The Portland daily press., 1874-02-27
Forty Third Congress- First Session.
SENATE.

w WASHINGTON, teD 70.
A bill was passed granting American regis
ter to the Canadian schooner George Warren.
A bill " as passed prescribing the former oath
to be taken by post Office officials.
Several petitions were presented, including
ri, for abolition of the duties on stick liquorce,
Resolutions of the California Legislature,
were presented favoring Congressional investi-
cation into the Central Pacific Railroad.
Bill appropriating $193, 132 to pay for the re
moving of distractions in the Savannah liver
was passed.
After debate of an hour the Senate, by %
nays to % yeas, refused to take up the centen-
nial bill, and the naval appropriation bill was
taken up.
The financial question has been postponed
until Tuesday next on account of the sickness
of several Senators.
Bill relative to paymasters went over till the
army appropriation is considered.
On the vote refusing to take up the centeu-
NAL bill, Mr.. Hamlin Of Maine, voted yea and
Mr.. Morrill, nay
The navy appropriation bill was then taken
up and the amendments of the comnttee con-
CURED CURED in in and the bill passed me lin as it
drawing and engraving charts fom $40, 600 to
$4,000. 1t provi les for three .sslstant ohs-sr
ers at the Naval Observato5 instead OF two
and appropriates $4,000 fort trepar.ng ana pup
fishing the National Alme'ac instead OF $l0,-
600, and to increase the appropriation for the
equipment of vessels frcn 0OO, GOO to $l ,25O,.
600: that for nrovisior for officers, seamen and
marines from 81 100000 to VI ,S52.6 500; and that
chinery to 81. .s6s1OO The contingent expenses
of the Naval academy are fixed at 700, in
stead of $4,000; $4,000 are appropriated for
the contingent expenses of the marine corps
instead Of $4,000. The bill now goes back to
the House for concurrence in the Senate amend
ment.
The consideration of the centennial bill was
lalo,ayer till after the morning hour tomorrow.
The by for the appointment of commission
IN regard 10 ,te alcoholic liquor traffic was TAX
Mr.. Morrill, Of Maine, g apppoprat1ng To ria $1,000 to
defray the expenses Of is eommission. O''O' "
Mr.. Bayard opposed the passage Of the bill
on the ground that. the federal government
would be interfering in matters within tho iu-
risdiction of States
Mr. Flanagan favored the bill and smoke of
the evil effects of intoxicating liquor. He be-
lieved the use of alcoholic liquors was the cause
of the late split between the North and SoGth.
Pending a discussion Mr.. Thurman moved
the Senate proceed to the consideration of ex-
ecutive business.
Mr.. West, from the Committee on ApprOpia-
tions reported the army appropriation bill,
which was ordered to lie on the table and be
printed.
Mr.. Hamlin from the Committee on Post
Offices, reported without amendment the House
bill for the relief of r. II. Button, Postmaster
at Cavendish, vt.
Mr.. Boutwell, from the Committee on Pat
tents, reported aversely on the petition of B.
D. Washburn asking authority for a Commis-
sioner of Patents to review his application for
patent for tool for cutting glaciers points.
The Senate then went into executive sess ion
and afterwards adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill was passed allowing the unexpended
balance of the appropriation for the cOnstruc-
tion of a branch mint at San Franciso to be
made available to COntinua the work
The House resumed the consideration of the
bill reviving the franking privilege. and speAeh-
es in its favor were made by Messrs. Danforth,
Hereford, Dunnell,i iConger, Burchard, o Brion,
Mr.. Roberts Of N. Y. moved to lay the bill
14O
vote was taken on an amendment reported
Dy tne Committee authorizing the Postmaster
General to delay the Transmission of documents
whenever the welfare of the service shall re-
quire, and it was rejected by an overwhelming
majority.
g. A vote was then taken on the substitute OF Of,
tered BY Mr.. Hale of New York, to repeal the
law which abolished the franking privilege.
198
Those voting in the affirmative were Adams,
Albert, Arthur, Averill, Barker, Bell, Butler
of Mass, Butler of Tenn, Crutchfeld, Eld-
ridge, Farwell. Field, Freeman, Hogan Hale
Of N. Y. Hancock, Harmon, Harris of Ca,
Hayes, y,I Herndon' K HGrselX aS, ao1g hton, Howe,
land, Maynard, Mclean. Moor Negey, Pratt
Of Pa, Roper, Rice, Robbins, Senner, Shanks
Sheats, Sheldon, Sloss, Smithsof La, Stowell,
Strawbridge, Sypher, Vance, Wallace, Walls,
and Wiltshire.
A vote was then taken on the passage of the
bill, and it was rejected, yeas 129, nays 131.
At the close of the roll call, the vote being
| very close, there was good deal of excite
ment among the members, those in favor of
the Dill going around discussing the question
and canyassng for changes The first change
was by Todd Of Pa, from No to yes. 1t was
followed by a change on the part of Burrows
OF Mich, Burle gh of Me-, Clark of Mo-, and
Hubbell of Mich, from aye to no. Messrs
Putler OF Mass, and Cessna of Pa, having
voted with the prevailing side. moved to recon
slider the vote rejecting the bill and afterwards
withdrew the motion, 1t can be made to-mor
| row.
The House then took recess. The evenins
session will be for the consideration OF the bill
to revise the statutes.