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Show DEBATE ON THE EDMUNDS BILL. Washington dispatch of the 13th gives the following synopsis of the debate on the Edmunds bill. In its afternoon session, to-day, the House took on the Senate bill to punish polygamy, on which, on the 8th? of March, the point of order had been made by Converse, of Ohio, that it must receive its first consideration in ?? of the whole, as it provided for so appropriation. Converse called attention to the fact that the bill provided for the appointment of five commissioners at a salary of $3,000 each and cited precedents in support of his point. Haskell contended that the precedents cited were not applicable. There was not a line in the bill which required an appropriation from the public treasury or attached any liability to Government for paying these commissioners. It merely proposed to supersede the election system in Utah, and Territorial laws provided that every election officer should be allowed fair compensation. These commissioners, therefore, would be paid out of the Territorial fund. They would not be federal officers in any sense. Springer asked Haskell who was to pay these commissions. Haskel replied, the Legislative Assembly would provide their pay. Springer - But there is no provision for their payment, and they cannot look to the United States for payment until they are adopted as federal officers. The Speaker asked if the point of order was to the provision in the bill abolishing the Legislative Assembly. Springer - The Legislative Assembly has adjourned without day?, and there is no provision that there shall be no Legislative Assembly under the provisions of this bill. Robinson contended that the officers provided for would, according to every expectation of law, be paid out of the same fund and same treasury as the officers places they would fill, and whose duties they would perform. Carlisle - Who pays the salaries of the Governor and Secretary of the Territory? Robinson - That has nothing to do with it. Carlisle - Who pays the salaries of the election officers in the bill? Robinson - They are not appointed, but when we pass this bill we, as the Legislature of that Territory, will appoint, and acting as that Legislature, will make their charge on the Legislature. Townsend, of Illinois, denied that the Democratic side fought the anti-polygamy bill under cover. He did not know a single member who was not ready to demonstrate his opposition to polygamy. He appealed to his Democratic friends to authorize a withdrawal of the order of the gentlemen on the other side, which would allow a full and free discussion and an opportunity to amend the bill. There were some doubt as to its wisdom. He was ready to vote for it as a step in the right direction. Springer, in supporting the point of order, declared that the object of the Democratic side was not directly to oppose the bill, but consider it as other bills were considered, under the rules of the House, and it would then be found that the Democrats would be as ready as Republicans to pass stringent measures. Randall asked that reasonable time, about two hours, be allowed for discussion, and the bill be opened for amendment, but he was interrupted by cries of "regular order" from the Republican side, which was repeated from the Democratic side, when Haskel attempted to state the reason which compelled him to ask for the immediate passage of the bill. A motion to adjourn having been defeated, Robinson withdrew his motion for a call of the House. An attempt was then made to arrive at some compromise, but the Democrats insisted upon being permitted to offer amendments and Haskel stated his determination to have the bill passed without amendments, knowing as he did, the enemies of the bill had been lurking around the lobbies, begging for an opportunity to have amendments adopted. No satisfactory arrangement having been arrived at, Springer moved to refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee - yeas 74, nays 96. Then followed another ?? on the motion to adjourn, which was again defeated. Cassidy, of Nevada, was the only Democrat who voted with the Republicans on this as on every motion. The question recurred on seconding the demand for this previous question and no quorum voted. A call of the House was ordered, but on motion of Haskel, further proceedings of calling were dispensed with and the House took a recess until 11:00 a.m., to-morrow, when the bill will retain its present position. |