Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-23
Congressional Pre- ceedings.


When the clause adopted by the House, repeating
the act of 1872, authorizing the Pacific Mail con-
tract, was reached, Mr.. West, who had charge of
the bill, said that the committee reported that 1t
came from the House without recommendation,
the matter having been referred to the Judiciary
committee some days ago by resolution of the
Senate.
Mr. Thurman said that committee had not yet
reached decision on the subject He expected
report would have been made to-day, but the
committee had no meeting this morning.
Mr.. Merrman said he favored the annulling of
the contract.
The subject was passed over informally, and the
reading of the bill continued that the amend
ments of ahe committee might be the first acted
upon.
Mr.. Anthony from the committee on printing,
reported a resolution continuing ID. /. Murphy as
official reporter of the debates in the Senate from
the expiration Of his present contract till fnther
ordered Of the Senate.
Agreed to-
The Vice President then called for the business
on the calendar the committee Oh printing being
entitled to the floor.
Mr.. Anthony called mp the Senate bill TO pro-
vide for the distribution of the regular official edi-
tons of certain public documents and Of the Con-
gressional record. He said that this was similar
to the bill considered AT the last session but it was
then complicated with the ranking privilege and
other matters. The committee had now Invested
it Of everything Objectionable and as before the
Senate it WAS simply a plan Tor the distribution
Of documents already printed and provides for
new printing. The bill was passed.
The Senate bill to provide for the republication
Of the patent office Gazette was passed.
The house resolution to print the report Of
Major Powell in quarto form was passed.
The House resolution to print 1000 copies OF the
memorial service on the occasion OF the death Of
the late Prof. Morse was, on motion of Mr.. An
thony, amended SO to print $500 instead of500O,
and passed.
MI Anthony then called up the House resolu
ton to print 100000 copies of the annual report
of the Commissioner of Agriculture. lie said the
committee reported this without recommendation,
leaving the matter to the Senate.
debate ensued as to how these reports could
be distributed.
Mr. Thurman said he was opposed TO the frank
ing privilege. lie did not intend to make charges
against any party--probably both were at fault
but since he entered the Senate he had seen the
corridors to the Capitol filled with clerks signing
the names of members of Congress who were
hundreds of miles away, and sending eff tons OF
matter on the eve OF Presidential election.
Mr. Anthony admitted these abuses of the
franking privilege but said one of its most egit-
mate uses was sending off from here during the
Presidential campaign documents giving to every
voter statements upon which each each party re-
lied.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont, moved an amendment
providing for printing many of such report as
in the judgment Of the committee on printing
may be paid for by the parties ordering the same
together with the postage for transportation thro
the mails
While on the Indian appropriation bill, Mr..
Hamilton of Texas, moved an amendment to the
clause appropriating $500, 0O0 to subsst and take
care of the Apache Indians in Arizona and New
Mexico, so as 10 provide that the money shall be
expended in behalf Of those Indians only in pro-
portion to the number located on the reservation
and retaining from hostilties.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Stewart moved to amend as 10 increase
Of the Indian service in Nevada from $1,000 to
S35 900.
Agreed TO.
Mr.. Bogy moved to amend so as to strike out
the clause approprlating $4,000 TO deiray the eN-
penses of Indian delegations who may visit Wash
ington on business connected with their respective
tribes.
Agreed to.
A number Of other amendments Were offered
and rejected and the bill was passed.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine called up the Military
Academy appropriation bill.
The amendment of the committee authorizing
the President to fill vacancies among officers, in
structors professors and cadets, occurring at said
academy by reason of death or other cause, of
any person appointed by him, was agreed to.
Mr. Thurman moved to add section providing
that hereafter, until otherwise provided by law,
the number OF cadets appointed each year shall be
one half the number authorized to be appointed
by the now existing laws and no more. He said
believed in its usefulness, but it was well known
that the number of officers in too great
proportion to the numerical strength of the
army.
Mr.. Hamln of Maine agreed with the senator
from Ohio, and said the officers were being edu
Gated faster than the needs of the service. He
suggested an amendment providing for the ap-
pointment of cadets alternately from each con-
gressional district.
The amendment was accepted by Mr. Thurman.
7 with he fhprS hat
there was an excess OF officers, but would not sup
port the amendment as il might delay the progress
of the appropriation bill lie favored separate
law on that subject.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, expressed TIE opinion
that this branch Of the public service might he
trimu ed down. but the law doing it should not be
a part of All appropriation bill. He moved to lay
the amendment on the table.
Agreed to.
of the whole, was reported TO the Senate and the
amendments made in the committee were agreed
to.
Mr.. Thurman then renewed his amendment, as
above noted, with the following words added -
"And hereafter there shall be appointed one cadet
in each eight years, instead OF four years, now
provided by law.
Mr. Freelinghuysen said this was mpertinens
legislation, and IN case the President did rot ap-
prove it, he could not veto II without Yetoing the
whole appropriation bill
Mr. Morton said the subject deserved more con-
sideration than it could now have under our theory
Of government. 1t was not intended to keep a
standing army. Our theory TO be prepared
for war by having a large number of properly ed
ucated officers and people could be relied on to
make up an army. believing this legislation pre-
mature, he moved to lay the amendment on the
table. Agreed to, yeas ~, nays % The bill was
then read the third time and passed.
The pension Appropriation bill was then rcad
a third time and passed.
Mr.. West called up tie post office appropriation
bill.
Mr. Thurman moved to add on additional Sec
ton providing that the congressional record shall
be carried in the mails free Of postage.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to amend so that all pub
lie documents already printed b. either House OF
Congress may pass through the mail upon the
frank OF any member of Congress, until Dec, 81,
| 1875; which amendment was accepted by Mr
| Thurman.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont, moved 10 amend SO
that the congressional record any portion there
of, may pass through the mails free.
| Agreed TO.
| The question being upon Mr.. Thurman's amend
ment as amended, Mr.. West moved to lay it Oh
! the table.
Rejected-ycas, % nays, 81.
| The amendment Of Mr.. Thurman was thei
agreed to.