The Portland daily press., 1874-12-23


Mr. Edmunds objected, and said it could not
be withdrawn.
made, the Chair (Allisonl ruled that it could
be Withdrawn, the yeas ard nays not having
been ordered. A demand was made but the
Senate did not order them. The amendment
was then withdrawn.
Mr.. Schurz said that he would vote for the
bill in spite of all its defects. He would vote
for it because it contained a pledge to return to
specie payments in 1879, and the members of
this body voting for the bill would do all in
their power to make their pledge good. He did
not think all the financial ability of America
was confined within the walls of this chamber:
and he predicted that the financial minds OF
the country would say that the provisions of
the bill were inadequate to carry out the propo-
stion named in its title. He thought that the
bill would leave the currency OF the country 10
the same condition in which it had found it.
He offered no factious opposition to It, lie ola
not think it would produce a quiet soothing
effect upen the business of the country.
The Senator from Ohio (Sherman) knew the
bill could not be passed before the holidays,
and why not let it be recommittcd, that some
feature looking to specie resumption might be
committed to the Committee on Finance, with
instructions to incorporate in it such provisions
as are calculated to open the way for specie
payments Rejected.
Mr. Schurz then moved to amend the Sd sec
ton SO as to provide that not less than $1,000
600 in legal tender notes be retired monthly by
the Secretary of the Treasury, and the legal
tenders so retired shall be cancelled and de-
stroyed. Rejected; yeas 10, nays A.
The bill was then read third time and
passed; yeas 80, nays IA, as follows,
YeasEAllison, Anthony, Boutwell,, Carpen-
ter Chandler, Clayton, Cragln, Edmunds,
Fenton, Ferry of Michigan, Flanagan, Freling-
huysen, Hamlin, Harvey, Howe, ingalls,
Logan, Morrill, of Maine, Morton, Oglesby,
Daft Pratt Ramsey. Sargent,
Schurz, Scott, Sherman, Spencer, Washburn'
West and Wright-32 90,
Nays-Bogy, Cooper, Davis, Dennis, Gold
thwaite Hager, Hamilton of Texas, Johnston,
MerrimOn, Ransom, Sprague, Stevenson, Ihur
man and Tipton-14.
Mr.. Boutwell, presented the memorial OF
JAS Allen, and Others for the erection OF a
lighthouse and signal station at Star ls,and,
near the Isle of Shoals. Referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce. uyr IS ..EG.
Mr.. Edmunds called up the joint resolution
from the House for the holiday recess to have
1t put upon its passage, but objection was made
by Mr.. West, and it went over till tomorrow.
The Senate, on motion of Mr. Hamln, at
$40, proceeded to the consideration of execu-
tive business, and at 6.4e the doors were
opened and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
A resolution directing the Secretary of the
Interior to make detailed statement of the
disbursement of the contingent fund in each
bureau of that department was adopted.
Mr.. Dawes offered q resolution calling upon
the Postmaster General for information as to
the smuggling of merchandise through the
mails. Adopted.
Mr.. Hagar offered resolution instructing
Judiciary Committee to inquire whether any
restrictions are placed on telegraphic commu-
nications to the press and to individuals.
Adopted. a+-E ..,~.- ..--
Mr.. Garfield asked unanimous consent to re-
port and have passed bill appropriating $50,
900 to defray the expenses OF the visit OF Kin
Kalakaua and suite
Mr.. Hereford objected and the bill was not
received.
Mr.. Dawes presented a communication signed
by Drs. johnson aud Garrett, notifying the
House that Richard B. Irwin is not at present
in PHYSICAL condition to present himself at
the bar of the House, or to be subjected to any
mental excitement
The House went into Committee OF the
Whole on the naval appropriation bill.
The following are the principal items OF the
bill which appropriates in all about $17, 900,
900: For the pay of officers and $500 men OF
the navy, $6,250,0O0; for civil estimates at
navy yards and stations, ST. 250 900; for gene raj
maintenance of navy yards and stock, $3.50, 600;
provisions for officers, seamen and marines,
81, 800, 900; preservation of vessels. purchase
of stores, &C., So, 100000; repairs of boilers,
machinery, Sc, s., 5000 for naval academy,
$4,000; for marine corps, S078, 900.
item for contingent expenses. Rejected.
In the course of the discussion Mr.. Dreamer
of New York, assaied the administration OF
the navy department., particularly in connec-
ton with running navy yards for political pur-
poses.
The administration of the navy department
was defended by Messrs. Hale Of Me-, Archer
of Md, and Gooch of Mass.
Mr. Chittenden of New York, recognized the
fact that the Brooklyn navy yard had been a
oil >ofp corrupf10n for m hu T.
although it was in his district, his election was
independent of it. No man, inside or outside
of that yard had any claim whatever on him.
On the contrary, perfectly disreputable man
had got letter from every member OF the CAP
met but one, intended to assist that person in
carrying the congressional election against him
(Chttepden) and there was no question but
that men were planted in the Brooklyn navy
yard for political purposes. Those men were
not there now, although there stood upon the
stocks one of the ten sIoops of war voted last
year, which was rotting for want OF covering,
because there were no men to cover it. There
was no work going on there now except repairs
on the Tennessee.
Messrs. Schumacher, Luthell, Randall and
ONeil -s@ rr
Mr.. Randall intimated that he would in the
next Congress show double the energy in cast
ing out unfaithful Democrats he had hitherto
shown in casting out unfathful Republicans.
Finally the Committee rose and the House
passed the bill.
The Speaker presented a communication
from the President, with a petition of colored
citizens of Alabama, in regard to the troubles
in that state. Referred to a select committee
ON that subject. ..-...-...
The Speaker presented the applications of a
large number Of members for leave of absence,
so large a number that Messrs Garfield and
Eldridge suggested doubts whether a quorum
would be left. The applications were all
granted.
The House at $40 adjourned. Pee