill.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-The House this
morning resumed its consideration of the
Federal Election Bill, the pending amend
ment being that offered by Lehlbach, pro-
viding that the Chief Supervisor of Eec-
tions for each judicial district of the United
States shall take such action as is requisite
to secure such supervision in every congress
Sional district, as Is provided by the laws Of
the United States.
Considerable discussion followed
Hit of Illinois satirically twitted the
Democrats for denorncing the bill and then
rushing pell-mell in support of a PROPOSE
tion which made the provisions of the
measure compulsory instead of voluntary.
Stone of Missouri made a con stitutional
argument against the bill. The men who,
thirty years ago, with rifles in hand sought
to destroy the autonomy OF the nation, were
no more guilty of high treason than were
men who assemble under the marble arches
and the bulgiug dome of this Capitol
seeking and plotting to destroy the auton-
omy Of the States.
Finally. on a rising vote, Lehlbach's
amendment was rejected. Tellers were de-
manded and the amendment was lost by
13S to 132.
Hemphill of South Carolina offered an
amendment eliminating from the bill the
provisions for United States Boards of
Canvassers and providing for returns
supervisors. The Chief Supervisor shall
tabulate and onward to the Speaker Of the
House, to be submitted TO the House, the
results as they appear therefrom in each
Congressional district under his jurisdic-
ton in which this act has been in force.
Mills of Texas pointed out the danger
which might arise from the application OF
Ig iu hn
cratic by % majority and was so shown by
the certificates of the various Governors.
Suppose the supervisors certified to % ma
l0rity the other way and the clerk of the
House acted upon these certificates, what
would be the result? The gentlemen ought
race; that the race had always been jealous
of It's rights and bold to assert them and
never counted the cost of doing so.
Caruth of Kentucky asked what had the
Republican party done for the negroes at
the close of the war? They were shelter
less and it gave them no shelter; they were
hungry, and it fed them not; they were
naked, and it clothed them not. When
they attempted to save money for a rainy
day, the Republican party with organized
freedmen stole their first fruits, their labor.
DOlliver OF Iowa believed the time had
come when the Republican party must dis
charge not only its promises but its duty to
the American people, and nc trusted tn e
Republican party would stand us one man
for the sanctity OF American citizenship.
Mason of Illinois said the Republican
party had given the negro feet to walk
with, and no board or plank to walk ON.
The South counted the negro when the
census was taken, and the South counted
him as a voter. The Republicans proposed
to do him justice now and let him vote.
Wilson of West Virginia said there never
had been and never could be any bill which
would strike more dangerous blow at the
very elements and foundation of free gov
ernment. The gentlemen dared not strike
at the freedom OF the press, but they did
attempt to strike down the freedom OF rep
resen tation in the House.
Butterworth presented the conference re-
port on the Legislative Appropriation Bill,
and the House voted to adhere to It's nom
concurrence in the Senate amendments re-
garding Senators. clerks, etc.
Loge offered an amendment to the Elec-
tion Bill, providing that as soon as the
certificates of the board were made public
any person who was candidate for cleo
tlon may, by motion before the United
States court having jurisdiction in the dis
trict, contest the correctness of the certlfi-
cate made by the board, and demand an
examination and compilation of the re-
turns. The returning officers having pro-
duced before the Circuit Court all
the returns, reports, tickets and all
evidence on which it acted in advance in
awarding the certificates, the Circuit Court
shall thereupon determine and certify to
the person shown to be entitled to a certifi-
cate. Also an amendment providing that il
there be an appeal from the decision Of the
United States Board of Canyassers to the
Circuit Court, the Clerk of the House shall
place on the rolls as Representative elect
the name of the person certified to by said
court as entitled to the seat.
These amendments were agreed to, and
HemphilPS amendment was lOst-ayeS 1877,
noes IA, Lehlbach of New Jersey and
Cheadle of Indiana Qfepublicans) voting
with the Democrats.
Buckalew of Pennsylvania moved to
strike out Section 3S, which changes the
law so as to place the selection of jurors in
the hands of the clerks of the court.
Adopted-ayes 140, noes 134, Frank, Har-
mar, Lehlbach and Lind voting with the
Democrats in the Affirmative.
Tucker of Virginia offered an amend
ment that when an application for Super
visor is made the Chief Supervisor shall
lay the application before the Gu euit Court.
The court shall fix day for the considera-
ton of the matters set forth in the applica-
tion, giving at least ten days notice. If, on
the hearing, the Court shall be of the op-
p0site opinion, that fair and free registra-
tion will not be held, and that there is a
necessity for special supervision the court
shall grant the application. In passing on
the application the Judge of the circuit
shall associate with him the Judge OF the
District Court, and unless both Judges con-
eur in granting the application it shall be
dismissed and no further proceedings taken.
Pending vote the House took a recess.
AT the evening session DOckery of Mis-
souri,, KilgOre Of Texas, Sweeney OF Iowa,
Hooker Of Missouri, Mudd of Maryland,
Kelly of Kansas and others spoke. The
House adjourned at 10 o'clock.