Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-03
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.
SENATE. Mr.. Howe, on leave. addressed the
Senate In support of the bill recently intro
duced by him to more effectually preserve the
neutral relations of the United States
The bill was discussed at some length with
out afiording any understanding upon the
subject, and the Senate at 5.l5 p. M. adj
journed.
House. Mr.. Davis, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the bill to establish
uniform system of naturalization. Recon-
mitted.
Mr.. Clark of Kansas, presented memorial
of the Kansas Legislature, in favor of the add
Justment of apportionment of representation
in the several States also a concurrent reso-
luton of the Kansas Legislature in favor of
removal of the National Capitol to Fort
Leavenworth Military Reservation, and in
structng the Senators and Representatives to
vote against the additional appropriation for
public buildings in Washington.
Petitions were presented for the abolition Of
the franking privileges against an increase of
duty on steel, and from ship-builders in
Noank and Mystic, Conn, for legislation in
aid of the commercial and ship building inter-
ests.
Mr.. Banks of Mass, asked the Chairman of
the Committee on Appropriations, to state
whether that Committee had considered any
measures>tor the relief of the large number of
mechanics discharged from the Navy Yards
in various parts of the country.
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, replied that bill for
that purpose was before the committee, and
would probably be reported tomorrow morn
ing
After conference with the Navy Depart
ment, the House went into a Committee of the
Whole, and took up the Senate bill appro-
priating 200 for the poor of the District
of Columbia, and allowing $4,000 worth of
condemned army clothing to be distributed;
and assigning the store-houses in judiciary
Square to the Womens' Christian Association,
TO give employment to INDECENT women.
The bill gave rise to considerable discus
sion, Messrs Cook of Illinois, Maynard of
Tennessee, and Ingersoll of Illinois, explain
ing and advocating it.
Messrs. Swan Of Indiana and Lawrence of
Ohio, took the ground that the people of
the District should maintain their own poor
and Mr.. Logan of Illinois, arguing that the
proper mode of relief was not to appropriate
money to be used perhaps for election pur-
poses, but to authorize the Seci etary of War
to issue daily rations to the poor
Mr.. Logan offered an amendment to carry
out his views, and in the course of his re-
marks said that if the aristocratic people of
w aSmngton would devote to charitable pur-
poses the money spent in fashionable recep-
tons and personal ornaments, they would not
need to ask Congress to maintain their poor.
Messrs. Benjamin of Mo-, and Lawrence of
Ohio, offered amendments to authorize the
municipal authorities of Washington and
Georgetown to levy tax for the support of
their poor; and Mr.. Slocum of New York
offered an amendment to give $50 900 to those
poor persons recently deprived of employment
in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The debate was continued at considerable
length, it being charged that some of the par
ties to be benefited under this bill were able
bodied persons, and always on hand in the
galleries of the Capitol and in political torch
light professions.
Mr.. Ella of n. H., closed the discussion by
appeals in behalf of the poor of the District
of Columbia, and then the committee proceed
ed to vote on the amendments.
Mr.. Slocum's amendment was rejected
~ TO "a.
Mr.. Lawrences's amendment was rejected
ca to 76.
Mr.. Logans amendment for the issuing of
rations by the War Department, leaving the
other portions of the bill for clothing, &C., as
in the original, was agreed tot to SO.
The committee then rose, and the House,
without disposing finally of the bill, at APO
adjourned.