The Portland daily press., 1876-04-14
Forty Fourth Congress-Ffrst Session.
SENATE.


Mr.. Anthony presented the petition of the
congressional printer setting forth that his Off
cial bond is $50, 900, upon which he is allowed
to draw 900 per month, that the monthly
pay roll of his office is nearly double that sum,
and that he has been in the habit of paying
employees from money received from sales of
paper, &C., until the accounts could be audited
at the tseasury, when the money was returned
to the sale account. He asks that disbursng
officer be appointed for the Office Referred to
the Committee on Printing.
The Senate bill to amend section 5546 R. S. of
the United States providing for imprisonment
and transfer of United States prisoners was
passed
Mr.. Boutwell, presented memorial of the
Merchants Association of Lowell, Mass, in
favor of the metric system of weights and
measures. Referred to the Committee on FL
nance.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont called up the House
bill to provide for the separate entry of pack
ages contained in one importation. Passed.
The Senate proceeded to consider bills on the
calendar not objected to, and several were
passed.
The bill to amend the law relating to the
legal tender of silver coin, on motion of Mr..
Sherman, was recommitted to the Committee
on Finance
Mr.. ingalls, of Kansas, from the Committee
on the District of Columbia, reported back the
invitation of the committee of citizens having
in charge the ceremony of defeating the Lin
coin statute tomorrow, and stated that seats
have been provided at the park by the commit
tee. The statue, it was said, was work of art
worthy OF the subject and was procured in
Italy by the colored people of the country. He
submitted resolution directing the Sergeant
alarms to make suitable arrangements for the
emonies. Agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. ingalls, it was ordered that
when the Senate adjourned to-day it be to meet
Monday meet
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of unfinished business, being the bill authoriz-
ing the requirement. of Pennsylvania avenue in
Washington, pending amendment being to in
sert the words, ''bock or cobblestones," so that
the commission appointed by the bill to select
and determine the best kind of pavement shall
exclude wood block or cobblestone.
The amendment was discussed by Conkling,
Whyte, Withers. Merrimon and Hitchcock.
After discussion the pending amendment was
rejected. Several others were proposed and
some adopted, others rejected. Among those
adopted was one directing the President of the
United States to detail the commission to select
material, have charge of the work, &C., Gen.
Humphreys Wright and Gilmore, Engineer
Corps q. s. A., being named as members of
the commission.
Pending discussion the chair laid before the
Senate the report of the Secretary of the Smith
sonian Institution for the year 1875. Ordered
printed.
The House bill making an appropriation to
supply deficiencies in appropriations for the
year ending June 30, 1876, and for former years
was referred to the Committee on Appropria-
tions.
The Senate at 440 went into executive ses-
sion and after a short time adjourned until
Monday.
EOUSE.
Mr.. Thomas introduced joint resolution in
regard to surplus revenue Referred to the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Walling, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported bacS the bill TO authorize
claimants on even numbered sections of land
within the 20 mile limit of the Northern Paci.
nc Il. H., to make proof of payment for their
claims at the minimum rate of $1.25 an acre.
passed
Mr.. Kidder, from the same committee, re-
ported bill granting land to Dakota, Monta-
ma, Idaho and Wyoming, for university pur
poses. Referred to Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Sayler reported the bill to confirm pre-
emption and homestead entries. Passed.
Mr. Moore reported a bill concerning public
lands in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and
Louisiana.
Pending its consideration the, morning hour
expired.
Mr. Is Scales moved to go into Committee of
the Whole on the bill to transfer the Indian
Bureau to the War Department.
Mr. Randall moved to amend by going into
committee on the legislative appropriation BILL
Mr.. Scales motion was agreed to. Yeas
1873, nays SO.
Mr.. Cook concluded his speech of yesterday
in favor of the transfer.
Mr.. Seelye spoke against the BILL He argued
tnat the government must enter on a course of
treatment with the Indians that would
bring them under knowledge of the rights
and the fulfllment of the obligations Of
Christian civilization. Civilization had never
been planted by an army except indirectly.
He quoted the statement of Gen. Sherman
tnat, IL we intend to have war with the In
dams the bureau should go to the Secretary of
war; II we intend to have peace 1t should be
civil department" He thought it would be
Gimcait to put the whole question in clearer
llget tnan IN the simple words of that distIn-
guished soldier: He took issue with the advo-
Gates of the bill on the score of economy. and
he affirmed that the present administration of
Indian affairs was vastly more economical
tnan there was any expectation 1t would be in
the War Department..
Mr., Hooker advocated the transfer of the
Indians to the War Department. In reply to
the speech of Mr.. Seelye, he quoted the report
OF the House commission in 1868, to the effect
that Indian agents had pocketed the appropria-
tons made by the government for the Indians,
and had driven them to starvation, and that it
could not be doubted that Indian wars had
originated from that cause; also that the same
commission had recommended the transfer
of the Indian bureau to the War d. plrtmeut.
Without action the committee rose.
The House at 4.30 took recess
Evening Session,
The legislative appropriation bill was under
consideration. Amendments were made con-
tinuing the independent treasury at Baltimore.
Other amendments Offered were all rejected.
and after progressing as far as page 81 on the
bill the committee rose and the House ad.
journed to Saturday.
Freight Rates.
CINCINNATI, April 13.-The following freight
rates take effect today:
10 Few York, fourth class, including bulk
meats, 80; flour So; grain and malt 20; boxed
meats 49,
TO Baltimore, fourth class, including ,Sulk
meats d: flour a. urai,, nd ,,aalt 90. Lal.-ad