The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-02-20
XLIID CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10

ASHINGTON, rep. IL.
The House bill removing the disabilities of
ex-Gov. Smith of Va, was passed.
Senator Stewart from the Committee on
Public Lands reported with amendments the
House bill prescribing general provisions un-
der which perrons may incorporate themselves
as Railroad Companies in the territories, and
have the right of way for their roads over pub
lie lands.
Mr.. Corbett, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported without amendment the
House bill authorizing negotiations with the
Creek Indians for cession of a part of their
reservation.
Mr., Stewart, from the Committee on the Pa
citic Railroad, reported with amendments the
bill supplemental to the act Incorporating the
Texas and Pacific Railroad Co.
Mr. Anthony called attention to the necessity
of making some decision in regard to the con-
tract for the publication of the debates of Con-
gress as the existing contract expires on the
4th of March, and he intimated he would ask
the Senate to consider the subject tomorrow
Mr.. Blair moved to take up the conference
report on the steamboat bill, made at the last
session, and after some discussion the motion
was withdrawn till tomorrow.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen gave notice he would ask
the Senate tomorrow to take up the bill re-
ported from the Judiciary Committee, relating
to Utah affairs.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported without amendment the House
bill providing That upon all importations of sug-
at, IuOldSSeS, pig iron anu railroad iron, the
amount of bond required shall only be in
penal sum of double the amount of duties on
such articles, and that upon all other snch i'm
portations it shall be in a penal sum equal to
the invoice value of merchandise imported with
the duties added.
President to appoint three commissioners to re-
wise the bankrupt law and report amendments
thereto Referred to the Judiciary Committee
On motion of ldr. Trumbull the Indiana
OHIO and Illinois two per cent. bill was taken
up by vote of % to 81, and debated at length
by Messrs. Thurman, Trnmbull, Pratt and Lo-
gan, supporting, and Messrs. Frelinghuysen
and Ednunds opposing it. No action.
Mr., Casserly entered motion to reconsider
the vote passing the Asatic Cable Telegraph
bill.
After an executive session the Senate ad-
journed. .--.-
The House went into Committee of the
Whole, and resumed the consideration of the
sundry civil appropriation bill.
Without disposing of the bill the Committee
rose on the motion of Mr.. Garfield, because he
stated this was the best day of the session on
which proceedings could be carried on without
being subject to motions to suspend the rules,
and he wished fair opportunity to be given to
the gentleman from Ohio (Beatte) who had
charge of the bill, to give the reporting and
publishing of debates to VIM. j. Murtagh.
Mr.. Beattie again moved the previous ques-
ton on the bill. The previous question was
seconded-S2 to 43.
Mr.. Blair, of Michigan, moved to lay the bill
on the table. Negatived-yeas 81, nays 1O6.
The vote was almost strictly party one. The
bill was passed without division.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
bills reported from the Committee on Military
Affairs. The following bills were passed: To
provide for the inspection of distributions of
appropriations made by army officers; to ex-
tend for one year, till Feb. 1, 1874 the time for
filing claims for the additional bounty under
the act of July %, 1866 to provide for printing
at the government printing office OF 1000 copies
of the descriptive anatomical catalogue of the
Army Medical Museum; to provide for head
stones in the national military cemeteries.
Mr.. Coburn of Ind, reported bill declara-
tory of the meaning of the I'd section OF the
act of July II, 1870, in regard to the time at
which commissions issued to officers during the
late war, who were prisoners of war, etc., shall
take effect.
This bill gave rise to considerable discussion
and opposition, it being stated in the course OF
the debate that it would invalidate the army
record and take 500, 900 900 out of the Treasury
The House refused to second the previous
question. The bill was recommitted.
Mr. Coburn also reported q bill to provide
that no person shall be promoted in the army
who is addicted to the incorporate use OF in
toxicatng liquors or drugs. ~ -
Mr.. Dodds, of Ohio, wanted to know if that
rule had been in force during the war what
would have become of the President.
I Mr.. Coburn of Indiana replied that it would
not have applied to him at all 1t applied only
to dT9nkards, and he asked eno what gentleman
Mr.. Hay, of Illinois, said he dared to vote
against it in the committee and would vote
against in the House.
Mr. Farnsworth, of Illinois, moved to strike
out the word ''intemperate" so that the act
should apply to those addicted to the use of in
toxcating liquors. ~
Mr.. Stevenson, of Ohio, remarked that if the
soldiers were all teerolalers there would be no
fighters Naughter.) ALl ~
w. r. Roberts, of New York, suggested that
it be made to include members of Congress-
(Laughter.)
Mr.. Farnsworth's amendment was rejected
and the bill was passed
EVENING SESSION. -.
The proceedings were confined exclusively TO
the bills reported from the Committee ON M:li.
tary Affairs, none of which were of public
character.
At 11.3O o'clock the House was engaged in
the improbable work of attempting to oct q
quorum by the call of the House.