The evening times., 1896-02-15
CONCERNS Mr.. BOWLER
Judiciary Committees ResoIu-
ton Passed the House.
SUBSTITUTE FOB THE FIRST
Inquiry Only Directed as to the Con-
ditiOn of the Law as to the Author
ity of Executive Officers-Many
Bills Quickly Disposed of without
Argument or Opposition

Mr.. Hull. chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs, filed I'm the House toda
the views OF the minority of the committee
upon the bill To place Gen. Alex Webb on
the retired list Of the army.
Scnateamcndnients to the folio wing House
bills were agreed to:
incorporating the Daughters of the Rev
| olution.
Granting n years absence TO settlers on
the YanktOn, Sioux and Sissettou and Wah-
pcton reservations. In South Dakota.
Authorizing the lease OF university and
school lands OF Arizona.
The following was passed, on motion
OF Mr.. Ray:
Tie Judiciary Committees substitute for
Mr.. Boatners resolution regarding the re-
fusai OF Comptroller Bowler TO certify the
sugar bounty claims for payment.
1t reads:
"Resoivcd, That the Committee on the
Judiciary be, and hereby Is, authorized
and directed to inquire as TO the condition
OF the law on the subject OF the right
OF the executive Officers or the govern.
ment. in the several departments thereof,
to refuse to enforce, execute or comply
with the provisions OF any act OF the
Congress OF the United States on the groun d
OF its alleged unconstitutionality or for
other reasons, and to report TO the House
by bill or Otherwise
ONE OF IMPORTANCE.
Mr.. Ray explained that the question was
one of great importance. If the power
existed, certain executive OFFICERS might
set at defiance the laws OF Congress ap-
proved by tie chief executive OFFICER or
the nation. On the other hand, II might
he urged that the power should rest with
Officers to stay, pending judicial deter
p,inattGp in tlp ,nurts. the execution Or
law OF Congress prima facic valid and
constitutional
Recent discussions by those learned In
the law had disclosed a wide difference
OF opinion as TO what the law is, ana as 10
what IL ought to be. Without expressing
any opinion as to what the law is or ought
to be. the committee was or the opinion
that the condition OF the law on this sub
ject ought to be locked into, AID that
such inyesti legation might suggest proper
legislation on the subject.
The committee did not deem 1t wise or
proper that the investigation should be
directed TO any particular office, act, or
department.
Mr.. Terry said he was not in sympathy
with the ulterior object sought TO Ice Sc
cured by the resolution. believing that an
executive officer enforced an unconstliu'
tionai law al his peril.
However If the House thought the com
mittee should enter upon the inquiry into
the law on the subject he should not Oh
iect-
The following were also passed:
On motion of Mr.. Little House bill grant
ing right OF way to the Fort Smith and
west.-n II Coal Railway Company through
the Indian Territory
THE BILLS PASSED.
On motion OF Mr.. Poole. House bill max
ing Syracuse, n. Y, a port OF delivery.
On motion OF Mr.. Draper. House bill di-
rccting the Secretary OF War to revoke
the acceptance OF the resignation or Lieut..
John c. Cutter for the good OF the
service in January. 1864. and to issue
him an honorary discharge as OF the same
date.
Mr.. Aldrich reported from the Committee
on Accounts a resolution authorizing the
employment OF fifteen folders in the House
document room. which was agreed to.
Mr.. Mccall. from the same committee, re-
ported the resolution authorizing the Com
mittee on Ways and Means to invests gate
the workings or the reciprocity treaties.