The Portland daily press., 1876-02-29
Fcrty Fourth Cougress-First Session.
SENATE

EGrJJ .ECurth C0ugreSS-FIfSC session.
SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 49,
The chair laid before abe Senate communi-
cation from the Secretary of War, enclosing
report from the chief of ordnance in regard to
an omission in the Revised Statutes and recon-
mending such legislation SS will enable the ord
nance department to continue in use the sys-
tenn of proper accountability. Referred to tho
Committee on Military.
Mr.. Jones presented the credentials of his
colleague from Nevada for six years from Mar
4th, 1875. and they were read. The oath was
administered and he took his seat
Mr.. Wright from the Civil Service aud Re-
trenchment Committee, reported favoraby on
the Senate bill fixing the salary OF the Presi-
dent of the United States. Placed on the cal
endar.
Several bills were introduced and referred.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, submitted resolution
that during the present session it shall be in Or
der at any time to move recess, and pending
consideration of an appropriation bill debate
may be limited to five minute speeches on any
one amendment. Laid over till tomorrow at
the request of Mr. West
The Senate took up the House bill to amend
the act of March Sd, 1875, to enable the people
of Colorado to form constitution and state
government and for the admission of said state
into the Union on an equal footing with the
original states
Mr.. Hitchcock said the object of the bill was
to enable the people who had acquired resi-
dence in the territory since the enabling act
was passed to vote upon the constitution in
July next. The bill also appropriates a sufi-
Gent sum to pay the expenses of the consttu-
tional convention.
Mr. Morrill, of Maine was not aware of any
precedent for appropriating money to pay the
expenses of constitutional convention.
Mr.. Sargent moved to strike out the second
section which made the appropriation, and af-
ter discussion the motion was lost, yeas 20,
nays 81. The bill was then passed.
Mr. Cameron presented petition of citizens
of Pennsylvania, formerly soldiers in the Union
army, in favor of the passage of law allow
| ing bountS of 49, SO per mouth for the time of
service. Referred to the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
Also petitions of the citizens of PENNSYLVANIA
in favor OF bounty to the soldiers and sailors
of the war of 1872. Referred to the Committee
on Pensions.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
diminished business, being the bill making an
appropriation for the support of the military
academy for the fiscal year ending June Both,
1877, the pending question being on the first
amendment reported by the Committee on APP
preparations, (for additional pay of professors
| for length of service $6800) and it was agreed.
| to-yeas 81, nays II.
The next amendment reported by the COM
mittee (for pay of one instructor of practical
military engineering in addition to the pay as
| LIST lieutenant 5000 was agreed to-yeas q,
nays 10.
The question then being on amendments re-
ported by the committee appropriating $500
| extra pay for one instructor of ordnance, $4,000
torpay OF eight assistant professors in addition
| to their pay as LIST lIeuenants, $500 for extra
pay OF four assistant instructors in tactics, and
| $500 for extra pay of the Adjutant, Mr. Eaton
| said the people of the country demanded re-
| trenchment in every branch of the service.
Ihere were today in the city of New York 3d.
| O0O men, women and children out of employ
ment, asking aims and supported by charity.
He desired to say to the Senate that the people
demanded retrenchment, and for one, he would
do what he believed his duty. These expendi-
| lures were small drops of water they were
small, but they made up the full glass.
After discussion the amendments reported
| by the committee above mentioned were agreed
| to-yeas 30, nays II.
The next amendment reported by the COM
| mlttee was to strike out of the House bill the
| following: For sixteen musicians for compa-
| MES $2496, provided that sections and ten of
| the act approved March 8, 1876 entitled an act
| making appropriations to supply the deficien-
| ces in the appropriations for the fiscal years
| ending June 30, 1876. and prior years, and for
other purposes, be and the same are hereby re-
peaed, ard insert in lieu thereof the following:
For pay of the Military Academy's band $14,-
| $50.
Mr.. Davis said this amendment reported by
| the committee authorized the expenditure Of
$14, $50, while the clause in the House bill,
which it waslproposed to strike out. authorized
templated the employment of only 16 persons
| as musicians, but the Senate amendment would
necessitate the employment of 40. The total
amount appropriated by this bill as it came
from the House was $3.50, 231. The amend
ments proposed by the Senate committee on
| appropriations increased that amount $46,714,
making total of $305, 945 The West Point
bill OF last year appropriated 1864 .740, and for
the previous year $3.50 1886.
| Mr., Logan-There should be pride enough in
| Congress to have at least one band in the ser
vice. The people would begin to think the
/ members OF Congress had no music in their
| souls and were tit for treason, stratagems and
| spoils (laughter) The latter day saints OF
| economy, 1t seemed, wanted to drive music out
Ut the country, and he supposed they wanted
| to drive poetry out also. AT the centennial ex-
hibition in Philadelphia the government should
certainly have one band. If it had not, what
would foreigners say of US? he felt ashamed
| to see the band at West Point disbanded. He
would not say the men advocating such econo-
| my were demagogues but he would say that if
l he were to stand up before the country and ad-
vocate such economy he would be dema-
gogue.
After further discussion, the Senate at 415
O'Clock, on motion of Mr.. Edmunds, went into
executive session, and after a short time ad-
| journed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kerr, having returned, occupied the
Speakers chair.
| Mr.. Cox of New York presented a memorial
| of the New York Chamber of Commerce rela-
| tive to national finances.
Among the executive documents submitted
| by the Speaker was communication from the
Attorney Ut neral in response to Mr.. Lords
resolution calling for an explanation of his or
| der touching the testimony of accomplices in
| the whiskey prosecution. The Attorney Gen.
eral states that such instructions as he issued
were merely in confirmation and approval of
| the arrangements already made and that as
| those instructions and arrangements relate to
| matters now in progress the House would read
| lily see the propriety of Withholding special
information relating thereto until the trials are
over.
| Mr.. Lord moved that the Judiciary inquire
what had induced the writing of the Attorney
Generals letter. He thought that the inquiry
| should come within the scope of the investiga-
| ton. 1t was an extraordinary letter and was
perhaps adapted to an extraordinary occasion.
| The Judiciary Committee should report to the
| House all the circu instances connected with it,
| and therefore he suggested that an inquiry
should be made of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, as well as the Attorney General. The mat
ter was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
| MIR. Swami of MARYLAND, from the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs, reported a resolution
| lnstructing that committee to inquire further
into the connection of the U. S. minister to the
court OF st. James with the Emma mine So
| called, with power to senp for persons and
papers, and with leave to sit during the session
| of the House.
Resolutions were introduced as follows:
| By Mr.. Odell appropriating $4,000 for a
| monument in commemorati0n of the capture
| of Major Andre in the town of Greeneburg, N.
| Y.
By Mr.. Willis of New York to simplify the
| existing laws imposing duties on imports; also
to restore the duty on tea and coffee and to en-
| large the free lists.
By Mr. Williams, to repeal the act for the
| resumption of specie payment. He tried to
have immediate action upon it, but not being
| able to do so under the rules, he withdrew it,
! Mr.. Morrison moved to adjourn. Carried,
ll0 to ia, and the House at 255 adjourned.
F 0 r e 1 q N.