The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-03-15
XLVth C0ngress-ReguIar Session
SENATE.


ohNATE.
WASHINGTON. Mar. IA.
number of bills granting pensions were passed,
among them grating a pension of $50 per
month to Mrs. Mary Wilkes, widow of the late Rear
Admiral Chas Wilkes.
Mr. Voorhees, introduced bill providing for the
payment OF all customs duties and all other debts
due the United States in legal tender notes at par
except in cases where IT is expressly stipulated the
face of the obligation contract. Referred to the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Teller introduced bill to regulate the passen-
ger fare and freight tariff on the Denver Pacific
Railroad and Kansas Pacific Railroad. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill
in regard TO the Pacific Railroad sinking fund.
Mr. Matthews spoke in favor of the bill reported
by the Committee on Railroads and gave notice he
would hereafter submit it as substitute for that
reported by the Judiciary Committee.
Pending discussion Mr.. Sargent introduced bill
for the sale of timber lands in the states of Calfor-
Mr. Gordon by request introduced a bill to author
ize the construction Of narrow gauge railroad from
Bismarck TO the Black Hills. Referred.
1t was voted that when the Senate adjourn, it ad-
jouin till Monday, Al to 26.
The diplomatic bill was received from the House
and referred.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. O'Neil offered resolution that the committee
on public buildings be requested to ascertain at what
cost sufficient ground adj lining the U. s. mint at
Philadelphia could be purchased for the extension of
that building, ana at what expense the Quilting
could be enlarge and report at an early day. Re-
ferred to the committee on coinage, weights and
Mr.. nardenberg introduced a bill regulating the
fund of national banks. The bill authorizes
such banks to disp lse of their fund and in
vest the same in U. ). bonds, which bonds shall con-
stitute the reserve fund Of such associations. Re
terred
The Speaker proceeded to call the committees for
reports.
Mr. Durham. from the committee on expenditures
in the department of JUSTICE reported bill limiting
to 800 instead Of $1,000 as at present, the compen
saion of clerks of District and Circuit Courts when
one person holds both Offices Passed.
Also bill repeating Sec 1863. r. g., and enacting
in lieu thereof law limiting the number OF special
attorneys that may be employed by the United
States to one attorney in any one case, and limiting
the tee of such attorney to $4,000.
Mr.. Durham explained that there was some law
needed to restrict fees of special attorneys In the
ed by special ATTORNEYS
large case for the fee of S2SuO
UT Hale supported the bill. Two Thousand dol
case.
After further discussion the bill passed.
Inc House went into tue committee of the whole
on Ine Dill extending to three years the time tor
Withdrawing distilled liquors from bond instead of
one year as at present.
MI. Sayler sent to the clerks desk and bad rood q
communication from the commissioner of revenue
ana secretary Of the Treasury approving the bill
After some debate the committee rose and renorted
the bill and amendments The amendment were
agreed to and the bill passed. yeas 49, nays u.s.
A., MI Sayler tnen moved TO reconsider and lay on
VOTE Mr. Conger called for the yeas and nays which
were ordered ami the motion to reconsider was tabled
yeas 122 nays 105.
Mr.. Foster. from the committee on appropriations.
reported bill appropriatiDg $4,000 for the comm.
gent fund of the House. Passed.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois called up at o'clock the
report Of the committee 90 elections on the Mas a.
chusets contested election case, the report of the
majority being at Dean (the coptestanD is entitled
70 Tue seat that OF the minority being in favor of
f1eld, the sitting member.
rr Ai5er the opening speech by Mr.. springer, the
Houee at $50 adjourned.