The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-25
LxIID CONGRESS-. SECOND SESSION,
SENATE.

| WASHINGTON, Jan. PA bill authorizing
the payment of duplicate checks by discussing
officers was passed ,
A bill, making an appropriation to enable the
President effectually to carry out the rules regu-
lating the civil service, was introduced and re-
ferred to the Judiciary.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee on Military
| Affairs reported favorably the bill relating to
appointment of superintendent for the Ma
| tonal Cemeteries.
Mr. Frelinghuysen reported bill appropri-
| ating $780, 600 for civil service reform.
The following resolution was offered by Mr.
| Conklng and adopted:
Resolced, That the President be requested TO
| furnish the Senate the following information;
| The amount of money received and dlsbursed
! by the Government since March 4th, 1869; the
| amount embezzled or appropriated by agents or
| officers with the amount remaining charged
against internal revenue officers; the number or
defaulters and how many have been prosecuted;
statement of criminal prosecutions that nave
been instituted for offences against the internal
revenue laws; the number of officers or agents
receiving pay from the G0vernment III any
branch of the public service who have been dis-
pensed with since March 4th, 1885, and the
amount of aggregate saving thereby; also the
same information with reference to the last ad-
ministration.
Mr. Morton called up tie resolution for the
final adjournment of Congress on the third
Monday in March.
Mr. Sumner opposed it, and called for the
yeas ana nays, ana senate NOltu W eahO ~
up-34 to IT,
Mr.. Morton, by consent, modified the resolu.
ton so as to fix the Doth Of May for the day OF
adjournment.
There were two amendments pending, MI,
Summers providing that Congress shall not ad-
jourp until after it shall have passed the sup
Elementary civil rights bill, and MIR. Schurzs,
providing that it shall not adjourn until after
revision Of the tariff and internal revenue laws
and reform Of the civil service.
Mr. mn osaHt resolution
Messrs. Corbett and Cole favored an early adj
journment, and Mr.. Thurman opposed and Mr.
Morrill,, of Vermont favored the resolution.
MIR. Chandler thought that Congress need not
delay adjournment for tbs sake of civil service
reform.
The expiration of the morning hour brought
up the amnesty bill, which in turn was post
poned for the bill for the relief of Chicago
which, after long debate, was passed without
amendment
After the petitions had been presented and
referred, the National Educational bill was
taken up and Mr. Pierce made speech favor
ing it. He said that as Chairman of the Com
mittee on Education and Labor, he was in cor
respondence with almost every prominent edu-
Gator in the country and they were unanimous
in looking towards the proceeds of the public
lands for the purpose of stimulating and adj
vancing the education of the people. He was
also in correspondence with every prominent
equally unanimous in the same direction. The
laboring men of the country claimed that the
public lands were theirs, from the fact that
four-fifths OF the people were laboring men and
women and that the government was based on
the will of the majority. He represented sim
ply their wishes and their wants. They claim
ed that not only was the land theirs but the
proceeds OF the lands. They demanded such
disposition OF the public lands as would cause
them to inure to their benefit through the edu- |
cation of their children Coming down to the |
details of the bill, he said he did not propose |
to supercede the common school system now |
existing In the States but rather to strengthen
that system.
Mr.. Storm opposed tho bill as unconstitu-
tional. r-f
Mr.. Parker also opposed it. The bill went
over until tomorrow. ....-
Mr.. Butler presented a petition for woman
suffrage
Mr.. Mcintyre argued that the question of
education be left to the States.
Mr.. Shellabarger, Chairman of the Commit
mittee on Commerce, reported resolution d.
rectIng the Committee to inquire, first whether
commerce among the States was injuriously
affected by any inadequacy In the present
means of land transportation or by any combi-
nation or monopoly in the control OF owner
ship thereof, or by any excessive or inadquate
rates of freight or fare charged by common
carriers or by other burdens and restraints i'm
posed by carriers; second, whether commerce
with foreign nations and on the coast and wat
ers OF the United States. or at any point there
OF is subjected to any oppressive or illegal re-
quirements or restraints under the quarantine,
health or other laws customs of any State;
third, whether at any port of the United States,
American seamen or foreign immigrants on ar
irving thereat are subjected to wrongs or de-
predations which require legislation; fourth,
what legislation or other means are required to
relieve revive and sustain tonnage and foreign
commerce of the United States. The Commit
tee or subcommittee to have power to send for
persons and papers and sit at such places at
will be convenient. The resolution which was
reported unanimously, was adopted.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the general civil appropriation bill.
Mr.. Garfield offered an amendment repeal.
ing laws that authorize the publication of all
laws in newspapers.
Mr.. Maynard objected and the amendment
pay for such advertising was then inserted.
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio, moved to insert an APP
OF $40 600 for carrying the branch
mint at Carson City, Nevada. Adopted.
After progressing US far as page thirty of the
bill, the COMMITTEE rose and the House adjourn
ad