The Portland daily press., 1874-12-08
Forty Third Congressional Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON Dec. Z.
In the Senate, Vice President Wilson called
the Senate to order at noon
Resolutions Informing the House that the
Senate was ready to proceed to business and
that the hour of meeting would be II o'clock,
were passed.
Senators Conklng and Thurman were APP
pointed committee to join the House CO m
mittee in informing the President that Con-
gress is ready to receive any communication.
Mr. Morrill, of Maine, from the Joint Select
Committee to frame government for the Dis
trict of Columbia. submitted report accom-
panied by sundry statutes for the organization
of such government. Laid on the table,
The certificate of the election of Geo. r. Ed
munds, Senator from Vermont. and VIM w.
Eaton, Senator from Connecticut, for the term
commencing March 4th, 1876. were read and
placed on file.
A resolution enquiring into Indian affairs
and disturbances was laid on the table.
The message of the President was received,
read and ordered to be printed, with the accom-
panying documents.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speakers hammer fell at noon ard the
roll call showed a presence of 238 out of 3O1
members -Four new members, Schell and
Chttenden of New York, Carpenter of South
Carolina, and Finch of Ohio, came forward had
the oath administered, and took their seats.
Resolutions were offered by Messrs Garfield
and Dawes to notify the Senate that the House
is in session, and for the appointment of a
joint committee to wait upon the President
and inform him that Congress was prepared to
receive any communication be desired to make.
Messrs. Dawes, Hale Of New York, and Beck
were appointed such committee.
MIR. Phelps asked unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration OF bill to repeal the
law known as the "press gag law"
Mr.. Hale of N. Y. objected. Recess.
The reading OF the message, which was
listened to with remarkable attention, con-
cluded at 3 45; then ON motion of Mr. Dawes
OF Mass. it was ordered printed
MIR. Garfield of O., from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported the legislative, execu-
tive anu judicial appropriation bills, which was
made special order for Tuesday OF next
week.
Mr.. Hale of Maine, of the same committee,
reported the naval appropriation bill, which
was made q special order for Wednesday next
Mr.. Wheeler of N. Y, from the same COM
mittee, reported the army appropriation bill,
which was made special order for Thursday
of next week.
Mr.. Loughridge of Iowa, from the same COM
mlttee, reported the Indian appropriation bill,
which was made special order fer Friday of
next week.
MIR. Starkweather of Conn., from the same
comm ittee, reported the fortifcation BILL which
was made special order for Tuesday, Dec %
The amount appropriated by these several
,
navy, $16,976,0 DOG; army, S27 ,701 500; India US,
81 1861, 507; fortifications, $850,000.
Mr.. Tyner of Ind, from tue same committee,
reported bill appropriating So 100000 for the
purchase of1scales for the uss of the Post office
Department ia executing the law requiring
prepayment of postage on newspapers.
MIR. Cox wanted to offer an amendment ex-
ceptiDg from the operation of the law cases
where subscriptions were taken prior to the LIST
Of January, 1875, and allowing that postage in
these cases be paid at the places of destination.
Mr.. Tyner declined to allow an amendment
to be offered by Mr.. Cox, who intimated that
in the next House he would have more privi-
leges.
Mr.. Tyne replied that he would not be there
to see Naughter) The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Cox thereupon introduced q bill to carry
out the object indicated by him, and it was re-
ferred to the Post-office Committee.
Mr.. Phelps of New Jersey gave notice he
would next Monday, if he got the floor, move
to suspend the rules and pass the bill he sought
to introduce and pass to-day to repeal the press
gag law, Adjourned,