Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-04
Congressional Proceedings.

ilpt ST.
WASHINGTON, March 8.
Immediately after the meeting of the House it
went into committee of the whole on the deticien-
CIV bill, the first items reached in the bill being
certain appropriations for the District OF Column
ba.
To an argument made against them by Mr..
Holman of Indiana, i'll which he reflected on the
motives of the chairman of the committee on ap-
preparations, Mr.. Garfield replied in tone and
manner CT strong Indignation, characterlzng such
insinuations small miserable and unmanly. lie
hoped he would never get down so low as to fling
yitrol aud poison around him on his fellow mem
bers, and to talk about their motives IN the dis
charge OF public and honorable duty.
The items reported were on the special recon-
mendation Of the honorable Commissioners Of the
District.
The considt ration ot the bill was temporarily
interrupted, to permit the presentation of the re-
port of the conference committee on the post
Office appropriation bill
Mr.. Iyner of Ind. made the report, and in re-
ply 10 questions stated that the action of the House
IN regard to the ranking privilege was substan-
tally carried out i'll the report Of the conference
committee.
In reply to further inquiries. as to the proviso
inserted by the House excluding from the free
dom of the mails speeches reproduced from and
printed otherwise than in the congressional record
and speeches delivered elsewhere than in Con-
gress lie stated that the conference committee
had concluded that by the language of the amend
ment such speeches were already excluded and
therefore the proviso had been struck out as SUI
perHuous. In regard to tranking garden seeds,
the word garden had been struck out SO as TO
make it generally inapplcable to all seeds trans
miited by the Department Of Agriculture.
Mr.. Spear of Pa.-Are these documents and
seeds permitted to go through the mails free, on
the written frank of members
Mr.. Tyner.-C undoubtedly, until the first of next
Dec, and that applies to ali documents printed or
,,r1 tn ba prtpteI nv ('opprass
The salary of the Post master at New York is
fixed at $4,000
Mr. Hale, of Me,-Does not this report restore
the franking privilege with the exception OF the
correspondence of members
Mr.. Tyner.-Not permanently; but until the
first of December next, in all respects except As
correspondence of members. The provision as
to agricultural reports and seeds is permanent
The report was concurred in without the yeas
and nays, which were demanded by MIR. GARFIELD
and others, but refused.
Mr.. Townsend, of Pa from the conference
committee on the bill for the incorporation and
regulation of Railroad companies in the territorial
territories and giving to Railroads the right of way
through public lands, made report, the principal
paint in which was the striking out of the proviso
giving States hereafter organized in such terrific
ries control over charges for transportation and
freight the same as if such right of way md been
originally granted by them.
In the midst of the great noise and confusion
proceeding from tDc uclhcuuouS pressure VI
ness, Mr.. Wilson of Ia, who was opposed to the
conference report declared point of order
that the House did not know what it was doing
The Speaker pro TEN (Randalll gave his assent
and ruled that the point was well taken
Mr.. Holman of Iud. raised his voice above the
din and was heard to eXclaim that fraud was
being perpeirated on the House.
This raised the ire Of Mr.. Townsend, who had
charge of the report, and he characterized the
allegation as false.
to become excited, as he was not charging him
with fraud.
Mr.. Wilson broke in with the exclamation -
There was no question but there was an attempt
being made to perpetrate fraud on The country,
if no. on the House!
Mr.. Holml IN minated to Mr. Townsend that
he was too old to display childish passion and re-
peated that the attempt to put the bill through III
It's present form fraud ON the country. loud
shouts of ''vote," "order"). If he was not enti-
tied 10 be heard, he should OF course take his
seat.
The speaker pro TEN minated to Mr. Holman
that he was not entitled to the floor but was speak
ing by sufferance of the chair and of the gentle
man from Penn.
Mr. Townsend said he was perfectly willing that
the gentleman from Indiana should have five MN
utes.
The House met the offer with shouts Of NO, no
no, vote, regular order"
Mr. Townsend assured the House that there
was no fraud in the bill, and that the repor was
unanimous one, which statement was confirmed by
Mr. Ford Of Ill.
The conference report was then agreed to with
out the yeas and nays, which were demanded by
G. +. Hoar, but refused by the House.
The House again went into committee oil the
whole on the deficiency bill.
An amendment to pay the expenses of certain
contested elections in former years, was strcnu'
ousy resisted by Mr.. Spear.
1t was finally adopted.
Mr.. Cobb OF Kansas offered an amendment for
the payment Of government employees whose
compensation was reduced under the eight hour
law.
Mr.. Garfield made point of order on the
the amendment.
Over-ruled.
The amendment was rejected.
On motionor Mr.. Butler of Mass, an item of
S35, 900 was Inserted for the soldiers National
asylums.
Mr. Myers of Pa. moved to insert an item of
800, 900 for clothing for seamen, and made an ap-
peal to the committee to do this justice to the en-
listed men and boys Of the navy.
Agreed to.