The Portland daily press., 1874-02-21
Forty Third Congress First Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 20
Communications relative to the preservation
of timber lands were read
Petitions against the restoration of duty on
tea and coffee were received.
Several other petitions were presented, in
Guiding one from the Massachusetts Medical
Association, for the repeal of the act relating
to the army medical corps.
Mr.. Sherman made lengthy statement to
the effect that in the bill relative to duties on
fruit plants, etc., it passed the Senate cor
rectly, but YVES made to read fruits, plants
etc." when it reached the House.
After discussion by Messrs Conkling, Sum-
ner and Anthony. the subject was dropped.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported favorably on the bill for the
relief of certain naval officers retired under the
act of February 18th, 1855. Placed on the cal
endar
He also reported favorably on the resolution
to print 1900 extra copies of the annual report
of the Smithsonian Institute. Laid over after
some discussion.
Mr. Chandler introduced a joint resolution
releasing members of the Military Court which
tried Fitz John Porter, from the obligations Of
the oath they took as members of the court not
to disclose the vote or opinion of any member
thereof, and asked present consideration.
Mr. Ferry of Conn.,, objected.
1t up tomorrow.
Mr.. Sprague introduced bill to protect the
timber lands on the government reservations
1t provides for enforcing the laws on the sub
Ject already in existence. Referred to Com
mittee on Public Lands
- Mr. Conkling introduced bill amendatory of
Ine act to enforce the rights of citizens of the
united States to vote in the several States Re-
terrei TO the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. sumner introduced resolution instruct
| ing the Committee on Enrolled Bills to inquire
| into the expediescy of superceding the present
| system OF parchmspt in the last stage of bill,
| ana provide that whNp it he presented to the
PRESIDENT for approval't shall be printed and
| Adopted
MI Flanagan submitted alesolutioo instruct
| ing the Secretary of the Treast-v to renort tn
the Senate the number of illiet distilieries
suppressed by officers of the government for
cty ' tbers sx months and the prodacs Oapa
Ine morning hour expired and the Senate
resumed the consideration of the financial bis
the pendlpg question being to reconsider the
vote OF yesterday by which the substitute of
ME- cooper was adopte.
Mr.. Merrimon spoke in favor of the increased
| amount of currencv.
Mr.; Conkling said that the instructions pro-
posed by the gentleman from Tennessee Coop
err amounted to nothing, being for either con-
traction or expansion, depending entirely upon
what shall become of the United States aotes
| in the end, and in that respect the Instructions
were wholly SILENT He favored the whole
subject being recommitted without any in
|
| the best bill they could.
Mr.. Cameron said the country needed help.
| The panic was not over. No doubt in New
York there was plenty of money in the hands
of the money changers, but in the country
among business men, farmers and men VIII,
toiled TOR their living, it was scarce. If this
| Congress adjourned wi bout perfectiug some
measure OF relief, the distress to follow woul,
be greater than that of last autumn,
MT. Logan presented a petition signed by
1O9O business men of Chicago, for an increase
in the volume OF paper currency. He said i
represented all classes except the large bankers
and none OF them had signed it. Referred tt
Committee on Finance.
Mr. Morrlll OF Maine, said that day after da,,
ana week after week, gentlemen here had airet
other business, re-terating and re-stating thei
theories. He had listened to this debate til
his nran had become so muddled he had praye'
10 heaven TO have some relief. daughter.
| Az inc end OF two months, after all this DIVER
SHY OF opinion, the Senate must see that moth
ing couid De reached here, and therefore the
macter should be sent back to the committee
Whicn could form same neuclus at least tor TN
Senate 10 act upon. He was opposed to an.
instructions to the committee, aud thought II
tney oe ie1t untrammelled they would report !
measure 1ar more satisfactory to the wnol
country. He appealed to the Senate to ceas'
.nis struggle on the question OF finances an
let the committee have the bill.
MI. Gordon said he did not believe the sen
ate had been lahoring in vain. The senate
from Maine (MorrilD thought it would be NOR
satisfactory to trust the whole subject 10 Tn
committee. No doubt he thought SO; 1oul
! ffths of the committee being of his way Q
thinking. There were but two members OF I'd