The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1890-12-16
NATIONAL LAWMAKERS.
THE HOUSE TRYING TO ARRANGE FOR
A HOLIDAY RECESS.
The Apportionnlcnt Bill Called Up--sen-
ator Pasco Offers Some Amendments
20 the Elections Bill--Thc Dolph
Resolution.
SENATE.


There were only eight Senators present
this morning at the opening of the Senate.
The Morgan resolution calling for in
formation relative to the payment of
claims of john l. Davenport as supervisor
of elections and as Circuit Court COM
missioner was taken up.
In this connection Mr.. Hoar laid before
theSenate a communication received from
Davenport calling attention. TO charges
made against him in the Senate and oifer
ing himself as witness under oath to any
committee desiring to examine him.
Mr.. German trusted TINT the Senator
from Massachusetts would offer II rcsolu
ton to investigate the conduct of Daven-
port, as requested by that gentleman.
Mr.. HQar replied that he had not con
sidered the matter. lie merely presented
the letter for the information of the
Senate.
Mr.. German believed that when Mr..
Davenport desired an investigation it
should be accorded him.
Mr.. Carlisle said the Senator from Mary
land had mistaken the terms of the letter.
Mr.. Davenport did not request that his
conduct be investigated, but simply OK
pressed his Willingness to 20 himself be-
fore committee and make statement.
If Mr.. Davenport's conduct was to be in
yestigated in the regular way Mr.. Dayen-
that any other persons should be heard.
The communication was referred, and
Mr.. Morgans resolution was adopted.
The credentials of Mr.. Pugh as Senator
from Alabama were presented
A bill was passed authorizing the Bowl
ing Green and Northumberland Company
to bridge the Green and Barren rivers,
Kentucky.
The Senate then proceeded with the con-
sideration of the Dolph resolution, pro-
viding for an investigation as to whether
the right to vote is denied or abridged in
any State; with the Vest amendment ex-
tending the investigation to an inquiry as
to whether by State legislation any man
had been denied the right to work on pub
lie works by reason of his color.
Mr. Morgan spoke in opposition to the
resolution until the morning hour expired,
when the Elections bill was taken up, and
Mr.. Morgan continued his argument
against it.
Senator Pasco proposed this morning
an amendment to the Elections bill COM
prising two new sections. The first of
these provides that it shall be unlawful to
give or to promise to give any valuable
consideration to induce Il voter to vote or
to refrain from voting; or to offer or
promise him any appointment or Office;
to make any gift or payment to any
person for his influence in procuring the
siNttiOii Va uhy NeliNstitttANNp vi h'iNtotNf
to advance or pay or promise to pay any
thing valuable to be used for any of these
purposes, or to make contract for, or to re-
Ceive it for any employer in paying his
employees salaries or wages TO enclose the
money in an envelope upon which is writ
ten political motoes, devices or argu
ments; for any employers within
ninety days of an election tc
put up in his establishment any bill
threatening loss of work for not voting 4
particular ticket. The penalty for any of
these acts is fine of $500 or less, or i'm
prisonment not exceeding one year, oil
both. Any person offending is compe
tent witness against any other persons.
The second section provides that any
officer of political organization receiving
money from candidate is to make q re
turn Of this money and what was done
with it to the Clerk of the House of Rep
rcsentatives and any candidate is to til'
with the Clerk an itemized statement o
the cost of his election. The punishment
for violating this section is the same a.
that provided in the preceding section.