The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-19
xLvTH CONGREsS-SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
SENATE.
The Posse Comitatus and Pension Bills
Psssed-The Amendments TO the Dip To-
ma,ic and Fertilization r ills Insisted on

SENATE.
The Posse Comitatus and Pension Bills
Psssed-The Amendments to the Diplo-
ma, ic and Fertilization Bills Insisted ON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. I8-Among the bills introduce
ed was one TO regulate charges on through and To-
cal reghts for passage over the line of the railway in
the territories Referred to the Judiciary commit
Mr. Beck called up the bill introduced by him to
repeal sections of the Revised Statutes prescribing
additional causes of disqualification and challenge Of
grand and petit urss in courts Of the United States
prescribing additional oath for grand and petit
Jurors. During a bfie debate Mr.. Beck said the law
act OF 1911 but was Inadvertently placed in the Re.
vised Statutes when the revision was made
Mr.. Cookling said the subject was now beingscon-
sidered by the judiciary committee and it was a
matter upon which there was divided judgment
and it should mot be acted Hpen without report
from that committee.
Pending discussion the morning hour expired and
the subject was laid aside.
The Senate then considered the bill to amend the
statutes in relation to patents
Mr.. Spencer ofsAlabafna, from the military COM
mittee reported favorably on the House bii to au-
thorize donation OF 70 condemned bronze cannon
West Point. Passed. ia
Without action on the patent bill the Senate went
into executive session and when the doors reopen
ed the House JOINT resolution appropriating $50
for paying the expenses incurred by the committee
0fthe Senate and House in investigating the cause
and prevention OF epidemic diseases was taken up
and passed.
The bill rom the committee on military affairs
to amend the posse coniduS clause of the army ap-
prop iation bill for the present fiscal year as to
provide that it shall not be construed to apply to any
part of the army Or the portion thereof engaged in
territories subject to Indian instructions was
amended as to name the states of Nebraska, Kan
sas, Colorado, Oregon. Nevada and the territories
subject to Indian instructions, and passed.
The Senate insisted upon its amendments to the
consular and diplomatic and fertilization appropr ia
ton bills andaa committees Of conference Dwere Of
dered.
The bill to repeal sections $40 and s2l of the Re-
vised Statutes was referred to- the committee on re-
vision of laws RI %
The, pension appropriation bill was verbally
amended and passed.
claims. reported bill for the relief of Tbeopbus p
Chandler, late assistant treasurer of the United
States at Boston. Placed on the calendar.
HOUSE.
The Yellow Fever COMMUNICATIVE In
dian Appropriation Bill Discussed.
The Senate amendment to the adjournment reso
luton extending the recess from Dec. 10th to Janu
airy 18th, was concurIed in.
The bill appropfiating $4,000 for the expenses of
the yellow fever committee was taken up.
After passing the bill providing for the expenses of
the yellow fever committee, the House went into
committee of the whole on the Indian appropriation
bill The amount appropriated by the bill is $4,710
600. reduction of $500 CO., from the estimates.
Mr. Soarks. who has charge of the bill, explained
that 1t substantially the bin of last year aud met
the unanimous approval of of the appropriation COM
mittee and Of the Indian Office. 1t was then read
by sections for amendments. After portion of the
bill had been considered, Mr.. Throckmorton moved
that IL be reported back to the House for the
Of ostponing further consideration until after the
recess in order to give the committee who have been
charged with inquiry into Indian affairs chance to
recommend some changes in the law in relation to
tn Indian Office 1t might be that an amendment
will be recommended for the transfer of the Indian
bureau to the war department. The motion was
defeated. 49,
Mr. Hooker offered an suendment authorizing the
payment Of the expenses incurred by the Usage In
diaus Incident to the execution OF trust created by
the treaty OF 1855, such payment TO be credited
against the interest bearing credit OF said Indians in
the possession of the United States. After debate
the amendment was ruled out.
Mr.. Hooker offered amendments providing that the
interest due the Wmnebaao Indians be paid to the
authorized chiefs of thenation.
Mr. Luttreli supported the amendment. 1t was
high time that the Indians, who were competent to
manage their own affairs should have chance to do
so. lie was In favor of turning the whole manage
ment over to such able men as Sherman and Crook,
instead of leaving it in The hands of who robbed
and punderet the poor Indian. The head of the
Indian department, Mr.. Hayt. knew no more Of In
dian affairs than hog did of choIera.
Mr.. Baker opposed the amendment
The committee rose without turther action.
Mr.. Boon introduced joint resolution extending
until the LIST OF February the time within which the
joint committee the transfer of the Indian bureau
may report. Passed %
On motion Of Mr.. Wood, January 18th was set
aside for the consideration OF the bills reported from
the committee on ways and means,
Leave was given the naval committee to sit during
the recess. - ~
Mr.. Atkins, chairman Of the committee on appro-
proatons, asked leaveto report back the resolution
csna Gf alton as 70 the number Of superyis
ors ana deputy marshals employed during fhe late
eiectone, and out Of which fund they were paid ETC.
Mr.: Garfield objected.
Adjourned.