Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-05
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 4.

WASHINGTON. April4
Mr.. Morrill, offered resolution providing for q
| select commission of seven to consider the pro-
prieiy Of taking the tenth census.
The resolution was agreed to.
The senate at the expiration OF the morning
hour resumed consideration of the Pacific Rail
| road funding bill.
Mathews spoke in reply to arguments sgainst
the railroad committee bill
Bayard was recognised as entitled to the floor
but gave way to Mr.. Whyte, who introduced Q
bill grading site to the city of Baltimore for .
dry dock.
Referred to the committee on commerce.
Mr.. Thurman 10 reply to questions by Messrs.
Whyte and Blaine argued that the right to alter
| aud amend reserved in the acts was valid and op-
eratige at the time.
That the decision Of the supreme court applied
10 the law II stood at the time the decision was
rendered. and had no bearing upon q law that
might thereafter be enacted.
Mr.. Blaine asked at what point the power 10 al
ter stopped, in the opinion of the senator.
Mr.. Thurman would not stand here TO answer
hypothetical questions.
he would put question to the senator fron
Maine, and he could take until tomorrow to an
swer it, Did he denv the right of congress to re-
quire these corporations to provide q sinking fund
| to meet their obligations to the government. The
supreme court had at this session. and while they
had been talking about it decided that this Feserv,
ed right to amend WAS valid in q case where the
legislature of his own StRte had under this re-
served right reduced the rates on a railroad one
third.
Mr.. Hill said the Obstruction he insisted upon
was the contract for which there was considers
ton and this principlehe claimed had been set
tied in the supreme court in the case of Miller vs.
State of New York.
In reply to a question by Mr.. Herman. he said
there no legislative power to compel . rail-
road to pay its debts. The railroad was not in
corporated to pay its debts but to carry freights
and passengers. The courts were the proper au-
4 thnrt IN. na1 /, IN pav ita oh
Mr.. Anthony, from the committee on printing,
reported resolution To print twenty five thousand
copies Of the report Of the commissioner of sgri-
culture on forestry
The resolution was agreed 70.
The bill for the relief of James Fishback, lac
collector of revenue in Illinois, was laid over to
obtain further information.
Mr.. Davis read letter which stated that Fish
back was q de fauter.
Mr.. Ogesby responded by stating that he was
an upright and honorable man.
The bill to authorize the secretary of WAT to
prescribe rules and regulations in war prepara-
tons and submission and approval Of contracts
under war department, was passed.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Butler introduced bill to supply fraction
al currency with which the minor business tran
sactious Of the people may be done.
Referred to the committee on finance.
The bill provides for issuing OF twenty five and
fifty cents in fractional currency, and that any
person paying into the treasury legal tender notes
d coin shall receive such amount Of fractional
currency as he may desire; and directs the secre-
tary Of the treasury to pay out one sixth of all
payments made from the treasury in the redemp-
ton of national bank notes in United States legal
tender notes of the denominations of one, two,
three and five dollars.
The house resumed the Polk case, and was ad-
dressed by Mr.. Cook in favor of retaining the
door keeper.
Mr.. Harrison demanded the previous question,
but the demand was not seconded.
Mr.. Eden offered substitute for the resolutions
of the majority, censuring Polk for employing
persons in excess Of the number authorized by
law; directing him to revise the soldiers roll and
therefrom all persons not disabled soldiers
and recommittipg to the commission ON civil Ger,
vice reform Its resolution with instructions to as
certain what changes may be necessary to the
more economical administration of the business Of
the deer keepers department.
After speeches by Mr.. Baker of Ind, and Hale
of Maine 90 favor of majority of the resolution,
the main que stion having been ordered, vste
was taken on the resolution offered BY Eden rs
substitute for the report of the committee, and it
was rejected; yeas 81, nays 1885,
The question REQUIRED on the resolutions, and
was reported by the committee as follows:
Resolved, That the position OF door keeper Of
the House of Representatives be and hereby 10 de-
clared vacant and it is further resolved that until
the appointment Of a new door keeper, the duties
| OF the Office be and hereby are devolved on the
Sergeant at Arms.
Mr.. Congcr of Mich demanded q division Of
the question.
A vote was therefore taken on the first resolu-
ton, and it was adopted-yess 1879, nays 80.
The next vote was on the second resolution, de
volving temporarily the duties of the door keeper
on the Sergesnt-at Arms. 1t was adopted-yeas
l22, nays rs.
Immediately on the announcement OF the vote,
Mr. Hale rose to move that the House proceed to
the election of door keeper, but another motion
was agreed to-yeas III, nays ii3, and the House
adjourned
Pending the announcement, the Speaker sp-
pointed Messrs. Durham, Blount and Baker Of
Ind, the conference committee on the part Of the
House, on the bill making appropriation for
the employing of temporary clerks.
An announcement was made of democratic
caucus tomorrow evening