The Portland daily press., 1876-05-09
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 8.
AT II O'Clock the Senate was called to order.
communication from the Secretary of War;
enclosing letter from Adjntant Vincent stat
ing that the appropriation Of $4,000 for the
Freedmen's Bureau branch of the Adjutanu
Generals Office for bountes etc., need not be
made for the ensuing fiscal yeaI was received.
Mr.. Sargent submitted resolution setting
forth the injury resulting from Chinese immi-
grafton and instructing the Committee.on Com
merce to consider the subject and report bill
placing adequate restrictions on the immigra-
tion of Chinese to this country. Agreed to.
The consideration of legislative business was
suspended and the impeachment trial resumed.
HOUSE.
Bills, &c, were introduced and referred as
follows:
By Mr.. blair of New Hampshire, to facilitate
the sale and settlement of public lands granted
to aid in the construction of railroads and lines
of telegraph.
By Mr. Grape of Massachusetts, a resolution
OF the legislature of Massachusetts asking the
release of Edward O'M. Condor.
By Mr. Randall of Pennsylvania, for the is.
sue of coin.
By Mr.. Robbins, in relation to a uniform
system of bankruptcy.
By Mr. Clark OF Kentucky, providing for the
appointment of assistant naval constructors by
the President of the United States.
By Mr.. Whiting of Illinois, to amend the in
ternal revenue law relating to the taxation of
distilled spirits.
By Mr.. Garfield of Illinois, fixing the time Of
redemption ofland sold by decree in chancery
and in federal courts.
ByMr Wells of Wisconsin, providing for the
issue OF subsidiary silver coin; also to enable
the purchasers of railroads that were authoriz-
ed to be constructed by Congress to form cor
porations and define their rights and powers,
Mr.. Hale of Maine offered a resolution direct
m m off ho o1,orn cd
with investigation to conduct such investiga-
ton with open doors while ans testimony was
being taken. Rejected, SO to 81.
Mr. Hale then moved to refer the resolution
to the Judiciary Committee with instructions
TO report.
Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania asked if that
motion was Invisible.
The Speaker (Cox) moved that it was not
vote.
Mr.. Hale's motion was rejected Yeas 95,
nays Ill.
Mr.. Sayler of Ohio asked leave to offer
resolution requesting the executive departments
OF the government to report to the House what
objections there are to making obligatory in all
government transactions the metrical system of
weights and measures, and also stating what
objections there are to making the metrcal
system obligatory in all transactions between
individuals, and also what is the earliest date
that can be set for the obligatory use of the
metrical system throughout the United States
bankers and merchants.
Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania objected to its
present consideration.
Mr.. Paine of Ohio, from the Committee on
Civil Service Reform, offered resolution d.
recting the Committee on Ways and Means to
make thorough investigation into the man.
agement of the custom house at the port Of
New York, and the changes and reforms nee
essary to meet effectually and enforce the laws
for collection Of custom revenues: Adopted.
Mr.. Wells of Mississippi asked leave to refer
a resolution directing the Secretary of War to
issue 100000 rations to sufferers from the late
overflow in the state of Mississippi Objected
to.
On motion of Mr. Wood of New York the
Committee of the Whole were discharged from
further consideration of the bill to carry into
effect the provisions of the treaty with the Hi.
wailan Islands, and the House proceeded to it's
consideration.
Speeches against the bill were made by
Messrs. Thomas of Maryland and Tucker of
Virginia.
Mr.. Wood of New York closed the debate
with speech in support of the BILL
The bill was then passed. Yeas 116, nays
l0l. Its provisions have been frequently pub
lished.
Mr.. Ellis of Louisiana, from the committee
on Mississippi leyees, reported a bill on that
SUBJECT and it was made the special order for
the 18th of May.
Mr.. Conger of Michigan was appointed on
the select committee oH federal offices in Lou
lslana in place of Grape, excused
Mr.. Holman of Indiana made an Intellectual
effort to have an evening session for the post
office appropriation bill.
The House at $50 adjourned with the under
standing that no business will be transacted
tomorrow.