The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-06-09
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, ID. o., une 8.
The motion to take up the resolution to pay
Pinchback compensation and mileage of Sena
tor for the time he was contestant was lost
yeas 49, nays 10
Mr.. West trom the Committee on Appro-
prations, reported with amendments the bill
making appropriations for the post-office de-
partment, and gave notice that he would call it
up tomorrow Placed on the calendar
Mr.. Gordon, from the Com mittee on Military
Affairs, reported favorably on the Senate bill
to authorize an Increase in the number of Off
GERS of the army detailed to teach military tao
tics throughout the country, with an amend
ment increasing the number iof tsuch Off
GERS kfrom 40 to 80. The amendment was
agreed to and the bill passed.
Mr.. Howe from the Library Committee, re-
ported bill to provide for the construction of
a new building for the library of Congress.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. ConkliDg called up the Senate bill relat-
ing to the jurisdiction of circuit courts of the
United States in issuing injunctons. The bill
passed.
Mr.. Maxey called up the resolution to pro.
vide for an investigation as to the bonds issued
by certain railroad companies predicatad upon
the conditional grants of the lands of indians
in Indian Territory, etc. Agreed to.
MIR Sherman from the Conference Commit
tee on the bill authorizing the appointment of
receivers OF national banks and for other pur.
poses, made report which was agreed to.
At the expiration of the morning hour the
consideration of the bill to amend laws relat-
ing to legal tender and silver coin, known as
the silver bill, was taken up amp Mr. Morrill, of
Vermont spoke at length against the bill as re-
ported by the committee Oh france.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont read lengthy argu-
ment against the bill.
Mr.. Booth followed on the same side
Mr.. Sherman said the bill was very small
measure intended to meet temporary necessi-
ty. 1t simply restored the old silver dollar aud
made it a legal tender for currency contracts to
the extent of 500. There was nothing in the
bill but an attempt to CRAFTY the wish of peo-
pie OF the United States to have silverj money
in exchange for notes.
Mr.. Bogy believed silver should be made a
legal tender for all debts. At proper time he
proposed to modify the amendment recently
submitted by him so as have one half of the du-
ties on imports paid in silver. though he adj
hered to the principle that all Ssuch duties
should be paid in silver, and he proposed to
modify his amendment so as to have the rela-
tive value between gold and silver 16 to 1 in
stead of u to 1. The bill was postponed till
the Goth.
The chairman laid before the Senate mes
sage from the President, enclosing the report
of the board of army officers appointed to test
iron, steel and other metals. Ordered printed
and referred to the Committee on ApPropria-
tious
The House bill to authorize claimants upon
even numbered sections Of lands within twenty
mile limits of the Northern Pacific Railroad to
make proof and payment for claims at ordinary
minimum rate of 81 % per acre, was recommit-
ted.
The Senats at 8 o'clock went into executive
session, and when the doors were opened adj
iourned.
HOUSE.
The poste route bill was taken up and pass
The bill! to prevent postal straw.bids was
passed.
Mr. Knott, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported bill prescribing oaths to be taken by
grand and petit Jurors in U. S. Courts In the
course OF discussion it was explained that this
law proposed to repeal the iron clad oath.
Attention was called by Mr.. Hoar of Mass,
to the fact that under this bill forbidding any
other oath than that prescribed to be admins
tered, conspirators could sit upon juries in the
trial OF their co-conspirators, so that members
of the whisky ring at Milwaukee and else
where might sit on grand and petit juries.
Knott suggested in reply that in empannel-
ling jury it would be competent for the court
to PROFOUND the question whether the juror
did belong to any such ring or association.
Hoar denied this aud said that through in ,d-
vertence certainly this bill violated one of the
great principles underlying the administration
of Justice.
The morning hour expired and the bill went
over till tomorrow. Mr.. Lord Of New York
took the floor to call up the Geneva award bill
but yielded to Mr.. Blaine in relation to the mo-
ton which he made yesterday to reconsider the
vote by which testimony taken before the Ju
dietary Committee was ordered to be printed.
He wanted to have embodied in the proceed
ings the despatch received by Knott from J.
Caldwell in London; also what took placen
committee yesterday. HunuoD said he had no
objection, but objection was made by Southland
anG then Lord called up the Geneva award bill
on which Monroe submitted some remarks.
After Tarboxs personnel explanation aud the
ensuing colloquoy published in another col
umn] House went into the consideration of the
Geneva award bill and was addressed by Mr.
McCrary.
At the close Of McCrary's speech the House
on motion of Mr.. Singleton agreed to a com.
mittee OF conference ON the consular and di-
plomatc bill and Singleton, Randall and Wal
dron were appointed.
House at 4 80 took a recess.
No business was transacted at the evening
session, only two members appearing.