Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-13
FORTY.FIFTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec

WASHINGTON. December II.
A great portion of the morning hour was con
snmed in the presentation OF petitions and bills.
A bill was introduced by Morrill, of Vermont to
provide for a commission on the subject of alco-
holic liquor traffic.
Edmunds submitted a resolution authorizing a
select committee TO take into consideration the
state of the law respecting ascertaining and dec
afation of the,resut Of the election for President
and Vice President Of the United States; also the
best manner Of electing them, and the duration Of
terms of service. Agreed to.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
resolution declaring the right of government to
pay bonds ia silver
Chafice submitted substitute as follows That
all bonds OF the United States, issued or author
lied TO be issued under said acts of Congress here
toforc recited, are payable at the option of gov.
ernme Mt in coin of gold or silver, standard value
when such bonds were issued; and to restore to
its coinage such silver coin as legal tender, CO.
equal with gold. is not in violation OF the public
faith, derogation of the rights of the publ c
creditors. Ordered printed.
Morgan spoke in favor of the resolution and
Chr istiancy against IL.
Dawes from the committee on public buildings
and grounds, reported adversely on the petition
from the friends of female suffrage, asking they
be allowed the use of the Senate chamber some
time in January, to present arguments before the
committee on privileges and elections, in favor of
10Th amendment graut ing female suffrage.
Sargent tIom the committee on naval aft iii 8,
reported favorably on the Senate bill TO regulate
the expenditures in the navy. Passed.
ALSO the Senate bill authorizing general &C.
count of advances for naval appropriations
Passed
Sarge ut also reported from the same committee
adversely on the senate bill to equslz. the pay OF
Re ar Admirss on The retired list, and II was in
definitely postponed.
| Davis submitted resolution recting the sec
tons of the revised statutes in regard to the or
| ~ n N ma
appropriation for arming and tqripping such mil
| ila, &C. and calling upon the Secy of War TO lie
port TO the Senate the coDd ition and strength o
the mi lit in the several states, together with any
recommendations he may Gave 10 make looking
TO more thorough organization of the militia
the amount Of money disbursed to the various
States, what amount is now due any State, and if
any State has been excluded from the benefits OF
the law and for how long, and IN his opinion the
annual appropriation for equipping and arming
the militia should be increased.
Ordered printed, and Davis gave notice That ne
would call it up for action at early day.
The Nce-President appointed Allison a con-
suting trustee Of the Reform School of the Dist.
of Columbia, in place Of Hitchcock, his term of
service having expired.
He also laid before the Senate communication
from the Sec'y of the Interior, in answer TO the
Senate resolution of the 10th inst, enclosing re-
port from the Commissioner General of the land
office. as 10 the number of miles of the Oregon
completed and the number of acres of public land
patented to that company.
Referred to the committee on railroads.
Jones, from the committee on naval affrirs, re-
ported with amendments the Senate bill to au-
thorze the Sec'y of the Navy to transfer to the
Sec'y of the Interior, for the entry and sale, all
lands in Florida not needed for naval p II poses.
Placed on the calendar.
Also from the same committee, without amend
meat the Senate bill to retrocede the State OF
FLORIDA jurisdiction over the lands reserved for Q
dockyard in the county of Escamba.
Placed on the calendar.
Anthony called up the joint resou' on suthoriz-
ing Commander f. .. Matthews of the navy to
accept gift from the Emperor of siam. Passed.
On motion of Allison the Senate insisted upon
its amendments to the deficiency appropriation
bill.
A committee of conference was ordered, and
Messrs. Sargent, Dorsey aud Beck were appointed
committee on the part of the Senate.
The Senate then went into executive session.
Adjourned.