The New York herald., 1878-12-20

most likely that in a few years hence some of the
cavalry regiments might be changed to infantry regi
creased Referring TO the provision for forbidding
the further manufacture OF arms by the ordnance
department he said he thought il was calculated to
stimulate the invention OF arms throughout the
country.
1t had been said by opponents OF the bill that
It cnrtailed the powers of the Secretary OF War
He denied that such was the In way did it
abridge the powers of that officer The Genera-in
Chief had no power to appoint staff officers. The bill
provided that they should be appointed by the Pres
dent upon the recommendation of the command
ing General. he (3urnside) knew Of no
one better fitted to recommend appointments
than the commanding general of the army. In the
earliest days OF the government the Secretary OF war
was not considered part Of the army. He had al
ways been considered civil officer In conclusion
Mr. Burnside said he satisfied some stem of re-
form was necessary and should be made at this time
POSTAL DEFICIENCY.
The bill reorganizng the army was then laid aside
to provide for deficiency in the appropriation for
transportation of mails by railroads for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1879.
1t appropriates $45O.0OO to meet the deficiency and
provides that increase in the postal car service be-
yond what existed the 1st of December, 1875 shall
be made. The bill was passed.
DISTRICT COLUMBIA FINANCES.
Mr. DORSEY then called the House bill to amend an
act of June 30 1873 and to fix the rate of interest on
bonds authorized by said act to be issued by the Com
issioners of the District of Columbia and for other
purposes
s2s1 600 of its funded debt falling due the 1st of
January. Provision was made at the last session OF
Congress to this debt, but II was omitted ell
rolling the Sundry Civil bill. This bill simply al
lowed the commissioners to issue new bonds to take
up the old ones. In reply to question Of Mr.. Davis.
or West Virginia, Mr.. Dorsey said he believed the
bonds subject to taxation the other per-
sOnal property.
Mr.. DAVIS idem3 of W. Va said lie had informa-
tion to the effect that they not taxable. After
some further discussion Mr. Davis moved to amend
to make the rate of interest on the bonds hvc
instead of six per cent but he subsequently with
drew it and the bill was read a third time aud
passed-yeas %, nays III.
THE PATENT LAWS AGAIN.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill
to amend the statutes i'll relation to patents and Mr.
WINDOW OF Minnesota. BY unanimous consent with,
drew his amendment and gave notice that he would
hereafter submit the following an additional
tion:--
In suit brought in court now having jurisdiction
article device crdiscoysry where shall
manufacturer thereof. from firm engaged in
the operation sale practical application thereof that
and for sale for making product for sale il
s e sS hs pa az tho eos
Of the suit and il tho plaintiff shall the Of
costs unless shall also that tho defendant tho
s o Gi d o Of
such pntent and that such purchase
plaintiff "'''' - = -'''''' : ''0 ''' -
Laid over to be submitted hereafter.
Mr.. DAVIS, (nd.) of ILL., said the bill now before
the Senate calculated in many respects effect
improvements in the Patent laws. He spoke of
present imperfections in the Patent laws. and the
difficulties which inventors, well consumers
subjected to. He submitted an amendment to
the first section of the bill as follows:-
That f. in any suit Instituted in Circuit Court
leminsd upon nsi bearing ing any ohsr Circuit Court
functions based thereon 70 continue pending
the sqr q s ss s and 4 the %
any Circuit Court any other Circuit may
& IT, psns % apps"
the supreme Court OF the United States in said frst
THE BLAINE COMMITTEE
Pending the discussion the Vice President an
nounccd the select committee to inquire whether
the constitutional rights of citizens violated at
the recent elections in accordance with the resolu
ton Of Mr.. Blaine, adopted on Tuesday, Messrs.
Teller of Colorado, Cameron Of Wisconsin, Kirkwood
OF Iowa, Mitchell OF Oregon Plumb OF Kansas. Bay
Tennessee and Garland of Arkansas.
Mr.. MITCHELL lrep.) OF Oregon, asked to be ex-
cused, and said in justice to himself and his con-
stituents he could not serve on the committee Be-
sides, he could not serve on account of sickness
in his family. He was in full sympathy with the
investigation however.
Mr.. PLUMB. (rep.) OF KAN. said it was impossible
for him to serve on the committee and asked to be
excused.
Both the Senator's were excused.
Mr.. HoAR (rep.) Of Mass. said he was quite
there would not be quorum Of the Senate present
Tomorrow; He therefore submitted resolution
at twelve ociock tomorrow until Tuesday, Janu-
ary7.
be quorum Tomorrow to pass the motion to repeal
section $40 of the Revised Statutes reported to-day
and ut his request Mr.. HOar Withdrew the resolution.
On motion of Mr.. WADLEIGH, the further consider
alton of the Patent bill postponed until one
O'Clock Tuesday. january
The Vice President appointed Mr.. Hoar. of Massa-
chusetts, member Of the select committee under
the Blaine resolution in place of Mr.. Mitchell, de-
clined. and Mr.. Mcmillan member in place OF Mr..
Plumb, declined.
Mr.. TELLER, (rep.) of Cal, chairman of the select
committee submitted resolution authorizing the
committee to employ such clerks and stcnographers
as may be necessary
Mr. VOORHEES,, (dem.) of Ind submitted . rcsolu-
ton instructing the Census Committee to inquire
into the advisability of including in the next
the total number of pensioners of Indian blood in the
Indian Territory: the number of mixed bloods: the
number Of white members of tribes by the marriage
relation; the amount of property owned; the extent
Of agriculture; the number of schools In that Terri
tory, children attending. &c. Agreed to.
ARREARS or PENSIONS.
Mr. INGALLS,, trep) of kan gave notice that ds
Patent bill should be disposed of he would call
up the bin for the payment of pensions from the
OF death discharge from the SERVICE for the
payment of arrears of pensions, &c.
The House joint resolution extending the time for
the Joint committee the transfer Of the Indian
Bureau to report was taken up and passed
The Senate then, ut twenty-five minutes past four
p NJ, on motion of Mr.. ANTHONY, of Rhode Island,
went into executive session. and when the doors
reopened at quarter to five r. NJ, adjourned until
tomorrow at twelve o'clock.