Mr. MORRILL. It is simply to resume the functions with which we began. It never was designed that the j nrisdiction over this District, which was exclusive in Congress, should be conferred on 3 small corporations. congress never will respect its dignity and its character, nor begin to perform its duty until it exercises the jurisiction which was exclusively conferred upon it over this District. I should like to know of the honorable Senfrom Indiana, if he has looked at this subject at all, how he undertakes to account to the American people for the outrageous abuses which have characterized the gavernment of this District in the last 15 or 20 ears, patent to everybody; and by what aut orit the trust which the American people conferre upon Congress has been delegate in this way, or abused in this way, or neglected, if you please. Sir, these are some of the topics to which I propose to address myself as a matter of conscience when the bill comes a The question of conscience of which I spo e was simply the question of taking it up. The question involved in the bill is a matter of most serious consideration and of very great importance. There is nothing so frightful in its volume as that it ought to intimidate anybod. It is simpl a proposition to divest these uuctionaries olytheir functions, and confer them upon men of our own appointment. There is nota single section or line of legislation in it beyond that. I do not propose to alter the law in any respect whatever except simply to take these functions out of the hands of the men who are now exercising them, and to confer them upon persons of our own selection. Now, sir, the request that I make I do not think is an unreasonable one. The business of the DistCol has not occupied much time here. But a single half day before this, and not half of this day, have I had the good fortune to'occupy, have we had during the 6 months that we have been in session. I want the bill now to be taken up and read, and then I hope at no distant day to get an opportunity to a dress myself to the Senate upon the subject of the bill. Having had that hearing, if the Senate conclude that it is too late, or they cannot act upon the bill, very well; but I insist upon it that the Senate ought to allow the bill to come u and be read. We have time enough to do t at. I shall not require more than 2/3rds of the Senate to remain unless they choose to do so.