The Portland daily press., 1874-02-26
Forty Third Congress First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.
Mr.. Anthony offered resolution which was
passed that the Committee on Public Buildings
inquire into the expediencv of erecting in the
city of Washington the naval monument now
constructing BY franklin Simmons.
The bill providing for an alcoholic commits
mission was taken up.
Mr.. Schurz tho ght the passage CT the bill
would establish PRECEDENT for Congressional
interference in matters belonging exclusively tie
the States.
Mr.. Schurz said that many other evils af-
fecting society need be inqu red into. Gamb-
ling was worse than intemperance. The ex-
eravagance of the female sex in matters of
dress was great evil and had ruined many
families. How mauy clerks had been induced
to rob THAR employers. or bank officers to be-
come defaulters in order to satisfy the love for
dress. Indigestion made a ma d sour and uu-
sociable, and Congress might inquire into the
cause of this, or go on with the inquiries until
it should be found out what effects the cou-
sumption of hot so had upon society," and es-
tablish bureau OF health and public morals.
He did not desire to be understood as trif1ng
with the tempera nee principle. To a certain
extent he was temperance man and nothing
was more disgusting to him than a drunken
man, unless it be drunken woman. Nothing
could be more loathsome than a hun an being
degrading himself to the level of beast. He
thought the movement of which this bill
formed part, was ulisdirected zeal, and the
gentlemen favoring it were taking hold of the
wrong end of the subject. Human nature was
so constituted that it needed relaxation and
could not be put down. The severest remedy
vas not the forcible suppression of any indul
gence, not morally wrong, when used moder-
asey but the substitution of better pleasures
for bad ones. He believed if social enjoyments
we've introduced among the people wholesome
social reform would be achieved and lasting
benefit be conferred upon society," He doubted
the propriety of the legislation proposed by
this bill. and would therefore vote against it,
Mr.. Buckingham said he favored the passage
of the bill. The subject had agitat ed the mind
Of philanthropic people for years, and every eff
fort had been made to stop the sale and traffic
in liquors. The evil effects of this traffic had
heen felt in nearly every family throughout the
land.
The morning. hour expired and the Chair an
nounced that the bill would be laid over.
Mr.. Cameran gave notice he would to-mor-
row call up the House dill in relation to the
Centennial Exhibition.
Mr.. Sargent said the centennial bill might
involve large appropriations before the Senate
should get thras&h with it,. and he therefore
would oppose its consideration before the reg
ular appropriation bills
.Mr. sumner suggested to the Senator from
fennsyivania that he let his centennial bill
take IT'S cnance among other bills, after the f.
nancial is disposed of.
its chance, not knowing when the financial
question Will be ended. daughter
Ine Stnate resumed the consideration of the
bill to eqnalize the distribution of the currency
the pending motion being that of Mr.. Buck
ingham to recOmmit the bill to the Finance
Committee, with the instructions agreed upon,
directing the Committee to report in favor of
increasing the volume of national bank cur
rency to $400,000,OOO.
A long debate followed during which several
Senators re-tod their oft told story, but nothing
startling or new was uttered Mr.. Sherman,
however.made good speech on the redemption
of government paper
After personal passage between Messrs
Schurz aud Morton, during which both were
called to order, and at the close of which both
proclaimed their mutual regard, the question
went over.
The chair laid before the Senate a message
from the President in regard to the centennial
exhibition. Ordered printed and laid on the
table.
Mr.. Cameron said he thought the message
an opportune one and to the point He there
fore withdrew his motion for an executive SEES
sion and moved the House bill in relation tn
the centennial be taken up. The motion was
rejected
Mr. Chandler renewed his motion for an ex-
ecutive session which was agreed to-. After a
| short ii me the doors were re-Opened and abe
| Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
| The bill retaining Rear Adm. Sanderson on
! the active list was reported adversely upon by
the Naval Committee and laid on the table.
| A bill restoring VIM. Klbourne to ensign
| ship in the navy was passed.
The bill authorizing the removal of the pow.
der magazine at Norfolk was passed.
| Reports from the navy yard at Port Royal,
S. c., increasing the facilities of the Washing
tor yard and enabling the President to revoke
the acceptance of the resignation of Paymaster
Geo. Plunkett were rend and laid on the table
Mr.. Ortiz OF Ind, from the Committee on
| Foreign Affairs, reported a bill for the issuing
/ and recording of commissions to postmasters
appointed by the President with the consent Of
the Senate. The object was to transfer that
duty from the State Department to the Post
Office Department. Passed. Also bill to
provide for more complete organization OF
GERS, a Third Assistant Secretary of State and