The New York Herald Newspaper, March 5, 1879, Page 3

WASHINGTON. Closing Hours of the Forty- Fifth Congress. FAILURE OF ARMY AND LEGISLATIVE BILLS. Proclamation ' of the President -Calling an Extra Session. ORGANMATION OF THE NEXT CONGRESS. The Contest for the Speaker- ship in the House. INTERESTING DEBATE IN THE SENATE. re FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasutnaton, March 4, 1879, THE SPEAKERSHIP OF THE FORTY-SIXTH CON- GRES8S—CONTEST BETWEEN MR. RANDALL AND MR. BLACKBURN—STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF THE CANDIDATES—RADICAL CHANGES TO BE MADE IN THE IMPORTANT COMMITTEES. The. proclamation convening Congress in oxtra session on the 18th of March gives immediate and intense activity to the canvass for the Speakership. ‘There are two principal era Mr. Raadall and Mr. Blackburn, and several -others aro mentioned as possibilities—namely, Mr. Morrison, Mr. S. 8. Cox, Mr. Carlisle, of Kentucky, and Mr. House, of Ten- nessee. The friends of the two principal candidates profess almost equal confidence in the success of their favorites. Mr. Randall's frionds assert that the House will be organized by the democrats without the assistance of the greenbackers, and that in tho democratic caucus, although it will contain at least four or fivd’ and perhaps more members cloected as greenbackers, Mr. Randall will have so considerable @ majority of votes as will insure his election by the House. . Tho friends of Mr. Blackburn confess that they count somewhat upon the assistance of greenback votes. They say that they wil! control these or most of them, and that this will enable them to secure his election. = THE GREENBACKERS. The greenbackers have themselves tried for some ‘weeks to effect an organization of their own, and, have used strong persuasions to induce some of ‘the democratic members of soft money proclivities to act with them, but they have had no success. ‘The greenback members have not bound themselves to act together, nor has any democrat engzged him- self to act with them and separately from the demo- cratic party. It was asserted that Mr. Hengrick B- ‘Wright, a benevolent Pennsylvanian, had good na- turedly promised his alliance to the greenbackers, but the rumor lacks confirmation, THE NEXT HOUSE. The next House will contain 133 new men. Sixty- one democrats and seventy-two republicans aro to eervo their first term. The republican party loses fewer of its experienced and able men than the demo- cratic. Of the members of the present House who do not appear in the next, and who may fairly bo ranked among the influential men of this House, Messrs. Foster, Hale, Jacob D. Cox, Butler, Banks, Burchard, Hunter and Thornburgh are republicans; Mesers. Potter, Schleicher, Hewitt, Lyme, Swann,’ Durham, Williams of Michigan, Southard and Wad- cll tre democrats. On the whole it is plain that tho democrats lose most heavily. If they are to control tho House it is the more vitally necessary to them that they shall make no blunder in the choice of Speaker. SPEAKER RANDALL'# RECORD. It is odd that only two men aro really considored for the place. Mr. Randall has the advantage of ex- perience, He has shown his capacity to manage and even sometimes to control the House. It is greatly to his credit that he so framed tho commit- tees two years ago, and has so influenced the legislation of the House since that few or no jobs have been passed, nono certainly of any Magnitude, and this in spite of the fact that very strong inside and outside pressure was constantly brought to bear in favor of subsidies and jobs of various kinds. It cannot be said that all his com- mittoes were strong, but ho had a great deal of crude material to work up, and a Speaker is by old custom held bound to make the committees fairly represent the sentiments of the House. In the House which has just adjourned the good and evil influences were 80 equally balanced that it has required during two years the constant effort of sensible and instructed men of both parties to keep in check the wild and ignorant part of the members. Tho best that can bo said of the House is that it tolerated very few jobs, and for this the great care with which Mr. Randall mate up the Appropriations Committee is fairly to be credited. ‘MR, RANDALL'S OPPONENTS, On the other hand, it is undeniable that the firm hand with which Mr. Randall has ruled the House and his inexorable detcormination toward economy end houesty, as well as @ certain imperiousness in him, have raised up opponents who are ready to sup- port any man to beat Randall, and who, if Mr. Potter wore in the next Houce, would undoubtedly combino on him. These forces have not, so far, looked earnestly toward any one except Blackburn, whose friends have mado an active canvass for him. They seem to have avoided Mr, Morrison, who was one of the candidates for the Speakership two years ago, and who is a very able, intelligent and honest man, but not a public speaker. For some reasons Mr. Morfison, one of the shrewdest political managers in the House, is not regarded as friendly to Mr. Ran- dall's nomination. It must be said that Mr. Mor- tison, who had been chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the Congress preceding this last, did not fare woll at Mr, Randall's hands when Mr. Randall became Speaker. Ho was made chairmon of a comparativily unimportant committee, and this in the face of the fact that he had proved himeelf an cntirely competent chatr- man of the Ways and Means in every respect, except that, not being an effective public speaker, he did not attempt to take in the House tho place of leader of the majority, which is the traditional office of the chairman of Ways and Means. To s member who has ideas and a policy which he desires to aa- vance, the removal from a prominent to an unim- portant committee is a serious disappointment, as it goes far to, deprive him of his just share of influ. ence ina body like tho House, which does most of its important work in the committee rooms. Henco arises probably tho discontent of Mr. Morrison's friends with Mr. Randall, \- MR. BLACKBURN’s CHANACTERISTICS, ’ Mr. Blackbarn is s man of high character and Pleasing address, a fine public speaker, and has shown on numorons occasions, when temporarily occupying the chair, that he would very satisfac, torily carry on the business of the House. What ho would do inthe more important part of selecting committees and guiding the policy of the House is Jess certain, mainly because the kind of democracy which ho believes in, whether it is Western or Kast- ern, is not known, It is probably not unfair to him to ly that ho leans to Western currency ideas and to Bouthern notions of liberal appropriations, Tho most potent objection urged against him among the democrats is that he is @ Southern man and that the party cannot afford to elevate ® Southern man to so great a place as tho Sponkership, Probably this objection would seem of less account if some Southerner like Lamar were in qnestion, but when Mr. Blackburn is named men remember that he has not been of the conservative: Southern type, In 1877 he was a leader among those who filibustered sqainet tho electoral count. Recently he has been chiet among those who pressed for the repeal at ail baserds of the supervisor laws and who woxo not NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH averse to an extra session, and in general he hes shown more courag@and energy than sound judg- ment. If, as some of its members here strongly de- sire, the democratic party is to embark on an ad- veuturous policy Mr. Blackburn would do very well for its Speaker, THE OTHER CANDIDATES. Of Messrs. Cox, Carlisle and House it is not neces- sary now to speak, because their turn is not likely. to come in the Forty-sixth Congress. Everything points to the election of either Mr. Randall, Mr. Blackburn, or possibly, if the choice should be delayed, Mr. Morrison, and a remark of Mr. Black- burn, that the next Speaker would be either himself or General Garfield, seems to denote that the strug- gle is to be on Mr. Blackburn's side extremely vigor- ous. The Speakership, considering who are the two chief democratic candidates, would seem therefore to lie for the praesent between a representative of Eastern and one of Southwestern democratic ideas and policies, and in this view the election of Speaker can hardly fail to have an important and perhaps decisive influence upon the future policy of the democratic party. ‘This is the more probable, because an unusual number of members of im- portant committees in the Forty-fitth Congress are not returned to the Forty-sixth, and the new Speaker will have to fill their places with men of his own selection and to choose their successors from & House largely made up on both sides of new men elected on dubious platforms and pledged to no definite principles or policies, CHANGE IN COMMITTEES, Of the presont Ways and Means Committee five members—Sayler, Robbins and Harris, democrats, and Banksand Burchard, republicans, disappear; the Appropriations Committee loses four of its most important men—Hewitt and Durham, democrats, and Hale and Foster, republicans; the Banking and Currency Committee loses five democrats—Harden- bergh (hard money), Yeates, Bell, Hartzell and Hart | (soft money), and two republicans—Eames (hard money), and Phillips. (soft money); the Judiciary losos two democrats—Lynde and Stenger, and one republican, General Butler; the Foreign Affairs Com- mittee loses three democrats—Swann,*Hamilton and Bridges, It will bo seen that the five most important committees of the House—those which, to 4 large ex- tent, shape and control the policy of the House, will have to be mado over by the next Speaker, and made over mainly on the democratio side. THER REPUDLICAN CANDIDATE. The republican candidate for Speaker is, of course, General Garfield, There is no one on that side to dispute his right to the place, if in the chances of an evenly balanced House the election should fall to the republicans. But the greenbackers could hardly afford to vote for a hard money man like Garficld. It would be too ludicrous a spec- tacle. Garfield’s majority has to come from another source, and it isamong the rumors circulating here by political gossips that there aro Southern men who have a weakness for Garfield and who would give him their votes in certain contin- gencies; in the case, for instance, that there should be a prolonged and bitter contest over other candi- dates which should lead to new combinations. ‘The new House counts 146 democrats, 128 republi- cans and 13 greenbackers, of whom seven are held to have democratic proclivitios and six republicans. The greenback vote is very naturally the centre.of. politi- cal speculation just now, but in the end it may be that yet other disorganizing elemonts will appear. ——_— FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasuinetor, March 4, 1879. WHAT CONSTITUTRS A QUORUM OF THE HOUSE—A QUESTION WHICH MAY ENTER INTO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FORTY- SIXTH CONGRESS. The question of what constitutes a quorum of the House of Represchtatives will come up as an im- portant matter for consideration at the very opening of the Forty-sixth Congress, for the reason that, with the democrats in so slim majority ond with two vacancies already among the members elect, caused, the one by the death of Mr. Smith, of New York, and the other by the death of Mr, Schleicher, of Texas, some olose - figuring will be necessary to give the democrats a convenient working majority. It is evon likely that Governor Robinson will be asked to order a special election im- mediately to fill the vacancy in the Twelfth New York district. This district, under ordintry cir- cumstances, is counted upon to send a democrat, end the ‘Govornor of Texas maybe given a similar hint, so as to enable the _ majority, to have two more of their party here..as soon as possible, The absence of Representatives from these districts and with four vacancies in the representa- tion of the State of California, whose Congressional election does not take place until September, the pos- sible total attendance of members is reduced to 287. Of this number 144 is a quorum, instead of the 147 which would bg required should the quorum be con- strued to mean a majority of the possible total membership. There are soveral rulings in. favor of the former interpretation of the constitution suf- ficient to maké precedents for the present occasion, Every advantage of this kind will naturally be availed of by the democrats, and it is asserted that they were shrewd enough to prepare for this contin- gency the other day when they got a chance td evoke a ruling from Speaker Randall to the above effect, the Speaker having. in turn quoted the ruling of the Thirty-seventh Con- gress when, in the absence of Representatives from the seceded States, a majority of the members elected was held to bo a quorum. This fact puts at rest, it is thought, the apprehension that with a majority constituted so slimly with reference to the possible entirs membership of the House the democrats would encounter difficulty if not defeat in organizing it. SENATE REORGANIZATION. In the reorganization of the Senate it is decided that Senator Bayard will succeed Senator Morrill as chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Thur- man will be chairman of the Judiciary Committee instead of Senator Edmunds, and Senator Ran- dotph or Gordon chairman of the Appropria- tions Committee instead of Senator Windom, There are thirty-five standing committees in the Senate. The chairmanship of three of these will probably be given to the ropubli- cans, and there are thirty democratic Senators who have served some years and who are entitled by cus- tom to expect chairmanships, There ere thus chair- manships enough to go around. Among the can- didates for Secretary of the Senate already in the field aro Colonel Birch, of Tennessee; Harvey Wat- terson, of Kentucky, and Mr. Buell, of Missouri. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasnineton, March 4, 1879, THE CLOSING HOURS OF CONGRESS—AN ERA OF GOOD FEELING, During the last hours of the Forty-fifth Congress the Capitol was crowded to its utmost capacity. ‘There was noone measure awaiting the docivion of Congress which was of paramount public tmport- ance, and yet the doorkeepers ayor that there has not been near so large an attendance for years. All classes seemed to have turned out to witness the proceedings. The crowd per- meated the lobbies, the basement and every place where it could find an entrance, the “floor not being excepted, andin all the committeo rooms on the first floor Senators and members wore holding levecs and handshaking with hundreds of friends. The lobbyists were in unusually strong force. Tho crowd was at its height about ten o'clock, and for two hours after suffered but very slight diminution, To the crowds of some five or six years back it bore a marked contrast. It was thoroughly well behaved, Notwithstanding thoypartisan feeling which per- vaded both sides of tho House of Representatives in the various matters that camo wp during the night session, there was # remarkable absence of personal animosity on the part of members toward their political opponents, Mr. Conger, pt Michigan, was the most active and irritating of the antagonists, aginst whose attacks the democrats were all the time culled upon to defend themselves, but yet he and Mr, Springer, of Miinois, whom ho sewmed specially jttent on tormenting, wore, whonevor they mot in the aisles or when they actod 9s telless togother, in as amicablo aud pleasant it | English Inw had existod hero watil, wit 9, 1879.—-TRIPLE SHEET: a mood as if no stinging sarcasms ever passed be- tween them. It was the same with Mr, Atkins and Mr. Foster, with Mr, Southard and Mr. Garfield and with all the other mutually hostile elements, On one occasion that Mr. Springer tried to get im some remarks out of order, Mr. But- ler, of Massachusetts, planted himself squarely in front of him and discharged a volley of “I objects,” each louder and more emphatic than the one before, and he kopt at it until he carried his point, and as he walked over to his desk again he gave as a reason for his demonstration that he was not going to listen to abuse of a friend of his, There ‘was less of tumult and uproar than at almost any other last night of a Congress, and there was not the least sign of that hilariousness which has sometimes characterized such a night seesion, The attendance of members all through the twenty-two hours of the sitting was quite large, and when the vote indicated the absence of a quorum it ‘was generally because members refrained from yot- ing. Some of the oldest members—notably Mr, Butler, of Massachusetts, and Messrs. Patterson and Townsend, of New York—were among those who showed the least signs of fatigue, and after a brief recess of one hour and three-quarters they were among the earliest in attendance, The Speaker was seldom out of the chair, and he stecred the House through the sudden storms and through the rocks and quicksands of parliamentary navigation with great skill, tact, moderation and impartiatity. THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION CALLING AN EXTRA SUSSION. The following is the proclamation of the Prest- dent convening Congress in extra session on the 18th inst.:— By Tuy PrestpeNr oF THe UxITED STATES OF Amesica, A PROCLAMATION. Whoreas the final adjournment of the Forty-fifth Congress without making the usual and necessary ap- propriations for the legislative, executiveand judicial expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, and without making the usual and necessary appropriations for the support of the army, for the same fiscal year, presents an extra- ordinary eccasion, requiring the President to exer- cise the power vested in him -by the constitution, to convone the houses of Congress in anticipation of the day fixed by law for their next meeting. Now, therefore, I, Rursrrrorp B. Hares, President of the United States, do, by virtue of the power to this end in me vested by the constitution, convene both houses of Congress, to, assemble at their. respective Chambers at twelve o'clock noon, on ‘Tuesday, tho 18th day of March inst., then and there to consider and (dctermine such measures as, in their wisdom, their duty and the welfare of the people may seem to demand. In wit- ness wheroof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 4th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1879, and of the independence of the United States of America the loud, R. B. HAYES, By the President, Wirt1aM M. Evants, Secrotary of State. THE APPROPRIATION BILLS, All the annual appropriation Dilts, except the Leg. islative, Executive and Judicial bill and the Army Dill, was signed by the President and have become laws, together with tho bill making the requisite ap- propriation to pay arrears of pensions. The last named measure reached tho President a little before twelve o’clock and was promptly approved. It is understood that a Message vetoing the River and’ Harbor Appropriation bill was prepared, but under the influence of great pressure the Executive signa- ture was finally affixed to that bill. PRINCIPAL LAWS ENACTED DURING THE LAST SESSION OF THE FORTY-FIVTH CONGRESS. The principal measures which have become laws during the last session, in addition to ten of regular annual appropriation bilts, are:— The bill reducing the tax on tobacco and otherwise amending the internal revenue laws. The Census bill. Tho bill to aid the refunding of the national debt by authorizing tho issue of small Troasury certifi- cates. 4 The bill to prevent the introduction of infectious or contagious diseases, and bills providing for the payment of arrears of pensions for service during the war of the rebellion. PROCEEDINGS .OF CONGRESS. SENATE. Wasutxarow, March 4, 1879. The bill under considetation—the Mississippt Im- provement Commission bili—was further amended, but farther action upon it was deferred. Mr. Donsey, (rop.) of Ark., made a report from the Conference Committee on tho Post Office Appropria- tion bill, but owing to an informality the report was referred back to the committeo for correction. Mr. WrNvom,, (rep.) of, Minn., reported that the Committes af Conference on tho Legislative, Execu- tive and Judicial Appropriation bill had been unable te agree:: The: point on which the conferees were unablo to agree was the proviso of the House fixing the pay of jurors in the United States courts at $2 a day, repealing the test oath and also so much of the Revised Statutes as provides for the appointment of supervisors of election. The House took the posi- tion that the only condition on which an agreement could:be mado was that the conferees on the part of the Senate should recede from that point. The latter could not consent to this condition. He might say in reference to si the appropriation bills that they had all been agreed upon by both houses except the bill he had referred to, the Army bill and the Post Office bill, Thero- fore the Senate would see that all items of appro- priation relating to money to carry on the gov- ernment had been agreod to and the only grounds of disagreement were contained in the ‘legislative provisions. Ho believed that there was a disagrce- meat in regard to the Army bill as well as that now pending. For the purpose of testing the sense of the Senate upon the subject he moved that the Senate insist upon its amendments, although tho Senate conferees did not believe it was possible to obtain an agreement upon the legislative provisions, Mr. BLarNe, (rep.) of Mo., said that the only point of difference between the conferees on tho Army bill was the fitty-first section, which, at his request, was read. It proposes to amend the ‘Revised Statutes so that no army or naval officials shall bring troops or armed men at places where elections are being hold unless such force be necessary to repel armed enc- mies of the United States. Mr. Brarnx said that no charges had been made in any State that voters had beon hindered or in an; way interfered with by United States soldt ant he thought that, as one of the conterees; Be? was representing the Sonats when he said that if the army interfered in such a manner the grievances should not remain another hour, but nobody has suffered in that Mr. Katon, (dem.) of Conn.—The rinciple of hin the last a and ought to continue to be the law of the land. Mr. Inarxk—And the Senate conferees believe that Rep sapere be without intimidation and free, and that the government is strong cnough to sec that this is done, Mr. Eaton—The Senator should take some means to uso of eoldiers. Mr. Wr id that some of the conterees maintained that the presence of soldiers at the polls as incompatrble with freedom of elections. Mr. Buatnk—Does the Senutd® intimate that the section of the Revised Statutes referred to gives per- mission for soldiers to be near the polls when matters are going on peaceably? Mr. Wiriens—I mean to intimate that the pree- ence of armed soldiers Care oe progress of an election is incompatible with the freedom of elec- tions, Mr. BLarxe—Does the Senator mean to show any such cases? Mr. Wirnens—There was one case in iny own State. Mr. Bratxe—That was the Petersburg case. If Petersburg had been in possession of an armed mob and the city in conflagration you would not hayo permitted a soldier to appear. Mr. Wrraens—That would have been much less of on evil, for the presence of soldiers interferes with the privilege of a frve people. Mr. BLAINE thought cases of interference have not ocenrred in sixteen years. Your party comes in and says that wo must surrender to the demands of the Louse, DEMOCRATIC PURPOSE DEVINED. Mr. Brcx, (dem.) Ky., said that ho was one of the conferee: ° Legislative, Execu- tive and Judicial Appropriation bill when efforts were made to ree oon the amend mont. The Senator from Minnesota (Mr. Windom) was correct in saying that the House conferees were in favor of retaining that part of the bili to whieh he alluded, and that the Senate conferees were equally tenacious in maintaining that all that should be struck out. ‘There was no attorpt at a division of the qnestion and no prospect of arriving at a con+ cluston. The coudition of things seemed to bo this— namely :—The House conferees insisted that armed sokliers should not be at the polls at the time of elections, and that there should be no interference where the rights of men were involved, and that States should be free to conduct their elections withont federal interposttion. And the determination seemed to be that unless thove rights were Teapected they would refuse to make appropriation s to curry o8 tie government, and if the demand of the mAjority of the Senate were meisted on they seomed furthor to agree that it there should be an extra session—which would be much regretted—the commits of both houses would be organiged at once and separate bills framed inaday. The two houses would then ask the President to agree with them to repeal the law allowing soldiers to go to polls under the pretext of keeping peace, and to repeal the laws relating to juries, so that persons brought be- fore the courts may have a fair trial, and another bill, providing that the United States government shall not utertere with affairs pertaining to States, When these three bills shall have been signed by the President then Congress will pass every appropriation bill as now, withont attempting any further action. If the President should veto the bills thus presented no money wouid be supplied. Mr. Cowxxixa, (rep.) of N. Y., after a review of the sections of the Revised Statutes sought to be re- pened. said the Senator from Kentucky, who had long been a distinguished member of the House, would not, on reflection, repeat that the Houre- meaning a majority of it—during all the days and week at had elapsed, had failed to act upon the Senate bill pressed in December last, before the holid: repealing section 820—one of these very section: ‘Mr. Brcx explained by saying that the House was not able to pass the bill because the motion from the Indiciary Committee to suspend the rules failed to Teceive & vote 01 irds. @ SPELCH OF MR, CONKLING. Mr. Co. ING would restate that the Senate bill would have been read in one minute by the watch, but the House did not act upon it, and this circum- stance would form au important part in this forum should an extra session be brought about. The Senutor from Kentucky had declared that unless the Senate should surrender to the House there would be am extra session, at which the Executive would be sunimoned to surrender. Years ago the two houses of Congress said in substance that there should be committed to the courts of the nation a ciscretion by whieh men who’ had levicd war against tho goverument of the United States might in a given in- stance be excluded froma jury. Years have elapsed and one Congress after another has appeared ond re- appeured and disappeared, and now the Honse of Represeutatives told the Senate that unless this dis- cretion wax taken away from the courts they would vefust to pass a bill to maintain the army, and that a separate bill would at the extra session be introduced demanding a repeal of this uct. Now, without the ballot boxes and the election law there would have been no fair election luw in the State in which he had lived since that law was enacted. It was enacted to uard the bullot boxes in the State ot New york from the thugs and thieves of Tammany Hall, and it had guarded the ballot boxes irom those marauders. He was not going to argue that the law had not been abused, He was not going to discuss whether either of these Jaws had been sub- ject to attempts to pervert or overstrain them. When that question was pertinent he should be ready to discuss it, in reference to some of the allegations that had been made. They were told that unless these provisions were repealed no appropriation Dills were to pass at this swift passing session, and that at the next session the majority of the two houses Would virtually take the govern- ment by the throat and refuse to let it Dreathe unless these provisions were surrendered, He, for one, was ready to meet that issue; they would not be repealed by his vote, be an extra session necessary or not. He went on to show how the democrats of the House had plenty of opportunities and power to remove this obnoxious section from the statute book, but now that, too, was to be made one of the mukeweights to justify this revolutioaary proceeding. SPEXCH OF MB. THURMAN, Mr. Tuurman, (dem.) of Ohio, said no more impor- tant question in a time of peace was ever brought before an American Congress, for it involved not merely the merit or demerit of the law which the House bill proposed to repeal, but also'the rights, privileges and powers of the two branches of Con- [aw and of the President. It was a question which ad never been brought eo sharply before tho American Congress and American people as it might be now. It was one which sooner or later Must be decided. We were at the beginning, perhaps, of a struggle that might last as long in this country as it did in the mother country, where it went on for two centuries betpre it was determined. It was not likely to last so long here; but it might last so long that every mun in that Chamber would rest in his grave before it was completed. It was the question whether the House of Representatives hud the right to say they would graut supplies only on condition that grievances wore redressed. ‘They would say:—“We represent the taxpayers of the Republic, und we only have the right to originate money bills which grant the money of the people the Senate represents the State. We represent the were of the Republic, and we Claim the right which the English House of Commons established after a contest lasting two centurics. Now, this had been styled revolutionary, but he was not to be frightened from a consi tion of these measures by unjust denunciation, Mr. Tuuuman then yave a brief xésumé of the strug- gles in Europe to make the voice of the people heard, and pointed out that the contest in England was not against the monarch only, but against the Howse of Lords; and thoy established the rnle that the Houso of Lords had no right to amend a money. bill, but must accept or reject. it in too. The Senate, Mp, Thurman said, cannot be the represen- tative of the taxpayers os was the House, The er of the House to de! 1d conditions on which to grant supplies {s more ljkely to grow than diminish. No danger is likely to fesult from it. On tho contrary, it was much inore likely to maké the government acceptable to the ple, and the gov- crament of the is administered for the bencfit of the. bo} ith regard to the law in to jurors he said it was @ disgrace to civilization. It Made the selection of a ‘fair jury impossible. House now asked that a, mode be adopted by which a fair and non-partivan jury could bo procured. THK PORT OFFICE RILL. At this point Mr. Donsrr, from the committee of conference on the Post Office Appropriation bill, made a report which was agreed to. The dispute on the repeal of the Supervisors law was continued at great length. Mr, Hannm, (dem.) of Tenn., asked for 8 suspen- sion of discussion in order thatthe Senate might consider thé Honse bill to. restore the churches in the District of Columbia to their respective congre- gations. The churches wore assessed and taxed to the amount of $47,000, and, consequently, nearly every ono was sold. It was desirible that tho act of 1874, 80 far as it affected these churches, should bo amended and the churches restored to their respec- tive trustees. The bill was read and agreed to. VOTE ON THE LEGISUATIVE BITE. A vote was then taken upon a motion that tho cowmittce recede from its position relative to the Legislative bill and was lost, by 30 nays to 26 yeas. Mr. Tuvan then moved that the Senate strike out from the amendment to the House bill that pert relating to jurors. Mr. CONKLING rose to @ point of order and submit- ted that the two motions could not be made an amendment. ae ys The Prestpent raled the motion out of order, and Mr. Thurman appealed against the decision, and, on motion of Mr. Conkling, the appeal was laid on the table. A motion was then made that the Senate sustain its amewdment to the bill which, on the yeas and nays being called, was carriod by a vote of 29 yeas to 24 nays, Mr. Brarxge moved that another Committece of Conference on the Legislative Appropriation bill be asked of tho House and this was agreed to. Ho also moved that the Senate still further insist on its amendments to the Army bill. On motion of Mr. Bayanp, the following resolu- tion was adopted Resolved, That the thanks of the Seuate are due and are tondered to Hon. Wiil'am A. Wheeler for lity and courteous imanuer In which he has ver the deliberations of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Conxiina st bag a eight o’clock the Senate took a recess till ten o'clock. PRESIDENT PRO TEM. ELRCTED. Tho Senate reassembled at ten o'clock A. M., and ‘was called to order by Secretary Gorham, who read a letter from the Vice sident testitying to the Senate that he would not occupy the chair again during the resent ene and that a President pro tem, might « eleeted. Mr. Axruoyxy, (rep.)of BR. L, submitted a resolu- tion declaring the Hon Thomas W. Ferry, of Michi- gan, President pro tem, of the Senate. Mr. Baxanp, of Del., moved to amend the resoln- tion by substituting tho name of the Hon, Allon G, Thurman, of Ohio, for that of Mr. Ferry. ‘Hejected—yeas 26, nays 28—as follows :— Mesers, Bailey, Bayard, Beck, Butlor, Cockrell Nivel iinate: ‘Davie of West’ Virge Hartis, Hereford, fi ar, McPherson, Maxey, Merrimon, Wallace, Whyte and Wjthers—26. . Messts, Allison, Anthony, Blaine, Booth, Burn- ‘ot Ponnaylvenis, Cameron’ of Wisconsin, Hamlin, Hoar, In by, Pade Vinmb, Koll eavern, Spencer, lesby, BP Pinmb,” iol ‘ Toler, Wadioigh aud Windom—2& rises Mesars, Eustis, Jobtison, McCreery, Garland and Shields, who would have voted in tho affirmative, were paired with Messrs. Chaffee, Sargent, Howa, Patterson and Sharon, who would have voted tn tho negative. Fie original resolution dcclaring Mr. Ferry Presi- dent pro tem, was then se to, amd Mr. Perry was vooorted to the chatr by Mr. Thurman. Upon taking the chair Mr. Fanny suid :— Thanking you, Honasors for this renewal of your ons confidenca, T enter at onco npon the duties to which you have chosen me, A number of bills upon the calendar were called up and passed, uni- pre- hai 7 eis, Kirkw THR CONTAGIOUS DIGASE BILL, 4 Mr, Hanns, (dem.) of Tenu., called up the House bill to prevent the introduction of infectious or coutagious diseases into the United States and to establivit a National Board of Health, Passed. y, of Rhode Island, and Thurman, pointed # committee to Join a aimi- m the part of the Houso and wait upon the President to notify him that Congress was iy to adjourn. he Senate then, on motion of Mr. Evwunps, of mont, at five minutes to eleven o’clock A. M., went into exeentive session, and when the doors were reopencd at half-past eleven o'clock Mr. Wixvost, of Minnesota, submitted a joint resolution similar to that submitted years ago when the appropriation bills Were not passed until after the Ist of July, pro- viding that in cave of the failure of the Logislative, Judicial and Executive and the Army Appropriation Dilla, the similar bills for the current fiscal year shall be extended for six months (till January 1, 1880), #0 a8 to avoid an oxtra session of Congress. Objections were made to its consideration by Mr. SAULAHURY, of Debawware, and it was laid aside. The clock over the muin entrance to the Senate Chamber showed that it was within one minuto of the hour of noon, the time for tinal adjournment. Mr. THURMAN, of Ohio, from the committes to wait on the President, said they were waiting for the House Committee, He suggested that the presiding officer keep his eyes away irom the clock for two or three minutes. Captain Bassett, the doorkecper, hero nut clock back five minutes, creating much laughter in the galleries. House bill to provide for a publie building in Brookiyn, N. ¥., for a post office and other govern- ment offices, was received, aud Mr. Conkling of New York, asked for its present consideration, but objec- tion was made by Mr. Davis, of West Virginia, it ‘was laid aside. . Mr. Cockrex1, (dem,) of Mo., called up House bill to anthorize the President to appoint Jatnes Shields, of Missouri (whose term of service as Senator ex- Pires to-day), a Brigadier General in the United States army, on the retired list. Mr. SaxGent, of California, id he disliked very much to do so, but he must object tothe bill on principle, It was Inid aside, At this point Senator-clect Logan entered the Cham- ber and looked up &t the clock with some surprise, creating renewed laughter and applause in the gal- leries. Mr. AntHoxy, of Rhode Island, from the Commit- tee to wait upon the President of the United States, reported that they had discharged that duty and the President had replied that he had no further commu- nication to make to Congress. THE ADJOURNMENT. Mr, Ferry, of Michigan, President pro tem., said the time fixed for the final adjournment of Congress, baving arrived, the Chair dee the Forty-fitth Conyress adjourned without day. ‘Tho closing hours of the session were character- ized by even more disorder and confusion than usual, not only the galleries but the floor of the Senate were crowded, and at times it was impossible to un- derstand what was going on until the Chair, with some difficulty, partially restored order, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WastinGron, March 4, 1879. Mr. Knorr, of Kentucky, asked unanimous con- sent to present the report on the charges against Judge Blodgett, of Chicago, with a resolution that the charges be laid on the table, but Mr. Braaa, of Wis- consin, objected. Mr. Wut, (rep.) of Pa., at one o’clock A. M. moved arecess till nine o'clock. Negatived—13 to 137. The matter under consideration being the Seward impeachment, Mr. Sprincer, (dem.) of Ti., asked whether it was the intention of the other side to demand a separate vote on each article. Mr. Burer, (rep.) of Mass.—If the resolutions make a case against Mr. Seward for acts done as Min- ister I will vote for his impeachment, but I wili not vote for articles impeaching him for what he did as Consul and Consu! General years and years ago. Mr. Spnincrn—Does the gentleman intend to calla separate vote on cach of these articles? Mr. Buruer—I do. The question was then raised whether a vote should be taken first on the first article or on the general resolutions of impeachment, the republicans claiming the former and Mr. Springer insisting on the latter. The Seraxer decided in favor of Mr. position. ‘ The question was taken on tho resolution of im- peachment, and thero were yeas 109, nays 17—no quorum—the republicans generally having declined to vote. . Springer's THE ARMY BILL. Mr. Hewrrr, (dem.) of N. Y., at twenty minutes of two, reported that the Conference Committee on the Army Appropriation bill had not been able to agree. ‘The question was raised on the democratic side that there was no quorum on the last vote, and that therefore nothing was in order but a call of the House on a motion to adjourn. The Speaker decided that a conference report could be received pending a cal! of the House, and the report was therefore redd. Mr. Hewitt (on the suggestion of republicans) made astatement as to the matters in controversy, He stated that an agreement could be reached on all of them excoptas to the presence of troops at the polls. That issue had been fairly presented. On one side the House conferees insisted that the time had come when it should no longer be lawful for a soldier to be at polling places. On the other side it was insisted with equal force that the provision of the statutes should be maintained, and that the power should remain iu the executive to order troops to the polls on the day of election, if in his judg- ment it was necessary to preserve the peace. That presented the very essence involved in the principle vernment. principle had been inherited by . tho ‘American people. No English speuking man, for 200 years, had questioned the fact that soldiers should never be present at the polls. The question never would have been raised in this conntry but for the unhappy calamity of civil war. For fitteen years the American ple had been striving to recover lost ound. It had made gigantic sacrifices to got back resumption of specie payment, but nothing nd ant done for resum, tion” of politic: rights—those rights that * the very foundation of the government. It wis a shame ‘that resumption of ie pay its should have preceded resumption of these rights. It was an imputation on a liberty-loving people that it hms bho the time to pass by till now without resum- ing theso rights. ISSUE SQUARELY RAISED. Now that the tssuc had been raised could they sur- render on the question? Would they be justified in conceding the principle (in time of profound peace) that soldiers should be ordered by. the Executive ower to the polls? (‘‘No, no” from tho democrats.) ic himself, of all the membera of the House, was most anxious that there should be no extra session. Tho individual interests of the country wanted Congress to go in peace; but there were things greater than money, greater than profit, without which moncy disappeared sud profits were illusory things, for which men had sacrificed fortuno, family and lite in every age of the world— that the greatest of those things was the right of self-government. The question in the bill was the very essence of that struggle which’ had lasted since governments were founded. The recovery of those Tights wee almost as difficult as thoir cstablish- ment. If, when the opportunity came, it was once passed by, the opportunity would never como a second time. If this provision should remain on tho statute book, and if an unscrupulous Executive should be placed in the Presidential chair (with power tocontrol troops at the polls), the people would never elect a successor to that President. That danger confronted the country now. This matter was pressed now because when an army Dill failed once before the army was ntained until the time of the next election before Congress was called together and provision could be made for tho army's be tp Under that precedent the army could be continued (without appropriations) through the next Prosidential election, and if there show be a disposition (as ho trusted there would not be) to use the mili power for gers purposes, then, in hus judgment, it would be almost impossi- ble ever ugain to elect a President of the United States by the voice of the a le. It was for that reason that the House conferees had felt constrained to plant them- selves firmly on the ground that they would never yield this provision, and he trusted they would be sustained by the unanimous voice of this side (Ap- plause on the democratic side.) At this point, two o'clock A. M.,@ message from the Senate announced that the conference report on the Post Office Appropriation bill had been disagreed to and asking a new conference. MR. FOSTER RXPLAINS, Mr. Fostrn, (rep.) of Ohio, remarked that the gen- tloman (Mr. Hewitt) had been a conferee on the Army bill alone. He (Mr. Foster) had been a conferee on both bills where these political questions arose. He thought that he fally realized the importance of try- ing to come to an ugreement on those bills and say- ing the country the annoyance of an extra soasion. With that view ho hed offered what he thought was a fair basis of compromise or hee that was¢hat the republican #ide of the House would agree to the proposition embraced in the Army bill would also ree to the jury clause in the legislative bill, and thne the demfocrats should recede from the clause known a6 the supervisors sud marshals’ clause. Thoy had been, however, informed in conference b; their democratic triends that they could not y! anything. He believed that if that basis of sottie- ment had been ngreed upon by his democratic friends a settlement would have beon reached. He himself cared but little about the Prop sition in 1 the Army bill. Perhaps tho time had come when it ought to be to. The repub- licans were a8 much in love with liberty as his friend from New York (Mr. Howitt), and he had yet to learn that a single voter had ever yet been prevented by troops from voting. On the contrary, they had assisted hundreds and thonsands of poor Reople to vote who otherwise could not havo voted. hat had been tts offect. The republicans, however, were not quite ready to yield to all these demands. He was as anxious as his friend from New York to reach a conclusion, The only propositions for a set- tlement had come from republicans. The democrats had stood like mant, refusing to concedo a single thing, refusing to dot an ‘1 or to cross a “t.”” This measure could be aasod by the democrats at the next session as an in- dependent measure, and then if the President vetoed it, they could put it in an appropriation bill. There would be no election to be atlected by it between now and 1880, except in California, and ‘the Tepublicans were willing to except California now. There was nothing in the proposition except that the democrats proposed to make an issue upon it and to cram it jown the throats of the republicans by legislation. Atter additional debate the yote waa taken on tho motion that the Honse insists on its disagreements and it was agreed it. The Seward impeachment was again (three A. M.) taken up and ® vote was taken on the resolution. ‘The republicans again declined to voto, o that there way no quorum voting. Mr. Porrxn, (dem.) of N. Y., suggested to Mr. Springer that ho had performed his whole duty in the matter, and that he should now withdrew the report. After 4 brtef discussion, in which there were some stormy passages, the Honse reconsidered the yoto ordering the previous question, and thus got rid of the subject. THY POTTER COMMITTER REPORTS, Mr. Porren, ot New York, then, at tour A. M., pre- sented the report of the Committee on Election Frauds, with the views of the minority, the views of ‘Mr. Butlor, and also a report on the ciplier despatches. They were orderéd printed, ME, BioUNT, (dom. of Ga, Srom the. 3 Conference on the Pest Office Appropriation bill, made a supplementary report, with a provision double postal cards. “Agr ed to. ‘The Senate bill for the appointment of James Shields as briyadier general on the retired list was taken froim the Speaker's table and passed—yeas 118, nays 56—the Speaker voting in the ‘eflirmative to make the necessary two-thirds majority. THE BLODGETY Cask. Mr. Kworr, (dem.) of Ky., from the Judiciary Com mittee, presented a report in the Blodgett case, with a resolution that the charges against H. W. Blodgett, United States District Judge for the Northern dis- trict of Illinois, be laid on the table, and that the House take no action thereon. Mr. Baca, of Wisconsin, inststed on haying the ro- port read in full. The Srvakex sustained Mr, Broge’s right to have the paper read, and much amusement was caused by the efforts of an inexperienced reading clerk to et through the paper, the regular reading clerks being worn ont with work of Jong days’ sessions. Finally the Clerk’ got to the end of the paper, Mr. Bragg #s- serting that he had skipped a large part of it, and the resolution was adopted. The Senate bill to allow thirty days’ extra pay to committee clerks. pages and messengers of both houses, who do not receive annual salaries, was taken from the Speaker's table and passed, Mr. Giuson, of Louisiana, trom the Committee on Epidemic Diseases, reported a bill for the appoint- ment of health commissioners, &c., and mo that the rules be suspended and the bill passed. The vote stood 96 to 3, but objection was made that there was no quorum voting, so that the mo tion failed. THE CHARGES AGAINST THE SPEAKER. Mr. Canpirn, (dem.) ot Ga., at half-past six o'clock made a report from the committee appointed to in- vostigate the charge contained in a letter of Special Agent Williams against the Speaker—Mr. Carlisie, of Keutueky, occupying the clair as Speaker pro lem, The report, which was read, states that every statement of wrong made in the letter was without even the semblance of truth. At no time did it de serve or reeeive official consideration, The com- mittee calls attention to the fact that the letter con- taining such grave charges against a reputable gen: tleman—adgnitted to be false by its author and recipient—was handed about the streets of Washington for sfle to the press. The conimittee admits that just criticism of ofticial con duct is highly proper and conducive to the publio good, but thinks that the publishing of the letter by the New Yerk Bulletin and Washington Post was, under all the cireumstan a reckless disre- gard of public right and to entitle it to, the severest ‘The report was ordered printed, and it being by this time evident that there was nothing to be g by a longer continuance of the nizht session, the House, at 4 quarter past seven, took a recess until nine A, M. The House resumed its session at nine A. M. Mr. Arxrss, (dem.) of Tenn., moved that the House insist on its disagreement to Sen amendments to the Legislative Appropriation bill, and that a new conference comanittee be appointed. Mr. Baker, (Kep.) of Ind., moved to concur in Senate amendments, whereupon Mr. McKenzie, of Kentucky, moved to take a recess. Mr, BAKER, how- ever, stating that there was a likelihood that a new conference could come to an agreement, withdrew his motion, and Messrs. Atkins, Durham and Foster were appointed conferees. ‘Yhe House then resumed the consideration of the bill known as the McGowan Health bill, and it was passed—yeas 169, nays 03. It provides for a commission of health, to sit in Washington, to establish rules and regulations in regard to the public health, to obtain and communi- cate information on the subject of epidemic diseases and to report to the next Congress. ARREARS OF PENSIONS BILL Mr. Sparus, (dem.) of Lil., moved to nd the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the Arrears of Pensions bill. The motion, which was sustained by an over whelming viva voce vote, excited Mr. Mruns, of ‘Texas, Mr. McKeNzir, of Kentucky, and afew other members on the democratic side, who loudly pro- tested against the measure as one that would rob the ople. Fora few moments there was a horrible uproar, ip the midst of which Messrs. Mills and Mchenzie ould be’ ued. gesticulating wildly, but not a word which they utte’ could be heard above the din. The yeas and 8 were ordered, and the motion to suspend the ru 8 and pass the bill was agreed 61. The original bill ropriates $25,000,000 for arrears of pensions for the next fiscal year. jhe amendments arc :— First—To allow pension agents 30 cents for each payment, and approp-zicting $150,000 for the pur- Povecond—To strike out the clause excapting pen: sious granted by special act. Third—That m no case shall arrears be allowed’ to date from before the actual disabilities, and— Fourth—Limiting the time of spplication for ax ears to July, 1880, Mr. ATKIxs, of Tenmesses, at ten minutes past eleven, reported that the Conference Committee on the Legislative bill had not been able to agree, and he moved that the House ‘adhere’ (which is a parlia- mentary finality). Lhe motion was agreed to. Dy (rop,) of Olio Mr. Carlisle, of K ‘Mr. GARFIELD, (rep.) 0! hio—Mr. Carlisle, of Ken- tucky, being in the chair—offered the following resos lution, which was unanimously adopted : sotved, That the thanks of the Hor oo on eee cen tives, for the prompt, efficiont and. im the arduous duties of his office during th gress. On motion of Mr. DuxNent, (rep.) of Minn., @ resolution of thanks was also passed in honor of the two reading clerks, Thomas 8. Pettit and Neil 3 Bro’ wn. ‘Mr. Atgrxs, of Tennessee, then took the floor and led to read an address to the House in defence of the action of the majority and condemning the Federal Election laws and the clunee in the statutes providing for the stationing of troops at the polls. He was followed by several republicans who placed the responsibility for the faflure of the Appropriar tion bitls on the majority. Ono of the interruptions in Mr. Atkins’ speech was to allow the appointment of a committee, consisting of Messrs. Wood, of New York; Blackburn, of Ken- tucky, and Garfield, of Ohio, to wait on the President and inquire whether he had any turther communica- tion to make to the Forty-fifth Congress. ° The ap- pointment of that committee was followed by the ap- intment of Mossrs. Blount, of Georgia; Mills, of [exas, and Hale, of Maine, as visitors to the West Point Military Academy, aud of Messrs. Durhem, of Keutucky; Knapp, of Illiuois, and Freeman, of Penn- sylvania, as visitors to the Annapolis Naval Academy. Tho committee appointed to wait upon the Presi- dent here made its report, through Mr. Wood, that it had communicated with the President and that the President had no other communication to make to this House except as to the signing of bills. The debate regarding the responsibility for an extra session was continued and the excitement had become very intense. THE HOUSE ADJOURNED. Suddenly the Speaker's gavel fell, he asked for silence, and tho immense askemblage became hushed. in an instant. Then, in @ voice that was somewhat tremulous with emotion, he said:— SPEAKER RANDALL'S ADDREAS. ReprysentaTives—In a moment this Congress will expire. Its acts, whether for weal or woe, are in- delibly inscribed upon the pages of history. In this hall party has been arrayed against party aud interest against interest in fierce and bitter a but it is due to truth to say that on every side there has been honest ambition to win popularesteem by sock- dug, each in his own way, according to his best judg- ment, the general welfare. Whethor or not the de sired end of the public good has been successfully attained is for time to prove; but that such has been the aim of both sides cannot justly be disputed. Gentine concord between all the States and the ¢itizens thereof is the corner stone of our national prosperity. What prostrates or elevates one at the expense of the other inevitably inures to the ultimate injury of all. Although each Representative has championed the grishes of his immediate consti- tuency with earnestness and ose i during the whole period of the existence of this House there hag not beon a single breach of logislative decornm. That noble respect of generous rivalry in a common good cause has softened all asperitics. I feel that mere words are inadequate to thank fully this House for its resolution of approval o! the manner in which I have disclfarged the duties of Speaker, always responsible and onerous and often most delicate and difficult. I have done my best. Long service hero has taught me that hate or ven, has nover raised any cause to cecal honor; white on the contrary justice and mutu regard have often given the er side an easy vic~ tory. Withtwo parties dividing the people, cach holding an important share in the government; with strict accountability on the of public servants and vigilant eyes watching 3 with reviving busi- ness aud restored confidence, may we not look hopes fully to the early dawn of a newferajof inc: oy perity and greater happiness for the country? oh is my fervent prayer. To cach and every momber here I tender my heart- felt acknowledgment for the kindly forbearance ex- tended to me as Wing officer of this House, and to say that I shall ever gratefully cherish the honor of which I have beon the recipient. With the expression of the wish that you all may return safely and in health to your homes it only Temaius for mo to declare, in accordance with the constitution of the United States, this House stands aljourned without day. The conclusion of the & er’s address was most enthusiastically applauded by members and specta- tors, and, as he stepped down from his chair to mingle withhis late associates the floor, he was heartily greeted by all who could approach bim. The usual leave taking between members was then had and the ball was socom given over to the Door- keeper and his assistants. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. MOVEMENT OP NATIONAL VESSELS—ORDERS. Wastrsoros, March 4, 1879, Despatches to the Secretary of the Navy announce | that the Richmond sailed from Gibraltar on the 12th of February for Ville Franche, and that the Wy+ oming arrived at Smyrna on the 30th of January, It is intended that the Saratoga shall leave Wash ington to-morrow for Hampton Roads, After re maining there two or thrve weeks #he will proceed on a cruise to Madeira, the Canaries and Cape de Verde Islands. Cadet Midshipman Albert Gleaves bas been or. dored to the Plymouth, at Boston. A clase of thirty- eight midshipmen has directed to report ro Commodore Tooker, at the Naval Academy, tor ex tQ.RroMotom.