The Portland daily press., 1878-04-23
XLVth C0ngress-Regular Session.


SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April %.
The Vice President submitted a communication
from the Secretary of War in answer to the Senate
resolution of the 18th inst, enclosing the report of
the board of photographic engineers convened in
New Orleans to ort upon the meaus necessary to
protect the whaves and harboIs of that city from
cursiuns of the Mississippi river. Referred to the
Committee on Commerce
Mr. Rollins, from the Committee on the District of
Columbia, reported with amendments the Senate bill
to provide for revision and correction of assess
menls for special improvements in the District of
Columbia. Placed on the calendar
Mr.. Hereford, from the Committee on Claims re-
ported tavorably on the Senate bill for the relief Of
the Methodist Episcopal church South, of Charles
ton w Va Placed on the calendar.
Bill was introduced by Mr.. KerDan, at the request
OF several members OF the geographical society," au-
the army o take command of the expedition being
fitted out by MessIs Morrsov and Brown citizens Of
New York, to search for the record of Sir John
Franklins expedition, and 10 issue to such officer of
the army equipments and ammunition. Referred to
the Committee ON Military Affairs.
The Pr sident pro tenn; laid before the Senate
passage of the joint resolution proposing an amend
ment TO the consition respecting an establishment of
religion or prohibiting the exercise thereof Referred
to the Committee on Judiciary.
Mr.. harris introduced bill to repeal &c., 3412 of
the Revised Statutes, which provide for tax on
notes of state banking associations Referred to the
committee on inance.
Mr.. Voorhees, submitted an amendment to the sub
situte for the House bill, repeating the specie re-
sumption act reported by the comma tee on finance
last Wednesday to strike out that por ton nam
ing October LIST as the time when United States
notes shall be receivable for duties as to read
THAT fom and after the passage of this act United
States notes shall be receivable payment for the
four per centum bonds now authorized by law to be
issued, and for duties on imports" He also moved
to amend the substitute to strike out Octob or
LIST the lime when the volume of said notes in ex-
isence shall not be cancelled boarded and insert
in lieu thereof the passage of this act. further
amendment repeats mmedi itely all that part of the
specie RESUMPTION act authorizing the retirement of
@ nf TIIl Sfnf
Mr.. Gordon moved to maxi the bill special order
for WedDe sday, May LIST.
Mr. Ferry, who reported the bill said he hoped an
earlier date could be fixed
After some further discussion Mr.. Gordon with
drew his motion
Mr.. Blaine submitted the folio wing:
Resolved That any radical change in our present
tariff laws would in the judgment of the Senate be
inopportune and would needlessy derange the bust
ness interests OF the country and would seriously
tird that return to prosperity which all should earn
eslly cooperate for.
should be the fded policy Of this government 10 so
maintain tariff for revenue as to afford adequate
protection to American labor
Ordered printed.
MIR Garland submitted the following amendment:
Sand the Committee on Finance is Instructed to re-
port bill at as early day possible providing for
com mission to examine into the subject of the ia
III aud report the result OF such examination with
such suggestions as it may consider proper at the
ton and amendment be printed
MIR. Mitchell called up thu Senate bilextending the
time to construct and complete the Northern Pacific
railroad. He argued that the Northern Pacific
would be competing line to the Central and Union
Pacific roads, and would check the spirit of monop-
oily.
AT the request Of Mr.. Eaton consideration was
ill tomorrow.
Mr.. Dawes, from he Committee on Public Build
ings and Grounds, reported with amendment the
Seoate bill for the relief of Albert Ordway. Placed
on the calendar.
IL aulho' ICES otdway to assign and transfer the
contract entered into by him with the United States
Nov. 10th, 1871, to Inish and certain g'anie
for new state war and navy department building
in Washington D, c., to the Westham Granite Co.
of Virginia subject to the appro 7a of the Secretary
of W provi Ell nothing in this at releases said
Ordway from his Obligations to cause said contract to
be fulfilled
Senate resumed consideration of bills ON the
calendar, and several nrivate bills were passed.
When the House bill to remove the legal dis
abilities Of women was reached MIR. Sargent sub
mitted the following as substitute: