The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-12-15
BY TELEGRAPH.
XLIID CONGREss..SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14-Mr Frelinghuysen
presented the petition from the Venezuela
STEAMSHIP Co., asking redress for the seizure of
their steamers by the Venezuelans, and said
that the complaint against Venezuela might
yet necesstate severe measures by our govern
ment
MIR. Sumner said he had examined the Ques-
ton and found his own country wrong. The
petitioners ask that gunboats be sent to demand
the release OF three steamers, their officers and
crews which were seized by the revolutionistS,
and also prays for damages Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
BILL TO INCREASE THE NAVY.
Mr.. Scott introduced bill providing that in
addition to the present force of the navy there
be annually received into the service three hun
dred boys between the ages of Is and II years
to service as apprentices until q years, at such
pay as shall be fixed by the President, and at
the end of that time be entitled to examination
for promotion to the grade of seamen; said sea-
men, however not to be in addition to the
whole number allowed by law.
THE COAL ANp. SALT DUTY.
Mr.. Trumbull asked Mr.. Sherman, as chair
man of the Committee on Finance, when the
committee intended to report the House bill re-
peallng the duties on coal and salt
Mr.. Sherman said the committee were ready
to report the bill, with amendments regarding
internal and external taxes as part of the one
great system. He thought it unadvisable to
take up the tariff question separately from the
question Of internal taxation, and they were
waiting for the House to develop somewhat
further the course it intends to pursue on the
question of taxation.
Mr.. Trumbull gave notice that tomorrow he
would move to discharge the Committee of
Finance from further consideration of the
House bill.
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW
On motion of Mr. Wilson the Senate took up
the House bill to equalize the pay of working
men under the eight hour law.
MIR. Trumbulps amendment repeating the
law was also read.
Mr.. Trumbull said no one could be more in
favor of rewarding and elevating labor than he,
but this law never had any such effect 1t had
done the working men no good whatever, but
on the contrary, had done great harm by excit-
ing unpleasant feelings between those employ
ed by the government and working only eight
hours and those working outside ten hours
He thought it would be better for the working
men and the country to repeal the law.
Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, favored the repeal of
the law. 1t was preposterous to enact such q
law and degrading to the workingmen.
Mr.. Wilson asked Mr.. Trumbull to with
draw his amendment SO as not to embarrass the
original bill.
Mr.. Trumbull withdrew the amendment
Mr.. Ferry of Connecticut, reviewed it. He
said he could not vote for the House bill be-
cause it would give the eight hour law con-
struction contrary to that intended by the
trainers of the law and erroneous in itself He.
remembered that when the eight hour bill was
under discussion, its advocates distinctly stated
that it was not designed to secure men ten
hours pay for eight hours work
MIR. Thurman-Then what advantage would
it be workingmen?
Mr.. Ferry--Its advocates claimed that the
wOrkingmen would have more time for culture
n QvCf TI,a Co.
red to the Committee of Finance.
THE RETRENcHMRNr COMMITTEES,
The Senate resumed consideration of Mr.. An
thongs resolution to create Committee on
Retrenchmentw with Mr.. Trumbulf amendment,
authorizing it during recess and send for per-
sons and papers.
Mr.. Wilson warned his Republican friends
that they were placing their party in a false
position before the country. Already there
were millions throughout the country who be-
heved an attempt had been made to shield the
administration, and the party has control of it.
He, OF course, did not believe it true, but it
was very important to appear right as we'll as
to do right In 1866 a Committee on Retrench-
ment was organized, and during the four years
of its existence it righted great many wrongs,
but there still remains work for ii to do. He
had no sympathy with those who desired to as
sail or embarrass the. administration. The
Senate was itself part of the government and
responsible with the President for its successful
administration, and the best friends of both
are those most vigilant in seeking out abuses
and the most active in takingmeasures for their
correction. He was in favor of both the propo-
sitions. He thought it unwise for the Republic
cans of the Senate to oppose the fullest investi-
CATION There were Republican thieves as well
as Democratic thieves. The Republican thief
was far the more hateful of the two to him be-
cause he brought disgrace upon the Republican
party, but notwithstanding the defects of the
present administration it is far purer and more
efficient than most of its predecessors. No pre-
vious administration has been so prompt in pun
ishing delinquincies among its officers. The
administration was making progress in the
right direction, and much moro is needed. Mr.
Wilson continued to urge both Mr.. Anthony's
and Mr.. Trumbulls measure
Mr. Patterson favored Mr.. Trumbulp s resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Schurz again urged it and claimed to be
an earnest Republican, ~
Mr.. Upton took the same ground, denouns-
ing the President as the intellectual colossus of
the White House. 4.
Mr.. Trumbulps amendment was rejected, "a
to 3d. The following Republicans voted for it:
Messrs. Alcorn, Fenton, Hogan, Patterson
Robertson, Schurz, Sumner, Upton, Trlmbull,
West and Wilson. The original resolution was
then adopted.
Mr.. Trumbull then moved to instruct the
cammittee, provided for in the resolution Just
adopted to enquire into all subjects enumerated
in his rejected amendments and made few re-
marks. He denied that he had done or pro-
posed or said anything hostile to the admins
tration or to the Republican party. HEY as
founded at the ground taken by certain Sena-
tors in this debate
After desultory speech-making the Senate
went into executive session.
The denomination of George IA, williams to
be Attorney General Of the United States was
taken up and unanimously confirmed without
reference to a committee.
Adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
A resolution was adopted that the Secretary
of the Treasury furnish all custom house ex-
penses for the year ending June Both last.
PASSAGE OF THE AProRTIoNMRNT BILL.
The apportonmept bill was considered by the
committee of the whole.
Various propositions were made and discuss
ed, principally turning on the number of repre-
sentatives of which the House should be com,
posed. The number was eventually fixed at
2S3.
On motion of Mr.. Garfield Of Ohio, an amend
ment was also adopted, on motion of Mr.. Pot
ter, OF New York, providing that no new State
hereafter be admitted having less population
than the number fixed as the ratio of represen-
ton Finally the committee rose and reported
the bill. ass
Mr. Niblack (dem.) of Indiana, moved to lay
the bill on the table. Negatived-yeas 60, nays
145.
Mr. Farnsworth Of illinois, moved to strike
out Mr.. Potter's amendment. Negatived-S7 to
lit.
The bill was then passed without division. 1t
provides that the House consist of 2S3. Ad-
journed.