Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-03
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS,
March 3,

SENATE.-The chaplain, in his opening
prayer, duplicated Divine Providence to re-
buke the giant demon Islander, now stalking
forth and casting q shadow over all the earth,
and that the hand OF the wilful extractor might
be psralyzed as he wrote.
Mr.. Davis, from the Committee on Appropr,-
atoms, reported without amendment the fortif-
cation appropriation bill, and gave notice that
he should call it up for action at the first prac
tcable opportunity.
MIR. Logan, from the Committee on MilitarY
Affairs reported adversely on bill to authorize
the lease OF the lszaretto site, near League
Island, for powder magazine.
Mr.. Fenton presented a memorial from
large number OF leading business men of New
YORK, expressing alarm at the unlawful action
OF the Secretary OF the Treasury in issuing the
reserves; that never before had any civilized
government resorted to putting out irredeems.
Die paper currency in time of peace, and
asking Congress to Immediately prohibit tae
Secretary from issuing any more OF the reserve,
and TO withdraw at once the amount issued 10
this date. Referred to the Committee on FL
nance.
Mr.. F. said the sisners to the memorial repre-
sented at least $500 ,0CJ, 900 of capital.
The bill for the relief OF Hanson Harmon, OF
Wilmington, Delaware, was passed.
Mr.. Sargent, from Committee on Appropris-
tons, reported House bill appropriating 81 400
to pay government telegraph operatives in the
Capitol building. Passed.
Mr.. Logan, from Committee on Military At
fairs, reported bill authorizing the Secretary OF
War to issue a supply of arms to the state OF
Nebraska.
Mr.. Cragin called up bill to correct errors in
the expiration Of the morning hour, when the
bill went over.
Mr.. Robertson submitted a resolution calling
on the Secretary OF War to inform the Senate
whether there is any danger of a water famine
in Washington city, and for Information gen
orally as to the water supply for Washington.
MIR. Hamlin objected to the resolution and
said that he thought all the information was
now in possession of the Senate.
The Chair submitted sundry resolutions on
public matters passed by the legislature OF
Mr.. West submitted a resolution instructing
the Committee on Contingent Expenses TO en-
qure as to the proprety OF furnishing each
Senator with copy of a text book published
by w. III. & o. h. Morrison. Also, including
the national banking laws and information CON
concerning the public debt. Adopted.
Mr.. West moved to postpone the centennial
bill and take up the army appropriation bill.
Mr.. Sherman suggested that the centennial
bill could be disposed of in gu hour, and that
the finance resolution, which had been post
poned until to- day, could be proceeded with.
Mr.. Sumner advocated proceeding with the
appropriation bill, and expressed the belief that
il Congress went into the centennial business
u would result IN an expenditure OF thirty mil
lions.
The motion OF Mr.. West was lost-ayes 16,
Does 80.
Mr.. Carpenter said that to- morrow, when the
Senator from Indiana, (MOrton,) who was now
detained from the chamber by indsposition,
would be present, he would ask to take up his
promised remarks.
Mr.. Hamilton Md gave notice of his intsn-
ton 10 submit remarks upon Louisiana affairs
The Centennial bill was then proceeded with.
MIR. Sherman said that the pending bill was
not proper one to be passed, 1t committed the
government in a wholesale way and without
any restrictions. 1t placed it in the power OF
the commission to contract bills to the amount
of City millions which the government will be
compelled to pay. He submitted a motion that
the bill be referred to the Committee on Appro-
pTiations, and then if that committee reported
back carefully guarded bill, lie would be will
ing TO vote for q large appropriation, as he was
in favor of having grand celebration on the
Fourth of July, 1876.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
House took up the bill reported yesterday BY
Mr.. Townsend, PAL to secure homcsteais I,
actual settlers on the public domain.
The bill was amended by adding a provisc
that no oath should be required of any on,
desiring to secure homestead, except the oatI
to support the Constitution of the United States
This was mainly for the benefit OF the people il.
the southern states, who, under existing laws
requiring the taking of the IRON clad oath, can
not avail themselves of the benefit OF the pre-
emptiOn laws.
The bill also repeats the presumption laws.
Ii was further amended by proviso that all
lands granted to railroads shall be subject ~
the provisions of the bill in all cases where such
roads have failed to comply with the conditions
of. the grants.
The bill was then passed as amended
Mr. Butler NJ ass.) entered motion to recon
slider the vote whereby the House yesterday
voted authority to the Committee on Expendi-
lures of the Department OF Justice to send for
persons and papers, pending the investigation
of affairs in the western judicial district o.
Arkansas.
Mr.. Sener, Mr.. Speer, and other members OF
the committee objected to the motion, and con
tended that it was now too late to make 1t.
The Speaker ruled that the resolution passed
yesterday by unanimous consent, and that
therefore motion to reconsider could be en-
tered When the motion was called up any
other member could move to lay on the table the
reconsideration.
Mr.. Conger Mich }, from Committee on Com
merce, reported a bill to amend the act to pre-
vent the destruction Of fur-bearing animals in
Alaska. Passed.
The House the proceeded to the considera-
ton OF the bill reported from the Committee
on Railways and Canals, to regulate commerce
by railroads among the several States, and
Mr.. McCreary (1owa) addressed the House.