The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-11
Forty Third Congressional Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10.

WASHINGTON, Feb. III.
Mr.. Conkling presented memorial of the
New York Chamber of Commerce asking lib
eral appropriation to enable Gen. Newton to
continue the improvement of New York har-
Dor.
A large number of reports were made from
the Committee on Claims and Pensions.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, moved that the Senate
at o'clock p. m. take recess until this even
ing for the purpose of considering the bill to
provide government for the District of Co.
lumbia.
Mr.. Chandler opposed the motion and said he
desired to have the steamboat bill disposed Of
He gave notice that he would press that bill in
opposition to all Others
After some discussion Mr.. Morrill, withdrew
his motion for an evening session, but gave no.
tice that ne would renew it again during the
day.
Committee ON Commerce with the understand
ing it should be reported back on Saturday or
Monday next
The bill providing for the government of the
District was then taken up.
Mr.. Hitchcock called up the House bill to
perfect the United States government guaran-
tee of the District of Columbia 3.65 bonds and
to authorize them to be registered at the United
States Treasury. PASSED.
The Vice President then called for the bust
ness on the calendar.
The Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds being entitled to the floor, Mr.. Morrill,
of VT, from that committee, called up the
Senate bill to make appropriation for public
buildings at Covington, Ky. Passed.
The Senate bill to grant site for the Pea
body school in st. Augustine, Fla, was taken
up, to which there was an amendment pending,
submitted at the last session by Mr. Edmunds,
providing that il at any time any distinction
shall be made in the admission pf pupils on
account of race or color the site shall re-
vert to the United States and it was rejected
yeas %, nays "a.
Messrs Cameron, Ferry of Conn.,, Gilbert,
Morrill, of VT, Schurz and Sprague being
among those who voted in the negative
The bill was then passed without a division,
Mr.. Alcorn voting in the negative
Mr.. Howe entered motion to reconsider.
Bills were passed authorizing the purchase of
sites for public buildings in Topeka and Har-
risburg.
The steamboat bilt was recommitted to Com
mittee on Commerce.
The Senate resumed consideration of bill to
provide government for the District of Co
lumbia reported by select committee, the
pending amendment being that of Mr.. Morton
to have the 3 commissioners elected by the
qualified voters of the district instead OF APP
pointed by the President by and with the adj
vice and consent of Senate.
Mr.. Sargent asked that the resolution OF the
Senator from Missouri (Schurz) instructing ]u-
dietary committee to inquire what legislation
by Congress is necessary to secure to the people
of Louisiana the right of self government be
taken up, in order that it might be the untin-
iShed business tomorrow, when he desired 10
address the Senate.
Mr. Morton gave notice that as soon as the
bill now before the Senate was disposed OF he
would call up the resolution to seat Pnchback.
The Senate at 4.30 proceeded to consideration
of executive business, and at o'clock adjourn
ed.
Mr.. Hurlburt of ILL.,, from the Commi ttee on
Railroads and Canals, reported a bill to aid the
Washington, Cincinnati and St. Louis Rail
road Company to construct narrow gauge
railway from the tide water to St. Louis and
Chicago Referred to the Committee of the
Whole.
Mr. Butler of Mass, asked and obtained
consent to have next Wednesday evening set
apart for the consideration of business to De
reported from the Judiciary Committee, with
the understanding that no bills of political
nature shall lie reported
Mr.. Archer of Nd, introduced bill for the
appointment of a board of admiralty. Re-
Mr.. Albright of Pa, from the Commi ttee on
Military Affairs, reported a bill to constitute
national cemetery out of the parcel of ground
ceded to the United States in Hospital Hill
Cemetery at York, Pa, in which soldiers from
16 states are inferred Passed.
Mr.. Myers OF Pa, introduced bill supple.
mentary to the acts in relation to immigration
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The bill has reference especially to the coOlie
trade.
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, from the Committee on
Ways and Means, reported the new tariff bill,
which was made the special order for to-mor-
row.
revenue bill from the Ways and Means Com
mttee, consideration of the postoffice appro-
priation bill was resumed.
Mr. Donovan of Iowa, criticised the econom
ical tendencies of the Postmaster General, par
ticularly in the Western states He thought
that economy should begin in the East
Messrs. Randall and Holman objected to the
Jumping of amounts in the bill.
The former maintained that every item
should be specifically set forth.
Mr. Holman thought that there was a vast
amount of money expended needessly in post.
of service should be largely reduced.
The total amount recommended to be appro-
priated by this bill is $37, 524, 361.
The total amount recommended by this
bill is less than the estimates by 81, 53S. 153.
The decrease is as fOllows In the amount to
provide for the general service of the Depart
ment 1868 173. In the amount recommended
for steamship service, $575,000 The items for
steamship service are 100000 for steamship
service between San Francisco, Japan and
China, under the act of Feb. 1865, and $37, 500
for the Brazilian mail steamship service.
Mr.. Holman of Ind moved to add to the
item of ST., 548, 900 for inland mail transporta-
ton as provIso that no part of that money
should be used to increase the compensation of
railroad companies beyond the rates now re-
ceived by them
The amendment offered by Mr.. Holman was
adopted requiring the Postmaster General to
cause advertisements of mail letting to be
posted up conspicuonsly in each postoffice for
at least 90 days.
M. Coburn of Ind. moved an amendment
requiring public documents and seeds sent by
members Of Congress to be carried through the
mails free.
Pending action the committee rose and the
House took a recess, the evening session being
for debate only.