The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-15
XLIID CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Il

SENATE.
Mr. Anthony from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported a bill for the relief of certain
officers of the navy, dropped, furloughed or
retired under the act of 1855.
Mr. Edmunds offered resolution congratu-
lating the people of Spain upon the peaceable
establishment of a Republican form of govern
ment, and directing the President to communi-
cate to the Spanish government a copy of the
resolution. Laid over and ordered printed.
Mr.. Cragin introduced three bills for the re-
lief of Secor & Co., of Prince, Secor 8, Co. land
of Zane & Secor.
Mr. Harlan introduced bill to declare inaug-
uration day legal holiday.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to reimburse
Massachusetts for expenditures for coast de-
fences during the war.
Mr.. Anthony offered resolution designed to
expediate the business, remarking that I'M
less some such resolution adopted, an ex-
ira session weald be required in order to pass
bills necessary to carry on the government
Laid over.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported adversely on the House bill
amending the internal revenue law so as to al
low producers of tobacco to sell 800 worth of
tobacco annually to consumers at the place of
production.
ON the part Of the Senate to make the neces-
sary preparations for the Inauguration, Messrs.
Cragin, Logan and Bayard.
The House bill to revise, consolidate and
amend the laws relating to pensions was
amended and passed
One of the amendments limits the compen-
sation of agents and attorneys employed by
applicants for pensions.
At one o'clock the naval appropriation bill
came up as unfinished business.
Mr.. Cragin offered an amendment providing
that officers when promoted shall not draw pay
till specially designated by the President to fill
vacancies, and thai where numbers of a par
ticular grade are not fixed by law, promotions
Ill @nIr
belong is ordered for examination. Agreed to.
Mr. Edmunds offered an amendment author
izing the Supreme Court to allow amendments
either in form or substance in appeals in prize
cases, where it appeors that notice was filed
with the Clerk of Court below, within thirty
days after the rendering of the decision.--
Agreed to.
Mr. Edmunds offered an amendment provid-
ing that no money appropriated by this act
shall be expended on account of vessels or na-
val engines contracted for during the war
Ageeed to-
Mr. Sprague submitted the conference report
on the fertilization appropriation bill, which
was concurred in.
A message was received from tine President,
calling the attention of Congress to the danger
of conflict between the federal authorities
and territorial authorities in Utah.
AT 400 p. m. the Senate went into executive
session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Wood of New York, asked leave to offer
the resolution he proposed yesterday in refer
ence to the Spanish Republic Objected to.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the sundry civil appropriation bill,
which appropriates $27,95S,S27
The consideration of the bill was interrupted
at two o'clock, the bill for the distribution of
the Geneva award coming up as special or
der.
Pending the discussion Mr.. Niblack made
conference report on the fertilization appropria-
ton bill, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Swan also presented the conference re-
port on the consular and diplomatic appropria-
ton bill, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Butler, OF Mass, who reported the Cen
eva award bill from the Judiciary Committee,
opened discussion, explaining the object of
the bill. The first question to be determined
he said was the question as to the ownership
of thesis, SOC, 900. Gen. Butler urged that the
insurance companies should not be considered
the first claimants, since they had Melted ST.
100000 out of war risks The moro meritorious
claims We're: first, these of the citizens whose
property had been destroyed by the cruiser;
second of the officers and crews who lost their
wages, &c.; third, of the owners, &C., whose
insurance was less than their loss. After these
had been paid the underwriters might come in
for pro rata share. He thought that $14,-
000, 600 in currency would pay the losses with
interest
Mr.. Peters offered an amendment making
the interest payable, not from the date of the
Geneva award, as provided in the bill, but
from the date of the loss
Mr.. Poland offered substitute for the whole
bill.
Mr. Potter, of New York, offered an amend
ment recognizing the rights of insurance COM
panies.
Mr.. Monroe offered an amendment extending
the operations of the bill to the damages done
by the Shenandoah before her arrival at Mel
bourne.
Mr.. Eames offered an amendment extending
its operation to damages done by all cruisers or
vessels bearing the Confederate flag.
The previous question was seconded. The
vote on the bill will be taken tomorrow. Ad-
journed.