The Portland daily press., 1878-01-31
XLVth Congress--ReguIar Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 80.
Mr.. Voorhees, submitted a resolution requesting
the President, If not incompatible with the public
interest," to transmit to the Senate how many acres of
land in the Indian territory have been surveyed into
sections and quarter sections for what purpose said
survey was made and how much land remains in
said territory not surveyed; also what amount of
lands were owned by the several tribes of Indians
previous to the treaties of 1866 and whether the In
dams title to any such lands has been extinguished
since said treaties made and if so TO what
tent and for what consideration. Agreed to.
During the morning hour MIR. Hoar of Mass, had
read a communication from the Commissioner of
Pensions in regard to the application of soldier for
pension not having been acted upon on account Of
insufficient clerical force Of the Surgeon General
where the hospital records Of the army are kept.
Messrs. Hoar, Edmunds and ingalls, commented on
the delay in acting upon cases and argued that 1t
was caused by the Democratic patty reducing tho
appropriations.
Mr.. Withers denied the statement and Mr.. Davis
of West Virginia read from the report of the Jencks
committee that three persons had been detailed from
the Pension office to act as clerks of the Republican
Congressional Committee.
Mr.. Window, chairman of the Committee on Ap-
propriations stated that the clerical force in the
Surgeon Generals office in 1876 was 1889 and it was
then cut down in the general reduction Of that year.
Last year che force was increased by detailing 20 en-
listed men for duty in that office.
Pending discussion the morning hour expired and
the Senate resumed discussion of the silver bill.
Mr.. Christiancy submitted an amendment in the
natnre of a substitute providing for the coinage Of
silver dollars of 434 grains, nine-tenths pure silver
and onetenth alloy, which shall be legal tender for
ali debts except Where Otherwise provided by law or
contract. 1t also authorizes the Secretary of the
Treasury to purchase monthly not less than 81
900 900 than 81 600 worth of silver bull
lien to be coined. 1t further provides that the act
shall remain in force but one year. Ordered print
ed
Mr.. ChristIancy then spoke ON his amendment.
Mr. Allison gave notice he would insist upon dis
position of the bill to morrow or next day.
Mr. Salisbury said the bill was one of great i'm
portance and he was in harmony with its general
features. There were several Senators, however
who desired to discuss it and he was not willing it
should be pressed to vote without the fullest dis
cussion.
The Senate then went into executive session and
when thedoors were reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hayes of ILL.,, introduced bill prohibiting any
further destruction of legal tender notes and making
said notes legal tender for custom duties Refer1e
The House wenb into committee of the Whole tt
consider the bill extending the time for Withdrawal
of distilled spirits in bond uuti July 1st, 1878
Mr.. Buffers amendment, providing that when
spirits are Withdrawn from bond, tax shall be col
ected at the rate required by law at the time of it
entry into bond, was adopted in committee, 10
against 81.
After the discussion the committee adopted Eos
ters substitute for the original proposition declaring
reduction of tax.on whiskey inexpedent of vote
1874 to 95.
When the committee rose, House sustained its ac
ton in adopting the substitute Yeas, 146 nays, 112
| Adjourned.