The Portland daily press., 1874-06-23
Geneva award bill. Rejected, yeas IA, nays

81.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Morrill, of Me-,
and Hamilton of Md, members of the Joint
committee on the part of the Senate to frame a
oil Tor permanent government for the Dis
trlct OF Columbia under section of the bill to
provide a temporary government for the Dis
trict, passed on Friday
On motion of Mr.. Davis of W. Va, the
post route bill was laid aside informally to pro-
ceed with the consideration of the conference
report on the postofice appropriation bill.
ME- West presented the report.
Mr.. Sherman regretted that the committee
Lad reduced the rate of postage on newspapers
to IL cents per pound, and cents on period
lcais, when Congress was looking around for
every Source of revenue.
message was received from the House an
nouncihg non-cOncurrence in amendments of
the senate on the tariff, and asking a confer
ence; Agreed to, and Messrs. Morrill, of Vt,
ard bayard were appointed as sucn commit
tee.
MT. sherman, resuming his remarks on the
conference report, said he believed uniform
rate OF three cents per pound would yield a
good revenue. This report fixed the rate of
postage on public documents sent out by mem
Ders OF Congress at 10 cents per pound, a larger
sum than charged on newspapers He did not
see why such distinction was made
MI; west said the postage on bound volumes
was nxed at 10 cents per pound, but unbound
documents went at the same rate as periodicals.
Prepayment of postage was desired, ana to Sc
reduced,
After further discussion the report was re-
Jecteo, yeas Is, nays q, and new committee
was ordered.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen presented the report of
conference committee on the Geneva award
bill, and pending the question whether the
Senate could proceed to the consideration of
the same, the Chair appointed as a conference
committee on the postotice appropriation bill
MeSSfS. Window, Allison and Davis
Inc Senate at 40 took a recess till half-past
seven;
Evening Session.
The House bill authorizing the President to
appoint George Henry Preble, now captain in
the active list OF the navy, to be Commodore
was passed.
A message received from the House an
nouncing the non-concurrence in the amend
ments to the sundry civil appropriation bill
and asking committee of conference was
agreed to.
Messrs Morrill, of Maine, Sargent and Stew
enson were appointed conterees
n. Mr.. Carpenter, from the committee on count
ing out expenses, reported adversely on the
resolution directing the committee to inquire
into the eXpedeney of excluding from the
stationery law of the Senate, all articles except
paper, envelopes, ink and pens and the COM
mittee was discharged from further consdera
ton.
He also reported from the Judiciary Com
mitlco ADVERSELY Oh TtSOluGlOQ ulrecUl0G MIN TO
inquire If the police court at Washington is a
constitutional court Discharged.
Mr. Frelinghuysen called up the conference
report on the Geneva Award bill.
The bill was explained by Mr.. Freinghuysen.
Mr.. Thurman opposed the report, and charged
its language ambiguous. Another objection lie
had was that the clause submitted by his coll
leagues, providing all claims be adjusted and
paid on the basis of United States gold coin at
the time of the loss,iwas stricken out by the
Conference Committee. -a-s -
Mr.. Edmunds said the bill as perfected by
the conference committee left the court free to
make the award, and that the court could de-
termine whether the claimant be paid sum in
greenbacks equal to his loss or whether he be
paid in coin.
Mr.. Anthony moved the Senate to concur in
the resolution of the House to print 1000 copies
of the reports of the United States commission
to the Vienna exposition.
Mr.. Morton said the Geneva award bill set
tied nothing. The payment of the claims au-
thorized will not take over half the award and
he predicted that the insurance companies who
will be back here next winter VIII get the
rest. - .
After further discussion the conference re-
port was agreed to, SO to IS.
Mr.. Sherman from the committee on the
tariff BILL made report which was agreed to.
The joint resolution of the House extending
the session of the pre- sent Congress till o'clock
Tuesday, the 23d, was agreed to-
Mr. Chandler from The conference commit
tee on the river and harbor appropriation bill
made report.
Mr. Davis enquired if the report made any
changes in the surveys ordered by tbs Trans
pOrtation Committee.
Mr.. Chandler replied in the negative.
Schurz said he had high respect for army
engineers, but did not believe all tie engineer
ing skill in the country was buttoned up in
blue and brass.
Mr. Bogy said there was but on member
from the West on the Conference Committee,
and he hoped new one would be adopted on
which he requested the presiding officer to APP
point some Western Senators.
After further discussion the report was re-
committed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio reported back the Sem
ate amendments to the snndry civil appropria-
ton bill. They were 124 in number, and in
creased the bill as passed by the House 81 ,OOO,-
000 The most important of the amendments
are provision that the number of copies of the
reports OF the departments annually printed be
limited to the needs OF Congress, and shall con-
tain no expensive maps or illustrations without
special order of Congress. Concurred in. To
increase the salaries of the Assistant Secretary
OF the Treasury, Solicitor of the Treasury and
commissioners of Customs to 50, 500. Non con-
Cured in. Appropriating 1884,, 304 for new life
saving stations on the sea and lake coasts.
Concurred in. Appropriatng $4,000 for an
engine and machinery to destroy, by macera-
ton, cancelled bank notes instead of by burn
ing (the present system). Concurred in.
the legislative day of Saturday the House
adjourned within minute of II O'clock and at
ii o'clock to-day's session commenced.
Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts presented tie
conference report on the Geneva Award bill
The House agrees to the Senate bill with GER
tain notifications. There are two new sections
as to documentary evidence, and as to the al
lowance of counsel and attorneys fees of
claimants, which allowance is to be made
part of the Judgment and there is a substitute
for the fifth section, providing for the appoint
ment of couuselor-at-law to represent the
United States in the suits provided for in the
bill. Mr. Butler briefly explained the report.
The committee agreed, he said, to the pay
ment of uninsured losses by vessels, for which
the Geneva Award held Great Britain liable.
1t agreed to the Seuate BILL so far as the latter
did not allow to insurers or underwriters pay
ments, except where on stating an account of