Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-15

SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington, February IA.
MIR. ingalls, introduced bill to protect agri-
culture against injurious insects. Referred to the
committee on Agriculture.
Mr.. Sargent called up the bill to grant right
OF way for railroad purposes through the L. S.
arsenal grounds near Benecia, CAL
Mi. Boutwell, moved to amend so as to provide
that Congress have the right at any time to alter.
amend or repeal the act; agreed to, and the bill
was passed as amended.
! Mr.. Conkling introduced bill to facilitate the
transit of merchandise from Canada through the
territory OF the nited States. Referred to CO n
mittcc on Finance.
The bill wa, passed extending the time for finish
ing the railroad from Portland, Oregan, 10 Nc
Mineiville, Astoria. II was amended SO that
homestead settlers and private rights shall be re-
spected.
The Senate then went into executive session,
and at 4.30 o'clock the doors were re-opeued and
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Freeman of Pennsylvania presented PEE
tltion of the board of underwriters of Philadel-
phia praying that the disability which now rests
upon the insurance companies, with reference to
the status before the court Of commissioners on
the distribution Of the Geneva award fund be re-
moved.
Mr.. Scales OF N. c., offered resolution calling
on the Secretary of the Interior for information
rs to the disposition made of $4,000 appropriated
fer captive indians. Adopted.
Mr.. jerks Of Pa, offered resolution instruct
ing the committee on invalid pensions to institute
inquiry into the management OF the bureau OF
pensions. Adopted.
Mr.. Riddle OF Tenn, offered a resolution in
structing the Secretary of War TO report the az
gregate amount of claims allowed and rejected in
the bureaus Of quarterma ,tcr- general aud COM
missa1y general OF subsistence for the States of
lEdisna, ONO and Pennsylvania; also the aggre
gate amount of Ike claims allowed and rejected
i'll the Southern States, to which the law of July
4, 1874 applies. Adopted.
Mr.. Plat Of n u. offered resolution instruct
ing the committee on Printing to inquire whether
there had been such material alteration Of tue Of
Ical debates OF Congress. as to require action by
the House, aud whether remarks had been alter
Or suppressed by other than the members making
them. Adopted.
Mr.. Leavenworth of n. Y, offered resolution
calling on the heads of departments for full stat
meut OF all buildings and grounds in Washington,
rented for the use Of the respective departments,
their rent &c. Adopted.
Mr.. Morrison Of LII. offered a resolution calling
on the Secretary Of the Treasury for information
as to the fraudulent imporiations of wool.
Adopted.
Mr.. Hale Of Me-, moved to suspend the rules
and adopt the following resolution
Whereas, The currency now in use among the
people Of the [ nited States consists Of National
bank notes and greenbacks, the latter being the
debt of the government widely distributed among
the greenbacks and subject to ike fluctuations
with it. And
Whereas. the United States Treasury has thus
far failed to meet its obligations and to redeem its
notes, thereby depreciating the value of the peo-
pies money, and keeping 1t at a large discount
which depreciation varies from day to day. caus-
ing risk and uncertainty in business affairs, to the
great prejudice of all legitimate industry and en-
tefprise, and
Whereas, as Congress by its enactments, and
both political parties by resolutions adopted in
their several National conventions, stand commit
ted to an early resumption of specie payments
therefrom.
Resolved, That prompt measures should be ia
ken BY such legislation as is needed to render eff
fective the policy of resumption of specie pay
ment, by placing in the hands of the Secretary of
the Treasury all necessary powers to carry out
said object to the end, that sound and staple cur.
rency may be provided for the people.
Mr.. Morrison suggested that the resolution be
referred to the committee on Banking and Cur
rency.
Mir IIale-I think it better to have an express
sion of opinion of the House. Now want to see
whether caucusng has done our friends on the
other side Of the House any good. The motion to
suspend the rules and adopt the resolution was
lost. yeas Sc, nays l37.
The vote was pretty near party one, although
there we've some deviations from that rule.
On the motion of Mr.. Kelley of Pa, it was Or
dered that Saturday next be set apart exclusively
for debate, the understanding being that Mr.. kel.
ley is to make speech in reply TO Mr.. Blaine,
and that Mr.. Chittenden Of \. T., is to precede
him in his speech on finance.
The House at 800 adjourned.