The Portland daily press., 1876-08-04
Forty Fourth Congress-FIrst Session,
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. d. c., August g.
Joint resolution allowing Pacific Mail Com
pany to carry mails between San Francisco and
China in iron steamers was adopted.
Bill to limit and fix signal service was passed.
1t authorizes the President to appoint as assist.
ants to the chief signal officer two majors, six
officers who shall have the rank and pay of
captain of infantry, six who shall have the
rank and pay of first lieutenants mounted, and
six who shall have the rank and pay of second
lieutenants of infantry. 1t also provides the
enlisted force of that service shall be maintain
ed as hitherto upon duty, and not to exceed $50
sergeants, 30 corporals and 300 privates.
A communication was read from the Secre-
tary OF the Interior expressing the opinion that
the proposed reduction in the clerical force of
the several bureaus and offices of that depart
ment willtcr1pple the service and impair its use
fulness
Mr.. Logan moved to take up the House bill
to equaliZe the bounties of those who served in
the late war for the Union. Sargent and others
objected and the motion was withdrawn.
Mi. Spencer called up the Senate bill to limit
and fix the signal service, which was amended
and passed.
Mr.. Logan introduced bill for the issue of
silver coin and to make the silver dollar legal
tender. Ordered printed and to lie on the table.
Bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasu-
~ to make allowances for compensations to
collectors of Internal revenue who went out of
office prior to July s, 1875, upon final settle
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Anthony called attention to the error in
enrolling the sundry civil appropriation bill,
and said as passed the bill contained prOvis-
ion intended to abolish the office of Congress
sional Printer and establish an Office of public
printer. AS there was no such Office as public
printer, he supposed that the flee of Congress
sional Printer still existed. He moved the mat
ter be referred to the Committee on Apdropria-
lions. 1t was so ordered.
uIS hot 1,n Il
mission tomorrow to submit some remarks in
regard to discrepancies IN the statements of the
Treasury Department
Mr.. Sargent gave notice he would ask the
Senate to take the Hawaiian treaty in consid-
Grafton as early as possible.
Mr.. Ham,in gave notice he would take up the
post route bill as soon as the river and harbor
bill is disposed Of
The morning hour having expired the Senate
resumed the consideration of the river and har-
Dor bill, the pending question being on the
amendment OF Mr.. Mitchell, comforting upon
the U. s. Circuit Court for the district of Ore
gon jurisdiction to hear and determine proceed
iDgs for the condemnation of lands taken for
canals and locks and around cascades of the
Columbian river, Oregon. A lengthy discus
sion ensued as to the power of the federal gov
eminent to deprive state courts of such power
which was participated in by Messrs Mitchell
Kelley and Christiancy. The amendment was
then rejected, yeas 16, nays q.
MI. heley submitted an amendment author
izing the Secretary of War TO take possession
of the land, &c, after the title to the same
shall be procured by the United States under
tue laws of Oregon in such manner as the Leg
islature of that state shall prescribe. Reject
ed.
The amendment proposed by the committee
authorizing the use of the land. and providing
that the value thereof may be ascertained ia
JUG Tnouc provided 10y thru of -Qranon for
the condemnation of lands for public uses IN
that state, was then agreed to.
The amendments of the committee reducing
the appropriation for continuing work on ship
channel in Galveston bay, Texas, and for the
Improvement of the harbor at Racine, Wis,
were agreed to.
The committee reported an amendment to
strike out the second section authorizing sur
veys of rivers and harbors throughout the coun-
try, and insert in lieu thereof a section appro-
priating $4,000 for incidental repairs of har-
bors for which there is no special appropriation
provided by law, and for the examination and
survey of such rivers and harbors as in the
Judgment Of the Secretary of War shall SUBJ
serve the general interests of commerce.
Agreed to.