The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-27
XLVth COngress-Regular Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.
Senate was called to order by Secretary Gorham
Vice-President Wheeler being absent.
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution that in the
absence of the e-President that Thomas N. Fer
~ be and is hereby chosen President pro tenn.
Mr.. Bayard moved to amend SO that Senate pro.
coed by ballot to choose President pro tenn. Reject
ed-yeas 81; nays %.
Question then required on resolution of Mr.. An
thony, and Mr.. Wallace moved to amend by striking
out the name of Thomas w. Ferry and inserting in
lieu thereof A. g. Thurman. Rejected-yeas %;
nays 20.
MIR: Davis of Illinois voted with the Democrats in
the affirmative.
The original resolution was then agreed to and Mr.
Ferry was escorted to the desk by Mr.. Thurman,
Upon taking the chair he said:
"Thanking you, Senator's for another proof of your
confidence, and relying on your generous support
will at once enter upon duties to which you have
chosen me.'
Mr.. Gordon made a brief explanation and said
of the silver bill he stated that his colleague HD
who had been called away from the city, was paired
with the Senator from Tennessee Harris), and that
if his colleague (Harris) had been present he would
have voted against the bill Since his colleague
turned from Georgia he informed him that he (Gor-
DOM misunderstood him in regard to the pair His
purpose was to pair on the Senate amendments to the
bill and not on the bill ITSELF Hill said he was COM
PEELED to leave the city before the final vote taken
on the bill, and his purpose was to pair Senate
amendments. He had stated that with certain
amendments he would vote for the House BILL and he
did not intend to say in advance he would vote
The CHAIR submitted communication from the
Secretary of the Interior in to recent
luton of the Senate transmitting information in re-
gard to the number of pensioners in States of Ar
kansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and the Indian
country, the payments made, etc. Ordered to be
printed.
Mr.. Eaton introduced bill granting pension to
the widow of the late Rear Admiral Ammen. Refer
red to the Committee on Pensions.
Mr. Cockren of Missouri submitted a resolution di-
rect1ng the Commissioner of Agriculture to furnish
Senate with information in regard to the disease
known as "hog cholera" and to diseases of animals
wit bo
nent Agreed to.
Senate then resumed consideration of bills on the
calendar.
him JAN 81 declaring it inexpedent to impose taxes
at this time for the purpose of providing for sinking
1und and directing the Secretary of the Treasury not
to purchase any bonds for the reduction of the
principal Of the national debt till further ordered by
Congress.
Mr.. Morrill, said that this matter should be con-
sidered by the Committee on Finance it proposed
change in the policy Of the government.
Mr. Beck did not think it necessary to have 1t con-
sidered by the Finance Committee, and would ask
vote of the Senate upon it.
MIR. Dawes said the resolution was one of import
ance and should not receive the final action of the
Senate till after its consideration by the Finance
Committee. M. Beck said the sinking fund had al
ready been provided for in excess of the promises of
the government, and he saw no use in levyng taxes
tor IL now.
=, Pending discussion the morning hour expired and
the subject was laid aside,
Mr.. Burnside introduced bill to aid in the protec-
ton OF public records and property against loss and
damage by tire. Referred to the Com mittee Pnb.
lie Buildings.
The Senate resumed consideration of the bills ON
the calendar not objected to and several of them
were passed.
House joint resolution authorizing Rear Admiral
John .. Almy to accept decoration from the King
OF the Hawaiian Islands, was reached.
Mr.. Sargent objected to its present consideration
aud spoke against this species of legislation Laid
over:
When the Senate bill to organize life saving and
coast guard service was reached Mr.. Sargent gave
notice he would ask the Senate TO fix an early dav
Tor its consideration.
The House bill to authorize the granting of an
American register to foreign built ship for pur-
poses OF the Woodruff scientific expedition around
the world, was objected to by Mr.. Sargent and laid
over.
Mr.. Wallace called up the bill to authorize long
bond for the Investment of savings SO it should be
unfinished business tomorrow.
The Senate at $50, on motion of Mr. Edmunds
went into executive session.
When the doors were reopened at $50 the Senate
adjourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Reagan, chairman of the Committee on Com
merce reported bill to regulate inter. state COM
carriers. Recommitted.
Petition 700 yards long signed by $4,000 names for
the repeal Of the law in relation to the transmission
of matter through the mails was presented by Mr..
Butler of Massachusetts aud referred.
MIR. Eden, chairman of the Committee on War
Giaims, reported bill making an appropriation for
the payment of claims reported allowed by the Com
missioner OF claims. Ordered printed and recom-
mitted.
MIR. Steele, from the Committee on Agriculture,
reported back the bill for the appointment Of COM
mission 10 investigate the origin of and the best
means OF destroying the cotton and army worms.
Inc Dill authorizes the appropriation of $4,000 for
tne expenses OF the commission. Referred to the
committee of the whole
Mr. Banning chairman of the Military Committee
reported bill authorizing the Secretary of War to
prescribe rules to be observed in the prenaraton and
opening OF bids for contracts for the War DEPART
Inent. Passed wal D0p"''
Mr. Rice of Ohio, chairman of the Committee on
Invalid PENSIONS, reported bill providing that in
case OF the death or resignation Of pension agent
Passed. '"0oe''oi
MIR. Chalmers of Mississippi then took the eoor
to reply TO the speech made by Mr.. Garfield last
week. -"''
At the conclusion of Mr.. Chalmers remarks. Mr.
Hewitt of Ala, endeayored to induce the House To
proceed with the bill to pension soldiers of the Mexi
can war; but the House preferred to give Mr. Butler
of Mass, chance to make his speech on the fpap-
cal question, in anticipation Of which the galleries
We're crowded.
The House therefore, at $780, went into committee
OF the whole on the state of the Union, and Mr.
Butter proceeded to make his speech.
~ AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Buffers speech short
House adjourned.