The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-11
XLVth Congress--Regular Session,
-
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.

District of Columbia nstructing that com mittee to
enquire and report by bill or otherwise proper form
OF government for the District.
bill was offered by Mr.. Sargent, to restrict the
immigration of the Chinese.
One by Mr. Christiancy. to regulate elections and
the elective franchise in Utah.
Mr.. Wadleigh chairman OF the Election Commit
tee, galled up the resolution declaring Eusts en-
titled to a seat from the State of Louisiana from
January 18th, 1876 for the term ending March Sd OF
the same year.
report, spoke in opposition TO the resolution, claim
ing that the papers presented by Eustis were de-
fective.
After brief discussion it was decided to admit
Eustis by vote of 4S yeas to nays, and he was
sworn in The nays were Messrs. Allison Cameron
of Wis, Hamin, Howe, Ingalls,, Mcmillan, Morrill,
Mr.. Mcdonald of Ind, said it had been his inten-
tention TO offer resolutions in respect to the memory
and public services of his late colleague (MortOn)
before the Christmas holidays, but on consultation
with other Senators and various members OF the
House he had concluded not to present such resou-
tons until after the recess. He therefore gave no.
tce that he would submit them on the 1lth OF JAN
uary,
Mr.. Anthony submitted a concurrent resolution to
print the colonial charters and constitution as au-
thorzed to be complied by late resolution of the
Senate. Referred to the Committee on bringing.
He also submitted a resolution authorizing the
committee to pay the of $1,000 for the prepara-
ton of the work. Agaeed to.
The Vice President announced Messrs Anthony,
Sargent and WHITE as members OF the joint COM
mlttee on the part OF the Senate.
He also appointed Mr., Sargent director of the
lumbia, and Messrs. Cameron of Pa and Bayard
members of the board of visitors on the part OF the
Senate, to attend the next annual examination at
West Point Academy.
Mr. Cockrel from the select committee on Misss-
sippi levees, reported with amendments the House
joint resolution relating to reservoirs to promote
navigation on the Mississippi river. Placed on the
calendar.
MIR. Mcdonald, at his own request, was excused
rem further service on the committee on territories
and Mr. Jones of Florida at his request, excus-
ed from further service on the committee on public
buildings and grounds Inc VICE PRESIDENT was au
thorzed to fill the vacancies, and appointed Mr..
Eustis.
The Vice President then laid before the Senate a
special order, being bill to enable Indians to be-
come citizens of the United States
MIR. ingalls,, who has charge of the bill, said he had
been spoken to by several Senators who desired
more'time to consider it, and there fore moved it be
made special order for the 18th OF January 1t was
SO ordered.
yer was then taken up and Matthews made a long
speech inits support.
Mr.. Conkliug said he wished to submit an amend
ment before the reference Of Mr.. Matthews resou
ton and that to strike out the words BE it re-
solved by the Senate the House of Representatives
concurring theren) and insert IN lieu thereof the
words "Resolved by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives" He said his purpose to make it
joint resolution instead of concurrent resolution, so
that if it adopted it would go to the President
for his signature. The national executive had de-
posted with him one sixth of the legislative power
and in case Of such Importance as this he thought
there shonld be expression OF the full legislative
power.
| Mr.. Thurman argued that it was perfectly compe-
opinion as to what was the law Of the land, and it
was perfectly cmpetent for the two Houses of Con-
gress to do SO by concurrent resolution, and il
Congress entertained an opinion as to an exist
state Of the law, that opinion should not be nullfed
by vote of the President. He wanted everybo dy to
understand the opinion of Congress and then the
President might do as he saw tit hereafter. but he
did not ask the President for his opinion now.
Mr.. Edmunds said the question with him at pres.
emit was what would be the effect of the passage Of
Il this rel0utiOu the Dubc CreQitY 1t PROPOSED
to declare the opuion of the two houses OF Congress-
not as law, and what effect would that have upon
| the actual condition OF things Such a resolu-
ton this would not inure the rich bondholds rs.
The bloated bondholder generally able to take
Of himself, but it would innre the widow, the
orphan and the laborng classes who had inves ted
money in government bonds, and enable spectators
and gamblers to speculate on the public credit. He
| favored the amendment of the Senator from New
York.
Senate, and If there had been any financial leglsa-
ton for the benefit of The widow and orphan and la
boring classes, he failed to zee it.
Thurman argued that the reconciliation of silver
would not be an injury 10 the government but
l Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont moved rio efer it to the
Committee on Judiciary as it involved question Of
l law.
Pending discussion molten to adjourn was car
Fied-yeas 30 nays 2S.
HOUSE
Bills were introduced and referred as follows /:
BY Mr. Hale Of Maine to relieve certain ships
from compulsory pilot fees; also providing Tor YES
sells Of the United States hailing from places where
| they are owned or built.
By Mr.. Joyce of Vermont, adjusting salaries Of
postmasters on basis of the number Of stamps
celed instead of on the number of stan ps sold also
resolution proposing an amen1menti to the conSti-
tuition providing that the term Of office of the Presi
dent be six years. also joint resolution in relation
to the contest between Spain and Cuba. .,,..,,,
board Of commissioners for the United States navy
By Mr.: Willis of New York, for securing and ex-
tendieg the export trade of the United States also
simplifying existing laws empowering and collecting
duties imports, removing all antiquities there
from, reducing rates on imported merchandise, re-
storing the duty on tea and coffee and charging the
free list
By Mr.. Thompson of Pennsylvania, directing the
Secretary of the Interior to institute proceedings
test and perfect title, Of certain lands alleged to
have been conditionally granted to the Northern
By Mr.. Saunders of Connecticut, appropriating
$2500O0 for the completion of the post Office building
/ in Hartford, ct.
BY Mr. Money of Mississippi, exempting employees
in the postal service from militia and Jury service.
BY Mr.. Turner of KY, reducing the salaries Of
certain public officials 1t provides for reduction
of 25 per cent Of all salaries exceeding $500.
By Mr.. Crittenden OF Mo, appropriating $4,000
tor the removal of snags from the Mississippi, Mis-
/ souri, and Ohio rivers.
By Mr.. Rea of Mo-. proposing an am eudment to
the constitution providing for the election of Seua
tors by direct vote Of the people.
By. Mr.. Giddings of Texas for the construction OF
railroad along the Rio Grande, for the purpose Of
establishing military and commercial highway.
BY Mr.. Luttrell of Cal, relative to Chinese immi-
l grafton. 1t requests the treaty making power to
negotiate treaty absolutely prohibiting the intro
| ductlon of Chinese.
By Mr.. Page of CAL. constituting Oakland, CAL, a
By Mr.. Jacobs of Washington Territory, to form a
| state government.
rules of the House SO that it will only be in order tn
suspend the rules report the I'd and 4th Monday
in each month and during the last six days of the
| session.
Mr.. Atkins Of Tenn. asked consent to offer reso-
luton calling on the heads of departments for re-
ports whether the requirements in regard to the
| honrs of business had been complied with
| since March 1877, and if not, why not.
/ Mr.. Conger objected.
Mr.. Wood, chairman of the committee on WAYS and
means reported the usual resolution for the disri-
button of the Presidents annual message among the
various committees.
The subjects referred to the committee on foreign
affairs are the war between Russia end Turkey the
United States and Italy, questions as to naturaza-
| ton and commerce between the United States and
Germany the French exposition the exradition arti
ces Of the treaty OF 1912 between the United States
and Great Britain, treaty with Great Britain for
protection OF trade marks, recognition Of President
Diaz of Mexico, and the difficulties on the Rio
Grande border, the insurrection in Cuba and the
interference therein with the rights of American cit
liens and other unsettled questions with SPAIN the
unsettled claims of American citizens against Vene
zuela, the relations with the Central and South
American states and the proposed recognition Of
the government of the Samoan Islands.
MIR. Hewitt of New York moved to amend the
resolution in reference to the committee on foreign
affairs by adding to it these words, Sand that the
committee on foreign affairs take into immediate
consideration the best means Of removing the ex-
isting and impending causes OF difficulty between
Mexico and the United States, and of confirming
ana enlargng the commercial relations between the
two countries by means of treaty or otherwise and
have leave report the result of their deliberations
by resolution or otherwise to the House at the
earliest practicable day."
Mr.. Hewitt said: "The peculiar language en-
poyed by the President in speaking of this matter
attracted my attention when the message was read
venture to call the attention of the House to the
peculiar phraseology employed. He then read that
portion of the Presidents Message relating to Mex
lean affairs.
MIR. Hale OF Maine--I hope that the amendment
offered by the gentleman from New York (Hewitt)
will be adopted 1t is in the tight direction. have
for years past had uneasness about this question of
the Mexican border and about the danger of this
country's beng embroed in needless quarrel with
Mexico. To my mind all reasons lie in favor of a
peaceful policy there. By firmness we assert
and maintain our rights, but the country does not
want war on any issue that had been raised that
is likely to be raised.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas agreed it was not we'll to
invoke war; and that 1t was the duty of the govern
ment Qf the way was open) to resort to peaceful
modes and to improve the commercial and friendly
relations of the United States and Mexico, rather
than resort to any plan looking to He init
mated however that the existence of what is known
as the "free zone'' in Mexico was an obstacle to
commercial intercourse.
Mr.. Cox Of New York, member of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, stated that the committee had
under consideration the question of affairs on the
Rio Grands. The keeping of peace with Mexico de-
pended mostly on diplomacy, depended altogether