The New York Herald Newspaper, February 26, 1879, Page 3

“WASHINGTON. The Fight Against the Federal Election Laws. THEIR REPEAL VOTED IN THE HOUSE. Passage of the Contagious Disease Bill by the Senate, THE POTTER INVESTIGATION. Summary of the Chairman’s Forthcoming Report. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasutnctoy, Feb, 25, 1879, THE ELECTORAL INVESTIGATION—CHAIRMAN POT- TER'S FORTHCOMING REPORT. Mr. Potter has his report nearly ready and will, it is believed, present it to the House on Friday or Sat- urday. He has beon engaged for a considerable time in making a thorough digest of the testimony and it is understood that his report will take the ground that the evidence taken shows beyond possibility of contradiction that Florida and Louisiana were rightfully carried by the democrats, and that the electoral votes of these two States were cast for the republican ticket wrongfally, illegally and fraudu- lently; that the course of the Louisiana Return- ing Board and the manner in which it con- ducted thé scrutiny of the returns, was in most important matters in violation of the law of the State under whicb it existed and acted; that its fraudulent ani illegal acts were open, palpa- ble and undeniable; that the manner in which pro- tests were manufactured and returns altered and manipulated was all in defiance of the laws, and that every stage of the proceeding in Louisiana bears the mark of fraud, forgery and illegality. Further, that these offences were in some cases furthered and in others silently approved by the re- publican visiting statesmen, and that the testimony establishes that in both the States of Florida and Louisiana, if tho Returning Board had strictly ob- served the laws which were intended to rule their conduct, the electoral votes of those States must have been cast for the democratic candidates, and that it was only by the clearest and grossest violations of specific laws, and the most unblushing frauds and forgeries, that the purpose of tho people and the result of the election was defeated. Fur- ither, that the testimony proves _con- clusively the low and debased character of the men who were the chosen agents of the republicans in Louisiana, as supervisors and election officers, to manipulate the election; that almost every one of these who had been called beforo the committee stands self-convicted of perjury and various villany, and that while the selection of such men by the republicans to conduct the election shows pre- meditated fraud, and the course of the Returning Board shows continued violation of the plainest provisions of law, as well as fraud and corruption. ‘The fact that all who have on this investigation been shown to have been concerned in this corrupt and lawless stealing of the vote of the State have been rewarded with federal offices of varying importance by the administration, can be regarded only as a con- fession of secret and undue influence exercised by these worthless persons over members of the administration in securing pay out of the public treasury for their illegal and corrupt work; that this is especially a fair inference when it 4s remembered that the administration has constantly _ made professions of devotion to a reform of the civil service, and has repeatedly asserted that only persons of established character and fitness ought to be ap- pointed to public office, but has conspicuously and unfailingly violated all its promises and pledges on this subject in its. appointments in Louisiana; that the New Orleans Custom House and the other federal offices in. Louisiana have been made by the administration places of refuge for the petty as well as tho prominent agents in the election and Returning Board frauds, and that ® list of names of prominent and obscure office holders will show that in no instance, so far as is known, has the claim of a person who was concerned in this move been unrecognized by the beneficiaries of it in the administration. THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS—SUDDEN END OF THE STRUGGLE IN THE HOUSE. ‘The expected struggle in the House over the amend- ment to the legislative bill repealing the federal election laws came to a somewhat sudden close this afternoon. Mr. Halo had given notice of vigorous and prolonged opposition. When the ayes and nays were called the republicans declined to vote, supposing that thus there would be no quorum, but Messrs. Chittenden, Killinger and Fort voted no, and beforo the result of the roll call was announced it was discovered that it lacked but ono of a quorum, wheroupon Speaker Randall quictly cast his vote and the amendment was passed, Thereupon the bill was passed, the republicans voting. To filibuster over it would have been in any case .# mero waste of time and strength of the House. It is perfectly well understood that the majority of democratic Senators are opposed to the amendment, and it will be voted down when the bill gets to the Senate. Tho bill will then go to a conference committee, and when it re- turns to the House there are enough democrats thero ready to support the report, which will leave this amendment out. It is understood that the test oaths will be repealed, the change in the manner of draw- ing jurors will be adopted, and the election laws will be left unrepealed, STATIONING OF TROOPS AT THE POLLS—DEMO- CRATS DETERMINED ON REPEALING THE LAW PERMITTING {7, Thore is still ® little nervousness about the clause in the Army bill repealing the few words in the statutes which permit troops to be kept at or near the polls. The Senate has struck out the repeuling clause, but it is hoped and expected that in confer- ence committee it will be again inserted and that the Senate will notin that case insist, but allow it to pass. If it should refuse, there is a general determi- nation on the democratic sido of the House to re- fuse to pass the Army bill, and eo far as is known on this subject the democrats will be united and firm, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON THE ANTI-CHINESE BILL, A telogram received here from San Francisco this morning states that at tho Chamber of Commerce meeting which urged the President to sign the Anti- Chinese bill there wero present less than forty mem- bers of a total momberehip o! and the resolution asking the President to sign the bill had oven then a majority of only 7 votes, ee FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. ‘ASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 1879, ENROLMENT OF BILIS—PROVISION AGAINST ANY MORE OMISSIONS. The Clerk of the House, in order to avoid the pos- sibility of the conduct of his office being called into question this session, has instructed the enrolling clerks to confine theit labors strictly to the work of enrolling bills, and under no circumstances are they to assist in com- paring the bills when enrolled, This duty wilt fall upon the members of the Committee on Enrolled Bille, and if any omissions occur ih the acts passed at the closo of this session the responsibility will rest upon the members of the committee thomselves. Herotofore it has been the custom for the enrolling clerks to assist the members in the discharge of this duty, but ander the present order it will cease, NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT BOUNDARY LINE. Attorney Gonoral Schoonmaker, of Now York, yos- terday enterod his appearance in the Saprome Court aa counsel for the State of Now York in tho caso of NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1879--TRIPLE SHEET. Connecticut ve, New York, relating to the petition of the State of Connecticut to have the western boundary line of the State defined according to the claim of the petition already filed by Connecticut. rai GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, Wasuincton, Feb, 25, 1879, ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE BY THE GREENBACK REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FORTY-SIXTH CON- GRESS, The following address was issued by the greenback menibers-vlect at their mecting in this city to-da: To THE Prorig or THE Unsirep Srates:—The national back representatives elected to the Forty-sixth Congness, feeling the rave responsibility imposed upon them; have met in consultation, and deem it proper to advise you of the results. The need of a more perfect organization engaged tention. As against labor and capital productive and commercial enterprises the money loaning interest is elaborately and thor- oughly organized. This gigantic power embraces the national administration and legislature, the machinery and leadership of the republican and democratic parties, and more than two thousand national banks, forming a banking system, yet in the infancy of its power, whose operation has transterred the control of issuing and regulating the volume of the paper money trom the govern- ment, where the constitution vests it, to these cor- Porations whose directors are not responsible to he people. Back of this organization, inspiring and cue, it, is arrayed the colossal money powerof Europe. It hascontrolled legislatures and exeentive officers, largely subsidized the press and endangered the purity of the judiciary, By means of usury and the appreciation of the value of money by contrac- tion it has absorbed the accumulated wealth ot the nation and gained a mortgage upon the productive power of the future. ‘The indebtedness of the people—private, corporate, municipal, State and national—is more than the entire property of the country would bring im money. This indebtedness expresses the immense capital gained by the money brokers. Through the terrible pressure of its annual interest productive and commercial apy have been paralyzed, and the masses of our people have been plunged into a con- dition of increasing poverty, want and misery which is embittering them to a degree perilous to the peace of society and the stability of our government. ‘The agents of the money power have sought to blind the people to its spoliations by charging their distress to their extravagance, by a false clamor for “honest mongy’’ and by the promise of speedy reliet through the resumption of specie payments. What they cull resumption has come, but the distress in- tensifies aud the prospect under their policy dark- ens. We have reached. a dread crisis. It is the mission of our party to meet this crisis and avert the measureless ruin it threatens. To do this we must overthrow the powerful and intrenched bank! system and restore to the government, where the fundamental law places it, the sole power to issue money, regulate its value and determine its volume. We must stop the increase of interest bear- ing indebtedness, and speedily as possible in aecord with the letter of the original contract, ¢ucel that which has accrued. We must secure a volte of full legal tender money equal to the de ands of prosperous productive enterprise. i Ours is a masntic task. Only by the unit efforta of those who suffer can we accomplish it. We a fully convinced that separation from the ole part‘é+ whose leaders, machinery and press are mor |: allied with the money power, is demanded, srtpelie by this conviction we have resolved to act together in organizing the next House of Congress that we may the better secure such legislation as will accomplish the desired result. We are assured that enough members entertaining our views have been elected to hold the balauce of power. We propose to wield that power for the sole purpose of embodying our principles in law. ‘We call upon you to unite in precinct, town, city, county, Congressional and State organizations tor the same end. We also invite all greenback and labor clubs, by whomsoever organized or chartered, to place themselves in communication with their respective county and State organizations, and through them with the headquarters of the National Executive Committee, Washington, D.C. We earnestly caution the suffering agaiust all who soek to inspire to disloyal acts, or even threats. ‘Treason would be madness, because the ballot is in our hands. The administration is what the votes of the people have made it, and within two bs they can change it by the same peaceful process. We seek relief only through the ballot. The future is full of ‘hope. Our party has gained more than a million of voters within the last year; and we are assured from all parts of the nation that the momentum which gave us that unparalleled ad- i, is so increasing to make success in 1880 certain. Therefore let not the suffering yield to despair, nor the justly indignant resort to violence. GILBERT DE LA MATYR, Chairman Committee on Address. BRILLIANT RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE. The most brilliant reception of the season took place at the Executive Mansion this evening. In- vitations hed been sent by the President and Mrs. Hayes to the Cabinet, Supreme Court, the members of both houses of Congress, army and navy officers and the heads of the executive departments, who, with the ladies of their families, were invited to meet the members of the diplomatic corps. Upon the arrival of the guests they were shown to the second floor of the mansion, where arrangements had been made for depositing their wrappings— the rooms of the castern or official end of the building being set apart for the gentlemen and the residence portion of the building for the ladies, whence they pro- ceeded by tho private stairway to the lower par- lors and East Room, in the centre of which the Presi- dent and Mrs. Hayes received the guests, surrounded by the diplomatic corps. The Exst Room is tastefully decorated with flowers and tropical plants, aud the walls graccfully draped with the flags of all nations. Refreshments were served in the State dining room, tho private dining room, and many little cosey nooks in the hall of the second floor were occupied by lunch tables. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. SENATE. WasuinaTon, Feb. 25, 1879. The session of the Senate of yesterday was con- tinued up to the hour of twenty-five minutes to five this morning. The bill under consideration was the one to prevent the introduction of contagious dis- eases. Before midnight it was observed that a quorum was not present, and after a prolonged de- bate on parliamentary points touching the power of the Senate to compel the attendance of its members, the Sergeant-at-Arms was directed to request the attendance of Senators. A long iime of weary wait- ing followed, and at a quarter to three o'clock A. M. arollcall on a motion for adjournment disclosed the presence of less than a quorum, there being only 7 yeas and 28 nays, Shortly afterward the Sergeant- at-Arms presented the following report :— To THM PREADENT OF THR SENATH:— * Sim—In obedience to the second order of the Senate in regard to the ance of abeent mem- bers, messengers communicating the command of the Senate have waited upon Senators Davis, of West aa oars abe h pBiaitio, McDo Y jo) A . Senators Davee oem bawee cad inthotiy have soporte in person; Senator Blaine promised’ immediate attend- ance; Senator =e would give no assurance of attendance; Senators McDonald and Patterson were found at their lodgings sick, and Sonators Bryard, Batler, Hamlin, Barnum and Chandler did not open their doors. Other messengers have not reporte JOHN R FRENCH, Sergeant at Arms, Mr. Epmenps (sotto voce)—That's what you call compelling the absentees, is it? Mr. Hanns, (dem.) of Tenn., inquired if the Senate had not power under the constitution and its own rule to compel the attendance of its members. The Prestorxa Orricen—That is for the Senate to decide, The Sergeant-at-Arms has made his report. Mr. Hannts—But has ho exectited his order? Mr. Cocxnenrs,, (dem.) of Mo.—Ho is tn process of executing it now. “Mr. Hannis—Very well. make no complaint. Prestorxe Orrtcam—The Sergeant-at-Arms dé- sires to know if it is his duty to force an entrance if ‘upon applying at the residence of a Senator he is re- = pooneage it, ANTHONY, (rep.) of R. I. (sarcastically)—I sug- gest that this is one of the few instances inwhich the use of the ela has not been prohibited. Mr. Antnoxy then inquired whether the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Harris) would have tho Sergeant- at-Arme intrude into the chambers of Senators and take them by force. Mr. Hanns Dean that no Senator had fhe right to absent himself from the transaction of public business. it he did so without leave the Senate had power under the constitution aud the rules to com- pel his attendance; and if this tired an invasion of his residence the power should be exercised, Mr. Moneas, (dem.) of Ala, said he desired to pre- sent to the attention of thesenate the caso of Se ator Conkling, who would give no assurance of at- tendance, and to inquire how long the Senate of the United States should have to wait for the attendance of that Senator. He moved that the Sergeant-at- Arms be instructéd to bring Mr. Conkling into tho Senate, He made the motion special, because he had not heard of any other Senator who had defied the ower of the Senate and refused to comply with its demand. He wished to know if one man should dominate the Senate or should the Sena’ ercise its authorify. Mr. Eatox, (em.) of Conn., thought it was not [my to single ont a Senator in this way. It wouid 4 better to make a general order to entorce the at- tendance of all Senators able to be here. Mr. Hannis agreed with him, and moved to amend Mr. Morgan's resolution accordingly. ! , Kenxan, (dem,) of N. Y., expressed his belief Bone of tho Senators who had not yet arrived If he needs more timo! a sd | of Pennsylvania, intended to defy the constitution or this body. Gen- tlemen waked up at three o’clock in the morning, after omg. leavi the Senate chamber paired, were not ely to discuss matters very precisely with the Sergeant-at-Arnis’ messengers. Mr. Tuurmay, (dem.) of Ohio, called attention to the language of the constitution that the rules shall be enforced in such manner and under such pen- alties as either house shall provide, and after point- ing out that the Senate has provided no ity for cases like the present, he expressed grave doubts as to the existence of any authority for the Sergeant-at-Arms to break through a door, as had been suggested. Besides, such a thing as break- ing down adoor and dragging a Senator here would be inexpressibly disgraceful, and he shrunk with hor- ror from the idea. Although he then believed there was Lenore 4 no power to enforce the rule in ques- tion, and although he did not believe the Senate would — any time for the proper transaction of ublic business by continuing the present proceed- ings, he nevertheless felt that us the effort to obtain @ quorum had been pushed thus far it should be completed. Mr. Voornegs, (dem.) of Ind., ironically deprecated any further efforts to bring Senators here to attend to their duties and remarked that he had never known @ more contemptible farce at four o'clock in the morning. Mr. ‘Harris’ amendment was adopted—yeas 32, nays 10, and the motion of Mr. Morgan, as thus amended ‘and made of general application, was then agreed to. Mr. Kennan, of New York, moved to di se with further proceedings under the order, Rejected— yeas 15, nays 24. A QUORUM AND THE BILL PASSED, Pending the execution of the order (the presence of aquorum being disclosed by the last two votes), the Senate proceeded with the consideration of the bill to prevent the introduction of contagious and infectious diseases into the United States, and to establish a bureau of public health. Mr. Kernan's amendment, offered last evening, ‘was rejected—yeas 17, nays 24, and the bill, without further discussion, was read a third time and passed. ‘The Senate then took up the Deficiency Appropria- tion bill, and at twenty-five minutes to five A. M. ad- journed to meet again at one o'clock this afternoon. REASSEMBLED. The Senate met at one o'clock. Mr, SAuGENz, (rep.) of Cal., moved to dispense with the reading of the journal of yesterday’s proceedings, as it was very long. Mr. Epmunps, of Vermont, objected, and said there were so many Senators absent yesterday that it would be well for them to know what was going on during their absence. Messrs. Bayard of Delaware, Kernan of New York and Ferry of Michigan were appointed the conference committee on the part of the Senate on the bill to amend the internal revenue laws. ‘THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATORSHIP, Mr. CAMERON, (rep.) of Wis., moved to take up the resolution reported from the Committee on Privi- leges and E.cctions declaring David T. Corbin duly elected United States Senator from South Carolina for six years, from March 4, 1877, and as such en- titled to have the oath of office administered and take fia seat in place of M. C. Butler, the present incum- ent. Mr. Bayarp, (dem.) of Del., said this was not legis- lative business, it was business lyst g exclu- sively to one branch of Congress, and could be settled. by the Senate at any time. Tho question now was whether the Senate would lay aside legislative busi- ness for the purpose of entering into a long discus- sion of a matter which could be settled hereafter. The motion of Mr. Cameron was rejected—yeas 25, nays 36—as follow: Mison, Anthony, Blaine, Booth, Cameron dicr, Conkling, Dawes, Dorsey, Ed- Ingalls, Kirkwood, dglesby, Maddock, Plumb, MeMilan, Mitchell. Rollins, Wadleigh an Navs—Mossrs. Baill Barvum, 1, Coke. ¢ Dennis, Exton, Garland, jereford, Hill,’ Jones of Florida, nois, Davis of West Gordon, Grover, Harris, roan, Lam Met Donuld, MePherson, Matthews, Maxey, Merri jorgan, Patterson, Ransom, Santsbury, Shields, Voorhecs, Wullaco, Whyte'and With? ers—36, Messrs. Randolph and Chaffee, who would have voted in the negative, were paired with Messrs. Spencer and Teller, who would have voted in the affirmative. THE DEFICIENCY BILL. The Senate then proceeded with the consideration of the Deficiency Appropriation bill. ‘Amendments proposed by the Committee on Ap- propriations were agreed to as follows :— Allowing $7,000 of the contingent fund of the Southern Claims Commission to be used for payment of sularics of investigating agents and their expenses. Appropriating $58,258 to pay the Denver Pacific, Railway and Telegraph Company for carrying the 000 for the salary of Chargé d’Affaires to 7,000 tor the widow of Bayard Taylor, late Germany; $2,000 for the widow of Justin E. Colburn, late Consul General to Mexico; $2,693 to pay John C. Myers his salary as Consul General to Shanghai; $4,220 for legislative expenses in Arizona; $5,080 for legislative expenses for Dakota,’ and the same amount for similar expenses in Idaho and Montana; $25,000 for detecting and bring- ing to trial and punishment persons guilty of violat- ing the Internal Revenue laws: $3,500 to settle the accounts of Henry C. Do Alma, late Collector of Cus- toms at Sitka; $40,000 for the survey of the Atlantic and Gult coasts; $35,000 for the survey of tho Pacific coast; $15,000 for mY ot various employés in the Patent Office; $25,0 for photolithographing and drawings for that office: $12,000 for the Hot Springs Commission; $15,375 to pay John W. Bigelow tor provisions furnished the navy; $12,353 to .pay W. Cramp & Sons for iron furnished the Bureau ot Construction and Repairs; $7,830 to pay A. H. Lind- say for timber turnished that bureau; $4,000 for the preservation of specimens of United States surveying and exploring expeditions in the Smithsonian Insti- tution; $27,600 tor various expenses of the Senate and its committees; $10,000 fcr the contimgent fund of the Senate, to be applied toward defraying the ex- penses of such investigations and inquiries as havo already been or may hereafter be directed by the Sen- ate during the Forty-fifth Congress. The committec reported an amendment authoriz- ing the accounting officers of the Treasury to acccpt the vouchers of cl.airmen of committees for money expended by such committees in the discharge of any duty imposed by the Senate. Mr. Epmunps, of Vermont, raised the point of order that it was new legislation, but the Senate decided it was in order, and the amendment was agreed to. The committee also reported an amendment ‘That Senators elected, whose term of office begins March 4, 1879, and whose credentials in due form of law havo been presented in the Senate, or may be deposited with the Secretary of the Senate, may reccive their. compensation monthly from the beginning of their term until the beginning of the first session of tho next Congress,” Mr. Epvnps also raised the point of order that this was new legislation, but the Senate decided that the amendment was in order, and it was agreed to. An amendment of the committeo, increasing the amount appropriated by the House for transporta- tion of mails by railroads from $166,392 to $284,799, was agreed to. ‘The committee reported an amendment to tho clause of the House bill in relation to adjustment of accounts between the United States and the Pacific railroads, so as to provide that it should not prevent the payment of moneys found duo said companies under decisions of the courts, and that nothing in the paragraph should be construed to be @ disposi- tion of any moneys due or to become due to or from said cothpanies, or to in any way affect their rights under existing laws, it being only intended to enable the proper accounting officers of the Treasury to state on the books of the department the accounts be- tween the government and said companies. Mr. Epmunns, of Vermont, submitted an ment to that of the committee above stated, it shail not affect the rights or duties of the com- baege or the rights of the United States under exist- ing law.”” Agreed to. the amendment was agreed to as amended. An amendment increasing the appropriation for eee postal clerks: from $17,000 to -625,000 waa ed to. ¢ Continittée Oh) Appropriations ‘asked that the amendment appropriating $4,333 33 to pay the Pacific Mail Steamship Com mails in 1877 between San ‘Ching be not concurred in, and it was go onlered, Other amendments of the committee Bo hevthent to as follows :— Allowing the wnexpended balance of $40,000 of the appropriation of June 14, 1878, to refund internal revenue taxes erroncously assessed, to be made available tor the payment of all claims to which tho appropriation is applicable, and — appropriatin, rg N12 for incidental expenses of the quittormaster's Department. The Committee reported an ‘amendment striking out the House clause making it unlawful for the same person to hold the offices of cletk of the Dis- trict and Circuit Court of the United States, and that no such clerk or deputy shall be appointed a receiver or master in chancery. The amendment was agreed to and the clause struck out, The amendment appropriating $250,000 forexpenses: of courts Aad defraying the expenses incurred under the Enforcement act was laid over until to-morrow, at the request of Mr. Wurre, of Maryland, and others, when it will be discussed, Mr: Joxrs, (rep.) of Nev., from the Committee on Finance, reported back the resolution recently intro- duced by Mr. Sargent, of Calitornia, calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury for information relating to fermented and alchohohe liquors passing throngh custom houses, and another resolu- tion ot the same Senator calling upon the Secretary of State for information received from consular officers in regard to foreign fermented and alcoholic Liquors exported from au untries, together with written reports on the subject, and recommending the adoption of the resolutions. Ordered that the report be printed and placed on the calendar, THE LATE REPRESENTATIVE WELCH. Mr. Pappock, (rep.) of Neb., at five o'clock called up the House resolution announcing the death of: Frank Welch, late a representative from the State of Nebraska. Suitable remarks apon the life and characterot the deceased were made by Mr. Paddock and Mr. Saunders, of Nebrask: Resolutions of respect to bia _momory were sgn od to, and the Senate, at twonty minutes to six P. M., as a further mark of re- spect to the memory of the deceased, adjourned until eleven o'clock to-morrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Wasutxatos, Feb. 25, 1879, The House met at ten o'clock in continuance of Monday's session, and the time between that hour and eleven o'clock, when Monday's session ended and Tuesday's began, was consumed in the disposal of private bills reported from the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Monnor, (rep.) of Ohio, moved to suspend the Fules and pase the bill providing for the payment of arrears of pensions. It provides that the act ‘to authorize the issue of certificates of deposit in aid of refunding the public debt’’ be so amended as to au" thorize the Seerctary of the Treasury to apply such portion of the proceeds of the sale of certificates of deposit provided for in said act as may be necessary, not exceeding $20,000,000, for the payment of claims for arrears of pensions. Mr. Arkrss, (dem,) of Tenn., called attention to the fact that the House had already passed a Dill appropriating $26,000,000 for the payment of arrears of pensions. 'r. Monnox replied that his bill was to provide the ways and means. Mr, Ewrne, (dem.) of Ohio, desired to have read his bill for the’ payment of arrears of pensions by the reissue of United States Treasury notes, but this was objected to, The motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill was defeated—yens 116, nays 125, Mr. Harnis, (de: chairman of the Com- mittee on Elections, reported resolutions in regard to the contested election case from the Third Con- ressional district of Missouri, declaring that RK. G. 'rost, the contestant, is not, and that IL Metcalfe, the sitting member, is, entitled to the e Laid on the table. ‘The House then, at five minutes to twelve, went into Committee of the Whole (Mr. Blackburn, of Kentucky, in the chair) on the Legislative Appropria- tion bili—the question being on Mr. Southard’s amendment repealing the law creating the office of election supervisors, ke. Mr. Hayes, ot Illinois, characterized the attempted amendment as a note of alarm and a signal of dis- tress from the democratic party. That party was in trouble and this House was called upon to help it out. If these laws were enforced the democratic party knew that the penitentiaries would be filled with democratic voters. SPREECH OF MR. HEWITT. Mr. Hewrrr, (dem.) of N. ¥., said that the'opposition expressed by gentlemen on the other side showed how impossible it was for them to understand the iotives which govern the democratic party in their desire and fixed determination to erase from the statute books every provision which infringes upon the personal liberty of ‘the citizen. All such pro- visions had been placed upon the statute books dur- ing or since the close of the war. Once only had an attempt Veen made to'violate the principles upon which Mason and Jefferson and Madison and Hamil- ton had planted free government, and that obnoxi- ous law had been swept from the statute books. So democrats planted themselves on the old stronghold that there was no safety in centralizing power; that the only security for liberty was in the people themselves. If abuses occurred they could be iuuch more readily and effectually remedied by the people than by a centralized power. When the gen- tleman from Maine (Mr. Frye) a few days ago alluded to corrupt judges in New York he seems to have over- looked the fact that Judges McCunn and Barnard had been driven from the Bench, not by the federal ower, but by the indignant voice ot the people of New York. ‘The gentleman from Maine had also said that these laws must be repcaled in order to en- able the democrats to carry New York in the next election. Did not that gentleman know that the elec- tion of 1876 had been an honest election in the State of New York, and had not Governor Tilden received @ majority in that State of over 30,000? MIL. DAVENPORT'S INVENTION. The democrats had carried the State with con- stantly increasing majorities ever since those laws had been enacted, and would have continued to do so to the end of time but for the invention of Mr. Davenport by which free citizens were prevented from voting. Mr. Davenport, following an example which had been set him in New Orleans, had, on affi- davits of his own party, issued in one night warrants which resulted in the arrest of 4,000 free citizens of New York. Here Mr. Hewitt’s time expired and he asked leave to print the remainder of his remarks, but Mr. But- ler, of Massachusetts, objected, suying that Daven- bork ee @ friend of his and he did not want him abused. MR. HALE’S DEFIANT SPIRIT. Mr. Harr, (rep.) of Me., said that the House might as well understand exactly how this matter stood. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Southard) in pressing this amendment had thrown down to the republican side of the House the gage of battle. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Hewitt) had taken the position this morning that the democratic party stood here to-day, and would etand, in favor of sweeping from the statute books all that body of law which he said interfered with the operation of State gov ments and State laws in the matter of elections. There was a plain and a distinct challenge. As strong as the fealing was on that sido of the House equally strong was it on the republican side. These Jaws for the protection of the ballot would-not and should not be repealed in an appropriation bill. His side of the House would never consent to the project being pushed forward and carried through to repeal. Gentiemen might a8 well understand that now as hereafter. (A voice on the demccratic side—‘You said that before.’’) Mr. Hate went on to state the efforts which the re- publican side of the House had made during the last week to haye the Legislative Appropriation bill pro- ceeded with, and showed how those etforts had been antagonized by the democratic side. In conclusion he said:—We have done everything in our power to gh this bill, and at some stage of the proceedings etween now and the final adjournment of Congress the other side of the House must yield its position, for these Jaws:cannot be and shali not be Sepeaiod. (apr the republican side and derisive laugh- ‘on the democratic sido.) Finally the vote was taken, and the amendment was adopted—yoas 135, nays 110, On motion of Mr, CALDWELL, (dem.) of Ky., the item of $15,000 for three Assistant Attorneys General was amended by making it $18,000 for four Assistant Attorneys General, at 4,500 each, one of whom shall be for the Post Office Department. ACTION OF THE HOUSE. The committeo then (at ten minutes to two P. M.) rose, and the bill aud amendments were reported to the House. All the amendments were concurred in (in gross), except a few on which separate votes were demanded, The amendment increasing the pay of the principal examiners of the Patent Office from $2,000 to $2,500 was rejected. ‘he amendment increasing the item for contingent expenses of the Burean of Education from $11,400 to $19,100 was agreed to—yeas 140, nays 111. The next vote was on the amendment, the effect of which is to continue in force the present system of public land surveys and the offices of surveyors general. The amendment was agreed to—yeas 121, pays 62, © next vote was on the amendment fixing the pay of jurors at $2 per day, prescribing the method of drawing them and repealing the jurors’ test oath, and it was agreed to without a division. FAILURE OF REPUBLICAN TACTICS. ‘The noxt vote was on the amendment repealing the laws in regard to United States supervisors of elcc- tion: On a division there were 107 votes in the affirma- tive, but the republicans refused to vote and raisod the point of ‘no quorum.” The yote-was then taken by yeas and nays, and again the republicans declined voting, the only ex- ceptions being Messrs. Chittenden, of New York; Fort, of Mlinois, and Killinger, of Pennsylvania, who voted in the negative. ‘The vote stood, yeas 143, nays 3—one less than a quorum. The Sreaken thereupon voted “aye,” making a xm, and declared the amendmentagreed to, amid demonstrations of applause on the democratic 8 side. ‘Then Mr. Have, of Maine, resorting to dilatory tac- tics, moved that when the House adjourn it be until ‘Thursday. The motion was greeted with derisive Jaughter on the democratic side, and Mr. Hale was asked, jecringly, whether he did not want to have the Appropriation bill passed. Dy, motion having been voted down (only one vote being cast in the affirmative), Mr. Hair moved to lay tho bill on tho table, re- marking that he wished: to sce whother the demo- crats could (without any gegnblions wate) pass tho Dill, anvi that he hoped no républican would vote. ‘The only republicans who voted were Mr. Brog- den, of North Carolina, in the negative, and Messrs. Brentano, of Hlinvis; Patterson, of New York, and Dagectl. pe Minnesota (the latter having voted by a mista hich he tried afterward, without avail, to rectify), im the affirmative. ‘The vote was then announced as—yeas 3, nays 143, one less than a quorum. ‘The Speaker again male a quorum by voting in the negative and declared the motion to lay the bill on the table defeated. WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM. ‘The Sreaker then stated that his vote mado 147, a quorum of a full House, but he did not think that it needed 147 votes to make a quorum, as there were two vacancies. Mr, Hae, of Mainc—Is the Speaker determined to make ruling that less than « majority of a full House constitutes a quorum ? The Sreaxen reptted that he did not destro to make any ruling; there was no necessity for it. He, how- ever, had read a decision, adopted by Speaker Grow, to the eftect that a majority of Ts chosen con- stituted a quorum. Mr. Hare said tnat the point on which that dects- ion of Speaker Grow had ruled was not analogous to the present case, and he was glad the ay er had not made a precipitate decision. So it this matter did not end here, he (Mr. Hale) reserved all points as to a quorum, The Sveaxen said that he had had that decision read during @ moment of calmness, so that if this mem| matter came up again it could not be said that the decision been made precipitately, oe is amended was then passed—ycas 143, nays 117. On motion of Mr. Hrwrrr, of New York, a commit- tee of conference was ordered on the Army Appropri- ation bff, and the House at five o'clock adjerned until to-morrow. THE POWHATAN AT HAVANA. Havana, Feb. 25, 1879. The United States man-of-war steamer Powhatan has arrived here from Port au Prince, All on board are well. CHANGES IN THE DUTIES OF OFFICERS. Wasntnaton, Feb. 25, 1879, Assistant Surgeon C. W. Deane has been ordered to the Nayal Hospital at Chelsea. Assistant Surgeon a Steclo has been ordered to the Naval Hos- ital at Philadelphia. Assistant Surgeon E. Marstelles has been ordered to the Naval Academy, and Assistant Paymaster Collender J. Lewis to tem- porary duty at etsmmonth, N.H. | Past Assistant Surgeon J. A. Haw! as detached from the Naval Hospital at Philadelphia and placed on waiting THE STATE CAPITAL. Legislators Anxiously Discussing Future Political Issues, HOLAHAN’S EXCISE BILL. Loew and Gumbleton Still Under Investigation. INSURANCE LEGISLATION. Slight Filibustering in the Senate Over Apportionment. — (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Arnany, N, Y., Feb, 25, 1879. ‘The advent of the legislator here after recess has initiated the usual political discussion on State and national issues. The Hrnaty interviews from Washington and Albany occupy @ good deal of attention. In conversation with Mr. George B. Sloan on the prominent subjects treated upon in these articles, that gentleman expressed himself to me emphatically in opposition to the idea that he had ever been or would be a candidate for Governor next fall, Mr. Sloan seemed very positive in his assertions as to this position, and, al- thongh adverse to the publication of an interview on the subject, evidently felt the necessity of being placed clear on the record as to gubernatorial issues. Notwithstanding such direct sutipathy on the part of the gentleman from Oswego to have his name used in this connection I can see @ strong faction in the republican party in Albany anxious that he should be the State standard bearer in 1879, when so much depends upon the success of the whole ticket in New York as the pivotal Stato. GOVERNOL ROBINSON’S PECULIAR POSITION. The charges preferred against County Clerk Del- mar, of Brooklyn, have, too, given rise to consider- ablo speculation in a political sense. It is asserted by several gontlemen with ‘wnom I conversed to- night that the initiation of such charges has como through Tammany agencies. “Why so?” I asked, “Because the Kings county democratic machine is known to be with Tilden. The plan is to present further charges against other officials in that section of the State. If Governor Robinson ‘should then conclude to remove New York officials, in or- der to be consistent, he will have to chop off the heads of Tilden’s friends at the other side of the river. The scheme consequently seems to be to thus encumber the Governor so that he will be compelled to dismiss all complaints in order to save the partisans of those with whom he and Mr. Tilden are closely identified.” LOEW AND GUMBLETON NOT DISPOSED OF. It is not yet known when the cases of Register Loew and County Clerk Gumbleton will be disposed of by the Governor. To-night a rumor was started that he had decided to remove Mr. Gumbleton. This story was contradicted by the Governor, who stated that he had not yet had time to take up all the papers submitted in connection with those subjects. This gossip is furnished for what it may be worth, RAPID TRANSIT AND CHEAP FARES, Mr. David Dudley Field and other gentlemen con- nected with rapid transit in New York city appeared before the Senate Railroad Commitee this afternoon for the purpose of arguing against Senator Eccle- sine’s bill reducing the fare on those roads to five cents at all hours of the day and night. Mr. Wagner was only member of the committee present and the argument was postponed for two weeks. PROPOSED METHOD OF TAXING CORPORATIONS, It is understood that the sub committee of the Committee on Ways and Means, consisting of Messra. Wadsworth, Fish and Grady, will to-morrow draft a bill in accordance with the Pennsylvania system, by which all corporations will be. taxed di the State, and not, as at present, by local authority. Sta- tistics have been received trom boards of supervisors, State assessors and other officisls, giving the amount of taxes paid by large corporations and the method of collection. "These figures prove that the new sys- tem suggested will operate very advantageously to the State, and also go far toward doing away with much of the abuses now alleged under presont methods in the collection of corporation taxes. THE CHINESE QUESTIO! ‘The legislators came together in Senate and Assem- bly this morning at ten o'clock and immediately plunged into business. The Chinese excitement lias reached us here, as Mr. Hamilton Fish, soon after the opening of proceedings in the Assembly, pre- sented a resolution in opposition to the measure just passed by Congress upon this sub- ject. Mr. John Galvin, member from the Fourth Assembly district (Seventh ward) of New York city, rose to debate the resolu- tion so that it was laid over under the rules. Mr. Galvin, who is understood to be a countryman of Kearney, the California agitator, was in possession at the time of a resolution directly in conflict with that introduced by Mr. Fish. He evidently docs not believe in the proposition to permit those “slimy imps," with their “leprous tendencies,” to overrun our free and enlightened Republic. At least this ix supposed to be the sentiments of the gentleman's constituency in the Seventh ward. AN IMPORTANT INSURANCE BILL. Mr. Hepburn’s bill providing for the incorpora- tion of life and health insurance companies was ordered to a third reading in the House. The main effects of the bill if it becomes a law are expiained as follows by the supporters of the measure:—As the statute stands to-day a life or casualty com- puny organized under the laws of this State may have an impaired capital to the extent of fifty, sixty, seventy or cighty per cent, or it may bo almost entirely lost, and yet no authority is given to the Insurance Department to call on the stockholders to make the capital good. The trustees and directors of such companies, who are holding the several offices by reason of ‘their being stockholders, continue in the management of the affairs of the company, although the interest or capital that gave them power has ceased to exist. If this proposed bill had been the law from the organization of the department there would have becn no grievous loss to policy holders and less failure of companies. Under the present law there is no standard fixed for the reserve rund of ® casualty insurance com: and such company may receive $200,000 premi 8 year and not re- serve a dollar to protect the policy holders for the risk. It is trae that the department arbitrarily requires tho companies to set aside a certain amount, but the point is here raised that {f such authority was questioned the depart- ment would have to recede. This act makes the re- serve tund of such companies tho total amo ot the unearned premiunis. Fot instance, ali risks are written for one year. If the | resend has run six months one halt the premium has been earned by the com- pany; if the policy has run three months one quarter has been earned and so on in propor tion. As the life act stands to-day if a company has suitictent assets to reinsure its risks it cannot be closed up; its capital may be gone and it may have $300,000 in death losses and unpaid endow- ments, but if it has sufficient assets to reinsure ite oatitanding rixks without regard to providing for the death losses and endowments the department cannot act. This bill compels erch company to be in possession of funds equal in amount to its reserve fund or reinsurance fund and all other liabilities un- paid. THE EXCISE QUESTION. It will be recollected that last year Mr. Manrice F, Houlahan succeeded in pushing through an excive Dill in the Assembly which relieved tho trade trom a despotic and muddled condition of the liqnor quea- tion in New York city. This bill was afterward strangled in the Senate, An energetic effort will now, be made to pass it in both houses. As it is of in- terest to every dealer in liquors in the metropolis, [ again give the text, as follow: Ax Act to amend chapter 175. of the laws of 1870, entt. tlod “An aet rogmlating the sale of intoxtenting liqnors,” pasgedl April 11, 1870, Tho poople of the State of New ‘ork, ropresentell in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows :— f the Laws of of intoxicating y amonded #0 as to ection 6 of chapter 17! An act regulating the wad April 11, 1870, is here fad — Suc G—Thonct entitled “An act to regulate the sale of intoxicating liqnors within U atropalitun police dir: trict of the Sta ow York,” passed April 14, 1NG6, 19 y n wvisions of the act passed April where the san are | haconsist with the — provisions thi Act, shall be taken and constraed as a part of thin act, aa be and remain in fall force and of moghont the whole Of this State; except that in cities, licenses may bo granted {not more than one year, to permit the ante the promises, othor aos where the Excise the parson oF persons Hieensed #hall bo of good moral character; and such Heanses before being isqued shall in every cnse ba approved of in writing by the Mavor of the city where the same is issued, aud no licensee shall be arrested for any violation of Ubi. net ly issued, All moneys received be deposited daily with tho Vicense ts by law. T acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act aro hereby repealed, Sve. 4—This act shall take effect immediately. The bill was referred to the Committes on Cities, of which Dr. Hayes is chairman. All the other bills on this subj ve been sent to the Committee on internal Affaire, THE SEVENTH REGIMENT ARMORY, Dty Hayes has succeeded in having his bill tides ity,,to, the Seventh regiment to issue for licenses in citi Chamberiain or Tres to be used now provi ving amounting to $150,000 for completion of 8 new armory ordered to a third reading. IN THE SENATE. In the Senate the Apportionment bill of Senator Harris was called up by him to-day in Committee of the Whole. This bill, it will be remembered, gives to New York ‘ouly twenty-three mem- bers. Mr. Turner (republican) moved to substitute that portion of the Skinuer apportionment as far as relates to Senate districts. This motion was voted, upon and lost by a tie vote of 13 to 13, all the demo- cratic Senators being present except Wagstaff ant Pierce, of Brooklyn. Senator Goodwin then moved to substitute the Assembly Appa - tionment bill known as the Hepburn _ bill, which passed the lower House last week, so far as relates to Assembly districts. That motion was voted down, 14 to 12, Senator Goebel, although a re- publican, voting with the democrats all through in favor of giving New York a full number of repre- sentatives, and Senator Thomas Murphy voting inst it. ‘Then Senator Jacobs moved to sub- stitute that portion of the Skinner bill that relates to the Senate districts of Kings count; in place of that contained in the Harris bill This was also voted down—l¢ to 12, Senator Eeclesine then moved to substitute that portion of the Skinner bill relating to the Senate districts so far as New York county was concerned. This, too,, was voted down by the same vote, and the Harris = ag reported favorably by the Committee of the ale, DELINQUENT SENATORS. A great deal of tecling was manifested by demo crats of both houses in discussing the matter to- night, and Senators Wagstaff and Pierce were de- nounced for not being on hand. Had they been in their seats, it is urged, the Hepburn bill would have passed the Committee of the Whole, and the Skinner bill, which is admitted to be fair, so far as New York and Kings are concerned, would also have passed the Committes of the Whole, with a fair chance of becoming a law. Senator Wagstatf has not yet put in an appearance this week. Last week he came up on Tuesday and went back to New York on Thursday, while the week before that he was present only one day. ‘ CONVICT LABOR. COLONEL TROWBRIDGE'S PROPOSED ‘SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM—ALASKA AS A PE®AL COLONY— STATES TO COLLECT THEIR CRIMINALS AND LET THE ARMY WATCH THEM—NEW PRISOV BILLS. ALpany;, Feb, 25, 1879. Colonel Charles T. Trowbridge, member of As- sembly from Kings, has prepared a resolution, which will be offered in the House to-morrow, and will, doubtless, excite wide attention, as it presents the , possibility of an entirely new solution of the vexed. problem of convict labor. Trades unions atid worke ingmen’s guilds of all kinds’ throughout the State are constantly sending to the Legislature protests against prison competition in their various trades, and bills are introduced from time to time beving in view the protection of one industry or another’ from such rivalry; but as these never suggest any’ other way of employing the prisoners of the State they lead to nothing. Sevaral bills have also been introduced this session Booking cither to the erection of a new prison or the extension of old ones, to accommotiate the surplus of seven hundred or more «onvicts who are now boarded out by the State. Colonel Trowbridge’s reso” lution, ina series of whervases, reviews the present aspect of the problem. It declares that our prison: system fails to reform the criminal, except in rare instances, and fails utterly in deterring old and habitual offenders from continuance in crime. The sale of convict labor by the State, although it may save some money to the public treasury, does, nevertheless, it is declared, involve this great wrong—that the State, having control of a certain amount of slave labor, puts this slave labor in com- petition with that of its tree and law abiding citizens, who are struggling by honest work to maintain them- selves and their families, and who at the same time are contributing by their labor their full share of the taxes to the public treasury. The present system, the ‘resolution asserts, involves also this inconsistency — that the State, while it cannot afford employment to the many honest men whoare seeking it, stands ready, nevertheless, to give work in respectable trades and occupations to any one who will first commit crime. The offering of convict labor in the market at low prices, it adds, necesserily tends to diminish the compensation for the work of honest men and so tends to ourage, demoralize and degrade those who labor for bread. In view ot this tendency to diminish the reward of labor, and therefore its ability to con- tribute to the taxes, Colonel Trowbridge’s preamble, . doubts whether, notwithstanding some apparent saving of public money, the bringing of convict: labor into the market is a measure of real economy. \ WHAT THE RESOLUTION DEMANDS. The resolution calls upon our ‘Senators and, Representatives in the Con, of the United States: to urge that the Territory of Alaska, or some other portion of the common territory, be set apart by the federal government for the purposes of a penal colony, to which the several States may banish con- victs, under proper conditions, each State pros viding for the maintenance of its own criminals.” In course of u conversation with Colonel Trow-; bridge this afternoon he remarked that the United States government contemplates the abandonment of ‘Alasks tor want of immigration thither or the tratfio to induce people to settle there. ‘‘Now we have that country on our hands,” he continued, “and we are out the $7,000,000 or more that we paid for it. Well, here is # splendid chance to utilize it, By making it a penal colony we shall atone stroke extend our useful territory, free the country from the convict labor questio’ which promises otherwise to be one of the most em- barrassing in our political history, and find useful, employment for the many army officers who have nothing todo in these piping times ot peace. The removal of convicts out of the States and to adistanco from the scene of their crimes and away from the haunts of vice, will break off all vicious associae tions. The splendid success of the English penal colonies in Australia should encourage us to follow the example of the old country in that respect. If » man were convicted for ten years or longer he might be allowed to take out with’ him his wife and chile dren if hehadany. A long residence would acclimate them, and when the term had expired they would have no desire to leave. Children born ‘there would’ grow up ‘to the manner born’ and there would soon, be a thriving colony. Prisoners who behaved would: have their terms of imprisonment commuted, and lands might be granted to manumitted convicts upon. condition that they should spend their lives there. Tho agricultural and mineral resources of Alaska would thus be developed, and we would soon get back some portion of the money we spent for it, and the honest laborers of the country would have @ free field to earn their bread. “Isn't itrather late in the session to introduce such @ measure?” asked the writer. “Rather,” replied Colonel Trowbridge, “but Con- gress will not adjourn fora week or teu days yet, and there may be an extra session. I have been studying this matter and Iam not sanguine of any instant action upon it. The notion will have to be discussed very fully, aud perhaps the public mind will require time to familiarize itself with the suge gestion. lam determined todo what I can to solve this great problem of prison labor, and I see no plag that promises so fairly as this one.” MORE SPACE NEEDED IN THE PRISONS. ‘The Dills introduced already this session providing more space for the increasing number of criminals are exciting a great deal of interest, and will une doubtedly receive very careful attention; the fitet, which was introduced by General Sharpe , of Uistery is substantially the same as that of last year, and calls simply for the appointment of a committee of three to determine whether there is a necessity fora new prison and to select a site for one, should they deem. one necessary. The committee simply reports to. the House, and, of course, does not commit that body to the adoption of its views. The commissioners named in the bill are Superintendent of Prisons Pilisbury, ex-Senator E. W. Madden and Hon. Sinclati Tousey. The bill passed the Senate last year and hi alsoa majority in the Assembly, but failed tor lack of a quorum otf two, It had the support of Mr. Pills+ bury dnd also that of the Governor. other bill, introduced by Mr. Moers, of Clin- ton, proposes to increase the prison in that county at an expense not to exc 0,000, A large array of facts and figures are presented by the advocates of both bills, but the general feeling is that « necessity exists for additional accom: for tho increasing criminal population. The last’ prison erected was the Donnemora, in 1844, Bi which time the ot SS the State almost doubled. The excess of prisoners now at Sing Sing, Auburn and Clinton is something unprecedented. | This crowding of prisou- ers is declared to be bad policy, as when morte than one occupies a cell they corrupt each other like bad fruit. It is not only demoralizing to the nature of the prisoners but is exceedingly unwholesome in ita effects upon their health. WHAT PRISONERS MIGHT EARN. Besides an excess of six hundred over the number of cells at the Clinton Prison there are seven hundred State prisoners boarded out at an annual expense to the State of nearly $200,000, The loss of labor to the State is also to be added to this sum, because if all the prisoners were provided for properly and set at work under the regular prison discipline they would, it is estimated, earn $150,000 yearly. This ina year or two would amount to ® sum sufficient to either extend the Clinton Prison or build a new one. The distance of Clinton Prisog from New York and Brooklyn, which form the great criminal centre, is urged as @ capital objection to the proposed enlargement, as it involves ® heavy expense in getting criminals there, Besides the great cost of transporting supplies there and: carrying away finished goods is so great that: contracts cannot be made remunerative. There is @ dead set also in respect to prison labor, and the mem- bers are casting about for some method of reconciling the conflict between the industries carried on im prisons and the free labor outside thom. It is alleged that the manufacture of hats st Clinton has seri- onsly = the hat trade, especially in Brooklyn, whore it has caused the failure of a large manu. . factory in that line which gave employment to 100 persons, a number equal to one-half the convicts in the Donnemora prison. The object of the bill appointing # commission is to secure a report, seible, ne tow location where some industry may, be carried on which will not conflict with any other industry in the State. Both these bills are in com-; mittee and will probably be brought up at an z Py