Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-18
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS,
WEDNESDAY, March IS.


signed BY Mrs. P. r. Lawrence and others, At
DounciDg that band of praying women would
soon visit Washington, and requesting that a
committee consisting of Messrs. Carpenter
Chandler and Sprsgue be appointed to receive
the m at the bar of the Senate. Referred to tn
Committee on Finance.
number of petitions and memorials were
presented and referred.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill,, (Vt.) the bill making
an appropriation for the EN- ploy ment of com pe-
tent person to make q survey and prepare a
plan for the permanent improvement of the
grounds around the Capitol was taken up, and
The House amendment, reducing the amount
from s., 600 to So COO, was concurred In.
On motion of MIR. Wright. the papers in the
case OF the claim CT W. 5. Mitchell were taken
from the files and referred to the Committee en-
Claims.
Mr.. Scott introduced a bill relating to wit
nesses snd proceedings before committees OF
Congress. Referred to Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Johnston, from the Committee on the
District of Columbia, reported a bill approving
an act OF the legislature of the District of Co
lumbia, relating to parishes of the Protestant
Episcopal churches in said District. Placed on
calendar.
Mr.. Spencer introduced bill to amend the
act to provide for the better security of life on
vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam
Referred to Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Wright introduced bill to provide for
the opening and improvement of certain water
routes therein named. Referred to Committee
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton of bills on the calendar. The following
bills were passed. For the relief of Sebastian
Reicbert; for the relief OF SIloma Deck; for the
relief of l.. s. Campbell; for the relief of Mrs.
Susan A. Shelby; to encourage the establish
Inent OF public marine schools. Joint resOiu-
ton explanatory of resolution approved Jam
uary 81, 1868, entitled "a resolution limiting
contracts for stationery and other supplies in
the entire departments to one year" Bill to
authorize the proper ACCOUNTING off GERS of the
Treasury to settle with Henry q. Carey.
The morning hour having expired MIR. West
moved to take up and consider the army apprO-
priatiOn bill.
MIR. Logan urged that the consideration of the
finance bill should be brought to a conclusion
and urged that some definite understanding
be reached.
Mr.. Sherman said he was daily In receipt of
letters asking for action on this bill, which was
unsettled and must remain so as long as SO
much uncertainty clings around the action OF
Congress.
Mr.. Hamlin also opposed the postponement
OF the finance bill, and said the discussion upon
1t had been carried to length that was almost
criminal.
Mr.. Chandler suggested that there be an I'M
Outstanding that upon the conclusion of the
speeches on the subject, the bill be considered
under the five minute rule until it be dis
posed of.
Mr.. West thought that very indefinite and
thought a better ARA lgement to devote tn ee
days TO the discussion of the bill, and then p o.
coed to vote upon ii.
Mr.. Ferry (Mich.) was willing to coufine the
many Senators did OF Gesire to have a direct
vote Ie, pecting the finance question to day. He
prep SD that Monday be liked for the day 10
take Up the finance bill, and continue It's CON
sderaIIon until q vote be reached.
Mr.. Morrill, (Me.) said three months had been
consumed in the discussion of this bill. II il
was continued much longer they would be here
In the months OF August and September look
ing the hot days in the face. He would prefer
to go to business that must be done, an should
give that the preference over every other
matter.
Mr.. Thurman said that he was convinced that
one principal cause of the stagnatiou OF the
business of the country was the uncertainty a.
TO what Congress would do. He desired to ex-
press his views briefly, but desired to do so upon
some definite proposition. He was willing Ia
agree TO vote upon the bill on Monday, or on
Friday, or to agree TO set the bill out, in which
case a vote would, he believed, be reached bv
midnight He was not willing to consider the
army appropriation bill until the finance ques-
ton was disposed of.
Mr.. Morrih (Vt.) asked what the Senate would
do meantime If Friday was fixed 'or the con-
sideratiOn of the finance bill.
Mr.. Thurman said that it was difficult to say
but in the light of the experiecce of the past
three months it was probable it would talk.
Mr.. Sherman submitted the following:
Ordered, That alter the passage of the army
appropriation bill the finance bill sh all be taken
up, and after two days speeches shall be con-
lined to fen minutes speeches upon pending
propositions
MIR. Thurman objected, and said he thought
the army appropriation bill should have III Jre
consideration than was given TO the naval APP
preparation bill.
Mr.. Stevenson thought the best way to expe-
dite business was to let the discussion on the
finance bill 60 on. Gentlemen were prepared
TO speak and why not let them 90 on.
After further discussion Mr.. West withdrew
his motion to take up the army bill, and.
Mr.. Davis addressed the Senate upon the
finance question.
HOUSE OF REPR ESENTATIvES.-T
House met to-day for debate only on the trans
portatiOn bill, Mr.. Albert (Md.) in the chair
Mi. Willard (Mich.) advocated the right OF
the government to cheaper transportation
He could not, however, advocate the appoint
ment of commissioners, as contem plated by
this bill. He argued In favor OF the improve
ment of the great natural water courses of the
country and the construction of double track
railway, which would be practically a great
Datonal highway. He had no doubt Of he
right Of the federal government to make these
improvements.
MIR. Wolfe (Ind.) advocated the bill as re-
ported from the committee, and argued in favor
of the constitutional power of Congress to.
pass il.
Mr.. Donnan (Iowa) said he would not address
himself particularly to the general features OF
the pending bill, but to what he believed would
be Its Interior objects, viz: to cheaper trans
portatiOn tor the people; and upon this latter
point he addressed the House.