The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-22
forty Third Congressional Session.
SENATE.


Numerous petitions were presented from
TEN perance organizations, ministers and others
in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont and
other states, asking Congress to prohibit the
manufacture and sale of al alcoholic liquors
in the District of Columbia. Referred to the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported a bin to provide for the resump-
ton of specie payments. Read twice and
placed on the calendar. He gave notice that
he would call it up tomorrow after the eXpra-
ton Of the morning hour, if possible.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on Print
ing reported favorably On the resolution to
print 500 extra copies Of the report of the Lii
brarian of Congress. Passed.
The provisions of the bill providing for the
resumption of specie payments, were covered
and correctly foreshadowed by the despatch
last night. at
Mi Washburn of Mass, introduced bill for
the construction of a fire alarm telegraph in
the District of Columbia. Referred.
Mr. Morton gave notice that on the first day
after the recess he would ask the Senate to
proceed with the consideration of the proposed
amendments to the constitution OF the United
States in regard to the election of the Presi-
dent and Vice President, reported by the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections at the last
session. -,4-
Mr.. Logan called up the resolution submitted
by him last week to suspend so much of the
act of June %, 1874, reorganizlng the several
surgeons, till Feb. l, 1875, and it was agree
to.
On the motion of Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, the
House bill making appropriations for legisla-
tive, judicial and executive expenses OF the
governments for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1876, was real by title and referred to the
Committee on Appropriations. .---
Mr.. Anthony introduced bill to amend
chapter of title 50 of the revised statutes.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
on1 tho col cdpFa tion Of the
bill to provide better government for the Dis
trict of Columbia, the pending question being
on the motion of Mr.. Morton to provide for the
election of board of Commissioners by quail
fed voters instead OF having them appointed
by the President. -.a.1 t
The subject was discussed by Messrs Sar-
gent, Salisbury, Logan and Flanagan without
action.
Mr. Howe introduced a resolution lnstructing
the Committee on judiciary to inquire whether
any legislation is necessary to prohibit the dis
bursting officers of the United States from pay
ing moneys to persons or corporations who have
been duly enjoined by the courts of tie United
States from receiving the same, and to report
by bill or otherwise. Agreed to.
Mr.. Mitchell introduced bill to legalize the
assignments of the nay of officers in the gov
eminent service Referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Pratt introduced bill amending the act
granting pensions to certain soldiers and sailors
of 1872, and the widows Of deceased soldiers,
approved Feb. IA, 1871. Referred to the Com
mittee on Pensions.
Mr.. Chandler, from the Committee on Com
merce reported unfavorably on the bill to es-
tablish Atlanta, Ca, as port OF entry, and
bill to create steyedores and other maritime
liens of sea going vessels, both of which were
indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Logan presented memorial of former
members of the marine corps for bounty for
services in the late war, similar to that re-
nv yOluntpprS the Referred
the Committee on Military Affairs.
After an executive session the Senate adj
journed. -.a -'-
HOUSE f
Several bills were introduced and referred. by
Mr.. Pendleton for Improvement of Pawtucket
improvement of Norwalk and Bridgeport
Harbors and of the breakwater and piers at
Southport Harbor, Connecticut.
Mr. 'Bromberg of Alabama offered resolu-
ton for the appointment OF a select committee
to inquire whether anyoficer of the government
had used means to obstruct the administration
of Justice in district of Columbia, particularly
in relation to the so-called ''safe burglary con
spiracy." The House refused to second the
previous question by "A to 81 and the resolution
went over .l.. .s-
Mr.. Hayes of Alabama offered resolution
for Select Committee to inquire into the poll
teal affairs of Alabama and as to the rse of
federal soldiers there and intimidation of
rioters, &c.
Mr.. Randall of PENNSYLVANIA suggested that
the Committee should also inquire as TO the
distribution of rations voted by Congress in
Alabama.
Mr.. Hayes said he had no objection to that
but that the inquiry had already been provided
for in the resolution adopted last Monday.
Mr.. Hayes resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Sloss of Alabama at the request of Mr.
Young of Georgia offered resolution calling on
the Secretary of War for information as to
whether any army officer in the South has re-
ceived or attempted to obtain from the legisla-
ton of any state compensation for his services
or has while on duty as such officer been ad-
mitted to the bar and practiced for his personal
emolument. -5a -t-s-
Mr.. KaSson OF Iowa asked MIR. Young to
Mr.. Young mentioned the name of Major
Merrill stationed iu North Carolina. The House
refused to second the previous question, 65 to
1O5 and the resolution went over.
Bills introduced by Mr. Duell of New York
to authorize the purchase of Carpenters
painting known as ''the signing of the procla-
nation of emancipation; by Mr. Chapman of
the District of Columbia to amend act tor the
government of the district; by Mr.. Butler of
Massachusetts to amend act establishing the
court of claims.
Mr.. Nemain of New York as question of
privilege replied to the article of the New York
Sun criticisng the bill introduced by him in re-
ference to prosecutions for libel in the District
OF Columbia.
The House then proceeded to vote on suspend
ing the rules and adopting the resolution offered
last Monday by Mr.. Holman of Indiana, as fol-
lows: r.- e-
Resoved-That in the present condition of
the financial affairs of the government, no sub
sides in money bonds, public lands or by
pledge of public credit should be granted by
Congress to associations or corporations engaged
or preparing to engage in public or private en-
terprises, and that all appropriations from the
public treasury ought to be limited at this time
to such amounts only as should be imperatively
required By public service. The House refused
to suspend rules and adopt the resolution, yeas
49, nays, 70, not two-third in the affirmative.
Mr.. Dawes chairman of Committee on Ways
and Means made report of the refusal of
Richard B. Irwin to answer certain questions
put to him respecting the distribution by him of
the $4,000 received by hun from the Pacific
Mail Steamship Co. to aid in the procuring of,
additional subsidy for the China mail service