The Portland daily press., 1875-02-24
Forty Third Congressional Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. Feb. %.
MrLogan, of the Military Committe, reported
back the house bill to equalize the bounties of
soldiers who served in the-late war, and asked
its present consideration.
Mr.. Howe objected on the ground that the
library committee was entitled to the morning
hour to-day.
Mr.. Logan gave notice that he would ask the
consideration of the bill during the morning
hour each day until he could get vote.
Mr.. Cameron, from the Foreign Committee,
reported back the joint resolution authorizing
the President to terminate certain treaties.
Passed.
Mr.. Frelnshuysen entered motion to re-
consider the vote by which the resolution
passed.
Mr.. Washburn of Mass, submittee resou-
ton requesting the Secretary of War to fur
nish the Senate with report of the expedition
to the Black Hills under the command of
Gen. Custar. Agreed to.
Mr.. Spencer eff Alabama presented memo
rial of the Republican members of the general
assembly of Alabama addressed to the PreSi-
dent and Congress, claiming that the change
made by the Alabama legislature in the penal
code of the state. made system of involunta-
ry servitude for American citizens; that 5000
voters were distrancbised by political legisla-
tion that the Democrats proposed acts amount
ing to practical notification Of Constitutional
amendments, and finally asking Congress to
empower the President to suspend the writ OF
habeas corpus in certain contingencies in order
to preserve the public peace in the southern
states. Referred to the Committee on Elec-
tiOnS
Mr. Howe from the committee on the library
called up the bill making further provision for
the accommodation of the library of Congress,
which provides for the erection of building in
Judiciary square.
Mr. Edmands offered substitute providing
for the extension of the west front of the centre
building of the capitol not exceeding 81 feet,
to accommodate the library, and proposing an
appropriation of 900 to commence work.
The bill was discussed till Ithe expiration of
the morning hour and then laid over.
The senate then resumed consideration of the
post office appropriation bill, the pending ques
ton being whether the section in the bill as it
came from the house, repeating the act of June
1st, 1872 authorizing that the Pacific Mail con-
tract should be stricken out
Mr. Edmunds, from the judiciary committee,
submitted the report in question whether the
contract with the Pacific Mail S. s. Co. for
semi monthly service of the China mail is stlll
obligatory on the United States. The committee
report that in their opinionsthe government is
not bound in law 10 carry this contract into ef-
feet. The main reason assigned is that the
company need not furnish the ships required
for the additional service at the proper time,
and that the Postmaster General had no lawful
authority to accept vessels when they were ten
dered, and his action cannot bind the govern
meLt
After further debate vote was taken on the
question of striking Iout the repeating clause,
and resulted in yeas IL, nays 50.
So the action of the house repeating the con-
tract of 1872 for an additional subsidy was not
concurred in.
The postoffice appropriation bill having been
read third time and pass ed, the senate took
up the army appropriation bill
HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes, the House agreed
to take up the tariff bill.