The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-15
Forty Fcurth Congress-First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, FEB. IL.
Mr. ingalls, introduced bill to protect agri-
culture against injurious insects. Referred to
Committee on Agriculture. He said that dur
ing the past year the actual loss from the raw
ages of the locust, chintz bugs, army and cot
ton worms and Hessian fly exceeded 5000, O00,-
000-from the locust alone the amodnt exceed
ed $50,000,000. In seven counties of Minneso-
ia nearly 1000 bushels of wheat were Destroy
ed at cost of $4,000. He believed the sub
ject was worthy the attention of Congress-
A bill granting the right of way to the Leav-
enworth Street Railway Company across the
Fort Leavenworth military reservation was
passed with amendments.
A resolution instructing the Judiciary Com
mittee to inquire into the expediency of estab-
fishing penitentiary upon the Fort Smith mill
itary reservation in Arkansas for the confine-
ment of United States prisoners. Agreed TO-
Mr.. Sargent called up the bill to grant right
OF way for railroad purposes through the Unit
ed States arsenal grounds near Benecia, Cali
fornia.
Mr.. Boutwell, moved 10 amend so as TO pro-
vide 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 United States. Referred to Committee on
Finance.
The bill was passed extending the time for
finishing the railroad from Portland, Oregon,
to MeMinerville, Astoria. 1t was amended so
that homestead settlers and private rights shall
be respected, and that Congress shall alter or
amend in the future if necessary.
A resolution to take from the files Of the
Senate and return to the State Department cop
les of various treaties which have already been
acted upon as presented, together with letter
from the Secretary of State requesting the re-
turn of such treaties. Agreed to-
The chair submitted the first bill on the cal
endar, being the Senate bill to increase the eff
Cheney of the and to mo
time interests of the United States, introduced
by Mr.. Boutwell,. 1t was passed over but al
lowed to retain its place on the calendar.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen called up the Senate bill
bill to amend certain provisions of the Revised
Statutes relating to the transportation of ami
mails The amendments reported by the Judi
ciary Committee as already published, were
agreed to. The bill having been considered az
in committee of the whole was reported to the
Senate. The question being on concurring in
the amendments made in committee they were
concurred in and the bill passed, yeas 30, NAYS
"a.
NaysnBayard Bogy, ,Caperton, Coekrell, Cooper.
Davis, Dennis, Eaton, English. Goldthwaite, Jones
aid, Merrimon, Norwood, Ransom, Salisbury, Stew
enson, Wallace, Whyte and Withers.
Messrs. Herman, Maxcey and Randolph voted
with the Republicans in the affirmative.
Mr.. Withers gave notice that tomorrow he
would ask the Senate to consider the bill to
amend the act granting pensions to certain SOL
diers and sailors of the war of 1872, and the
widows of deceased soldiers, approved Feb. IA,
1871, and to restore to the pension rolls those
persons whose names were stricken therefrom
in consequence of disloyaty.
Mr.. Harvey submitted a resolution that the
Secretary of War be directed to present to the
Senate such suggestions as he deemed expedi.
ent for public service. covering the period be-
tween May e9, 1869, and October 1. 1872, to en-.
able the government to carry out the provisions
0f the act rnpgtitutipu al oh don,
Tor all labOrers, workmen or mechanics employ.
ed by or on behalf of the government of the
United States, approved June 49, 1868.
MIR. Sherman said that the Secretary of the
treasury was the proper one to call upon for
the information. On request the resolution was
laid over till tomorrow.
Mr. English presented a petition of James
U. yelling and others. asking that all hooks in
other than the English, Latin and Greek Ian
guages be admitted free of duty. Referred to
the Committee on Finance
Mr. Cragin presented petition of George
y. Stevens, United States Navy, retired, asking
the passage of bill to authorize the President
to nominate him for the active list of the nayy
with the rank of captain. Referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs.
The Senate on motion of Mr.. Morton, pro.
ceeded to consider the resolution that P. B. S.
Pinchback be admitted as Senator from the
the state OF Louisiana, &c.
The pending question being en- the amend
ucut VI MI. EuInunuS TO 1nSerC the WORD not
before word "admtted," Mr.. Morton said that
If no other Senator desired to speak he would
reply to the argument last week against the adj
mission of Pinchback by the Senator from Ohio
(Thurman). No one taking the floor Mr.. Nor
ton proceeded. Before concluding he Welded
to motion for executive session.
The President pro tempore announced that
he had signed the bill to aid in the centennis;
celebration of American Independence.
The Senate then went into executive session
and at 30 o'clock the doors were reopened and
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Freeman of Penn, presented a petition
of the Board of Underwriters of Philadelphia.
praying that the disability which now rests M
on the insurance companies with reference 10
their statu, before the Court of Commission
ers on the distribution of the Geneva award
fund, be removed.
By Mr.. Harrison of ILL.,, for the repeal of the
resumption act and for the purpose of prepar-
ing way for the resumption of specie paw
ments. 1t directs the Secretary of the Treas
ury whenever national bank notes are with.
drawn from circulation, to issue in their, stead
an equal amount of u S. legal tender notes.
but he is not to issue them except when the
aggregate amount of unredeemed legal tender
notes and of national bank notes in circulation
are less than the aggregate amount of both