The Portland daily press., 1874-02-05
Forty Third Congress- First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. Feb 4.
Mr.. Fenton presented petition of the bust
ness men for the speedy retnIn to specie pay
ment and deprecating any further issue of le-
gal tender notes. Referred to the Finance
Committee,
MIR. Sumner presented petitions against the
extension OF any sewing machine patent. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Patents
Mr.. Morrill, of Vt, offered a resolution au-
thorizing an investigation as to defective il
Illuminating gas in the District of Columbia
and to send for persons and papers, Agreed
toiM wo.4 ;n,uo,noos = .o
Me Sis. Ray and Mcmillan of Louisiana, full
compensation as Senators of the United States
from the time they were elected to March Sd,
1873 Referred to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections.
The bill reported from the Finance Commit
tee, to secare the equalization of the national
bank circulation was taken up, but pending its
discussion the morning hour expired and the
bill went over.
Mr.. Sargent from the Committee on Nava
Affairs, reported with amendmtnts the bill to
encourage the establishment of marine schools
As amended by the committee, it provides
that in order to promote nautical education
and to educate officers and seamen for the
merchant and naval marine in scientific and
practical navigation, and in the arts, trades
and occupations pertaining to seamanship, the
Secretary of the Navy shall be empowered to
supply upon the written appropriation of the
Governor of a State or the authorities Of the
cities of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Bal
timore and San Francisco suitable vessel,
together with charts, books and Instruments (if
the same can be conveniently spared from the
public service) to be used in the establishment
of public schools in each of the above named
ports, and the ships and material so furnished,
may be loaned to said cities or States in which
they are organized, on condition that said
States or cities establish at their own expense a
nautical school for the education of youths de-
srous of entering the merchant or naval ma
rne or if already in the service of improving
their nautical education. The President of the
United.States may detail naval officers to act
as superintendents or instructors of the Sc
schools
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
bankrupt BILL the pending amendment being
that of Mr.. Oglesby, TO strike out the " ords
not resume the payment Of his commercial pa
per within the period of forty days, so that
persons of that class should not be considered
bankrupts, After long discussion, the
amendment was rejected, "a to IS.
Dir Sherman moved an amendment, limiting
the operations of the 39th section of the origi-
nal law as amended and reported by the Com
mttee to persons owing over $4,000. He ar
gued that in small cases. creditors got little or
nothing, and unnecessary penalties were in
flicted on the debtor If that amendment
should not he adopted he would submit an
which person having stopped or suspended
and not resumed payment OF his commercial
paper should not be forced into bankruptcy to
ninety days.
Mr.. Thurman opposed the amendment
though he thought a matter OF little lmpor
lance as there had been very few cases where
indebtedness did not exceed 5000 He gave
notice that at the proper time he would offer
an amendment to the original law. providing
TOR proving of accounts before justice OF the
peace or notary public, instead OF before reg
lister in bankruptcy or U. 5. commissioner.
Peuding the discussion of Sberman's amend
ment, the Senate at 435 adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House took up the resolution o. the
Election Committee declaring Asa Hodges en-
titled (prima facie) to seat as Representative
OF the First Congressional District OF Arkan
sas The resolution was adopted without de
bate, aad Mr. Hodges took the modified oath
as a .member
Mr.. Houghton of California, from the Pacific
| Railroad Committee reported bill to incor-
porate the Southern Trans Continental Railroad
Company. Referred to the Committee OF the
| Whole.
Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio, from the Committee
on War Claims, reported a bill extending to the
I'd of March, 1875, the time within which petit
| tons for the allowance of claims may be pre-
sented to the Commissioner of Claims in all
cases where sufficient reason or reasons are
| shown for failure to present the same within
the time prescribed by law, and barring all
claims not presented. before the Sd of March,
Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Negley of Pennsylvania, from the Com
| mittee on Commerce, reported a bill to amend
I the act of the 2Sth of February, 1871, for the
better protection of the lives of steamship pas
sengers. Referred to the Committee of the
| Whole.
MI Townsend of Pennsylvania, from thu
| Committee on Public Lands, reported bill tC
| secure homesteads to actual settlers on the pub
! lie domain. Referred to the Committee of TIT
Whole.