Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-14
Forty-second Congress-Third Session,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1872.
SENATE

SENATE.
Mr.. Anthony was elected president 1yo tenn.
Mr.. ColiaX being absent for a few days
Mr.. Cragjn, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported a substitute for the house bin
10 authorize the construction of six steam YES
sells of war. The substitute authorizes the sec
rotary of the navy to construct ten steam YES
sells Of war, of such class or Glasses as he may
deem most suitable TO the demands Of the ser
vice, each carrying SIX or more guns Of large
calbre, and huls TO be built Of iron or wood, as
he may determine; provided portion of said
vessels shall be built in whole or in part in pri-
waite yards, upon contract with the lowest re-
Sponsihle bidder, under The supervision CT the
navy department; or the hulls of any portion of
said vessels may be built upon private contract
in government yards with government material
Nothing is said as to the appropriation.
The bill constructing steam elevators in the
capitol was introduced.
The Boston relief bill was discussed.
The credentials Of Mr.. Spencer, senator elect
from California, were presented.
Mr.. Morrill, reported the bill for the purchase
of an additional site for the Boston post office,
appropriating half million therefor, which
passed.
Mr. Norton presented tue credentials of Mr..
Spencer, reelected from Alabama.
A resolution of inquiry as to whether the val
uation Of tue sovereign or pound sterling OF
Great Britain at our custom houses in the settle
ment Of accounts between the two countries
under the existing law, corresponds with its in
trinsic value in money of the United States, was
adopted; the committee on finance to report by
bill or otherwise.
Bills were introduced and referred for the
organization Of the territory of Oklahoma and
consolidation of Indian tribes; creating q bureau
of immigration and providing for the comfort
and protection of Immigrants aboard ship aud
after landing.
The Boston relief bill came up and Mr.. Ferry
lal TyrNr nd ~ 4
except lumber from the lists of materials to be
admitted free of duty. This exception had been
made, he said, in the case of Chicago, and he
wished to test the willingness of the senate to
put the cast and west on the same basis in this
matter of relief
Mr.. Wilson said the Portland relief bill did
not except lumber and he thought this one
ought not.
MI. Sumner said the question of putting the
east and west on the same basis did not enter
into this case, because the main reason given for
excepting lumber in the western case was the
fact that the neghboring numbering district in
Michigan had been devastated by fire at the
same time, which reason did not exist in the
case of Boston,
MIR. Edmunds thought all legislation of this
character OF very doubtful propriety; lie eX-
pected, however, to vote for this bill, without
seeing any very good reason why he should do
so; but hoped thatit be made just like the Chi
Cago relief bill.
MIR. Wilson argued against the amendment
and in favor of relief legislation. The Chicago
| bill, he said, had saved the people Of that city
| millions Of dollars; not directly by the draw
back granted, but by keeping down combina-
tons of spectators.
Mr.. Thurman said he was not satisfied of the
conSuutionality OF legislation of this kind, and
moved to refer the bill to the committee on
the judiciary.
After long discussion, the bill was 50 re-
ferrcd; yeas 30, nays 10.
Mr.. Wilson said he hoped the committee on the
judiciary would consider the bill, and report as
soon as possible, because it was very important
that the people of Boston should know what
they have to eXpect.
Mr.. Morton called up the bill TO prescribe the
manner of taking testimony in contested election
cases; passed.
AT 3 40 the senate went into executive session,
and adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
bill was reported from the committee to
examine and pay the claims of several insur-
ance companies for loss of the barque Caldera.
A resolution was adopted calling on the post.
master general for information concerning the
postal cards and the present contract for post.
age stamps.
Several private bills from the committee on
patents were reported.
The house went into committee of the whole
on the private calendar, and considered the bill
to reimburse the college Of William and Mary
to the amount of So, 600, for property destroyed
during the rebellion. An amendment was
offered by MIR. Shanks providing that no
money be paid till the college shall be open ON
equal terms to colored persons was supported
by Mr.. tloar and opposed by Mr.. PerCe chair
man Of the committee on education, as de-
signed to kill the bill, as its adoption would rem
der the college one for colored citizens only
and Mr.. Crutcher, who said there was already
within few miles of William and Mary a col