Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-26
FOKTY-FIFTn CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, April p.
SENATE.

A communication from the secretary of the
treasury in answer to the senate resolution calling
tor information in regard to the amount of gov
eminent bonds sold since March 4lh, 1861 the
amount paid to syndicate for placing on the mark
ct, &c, received
Ordered printed and referred to the finance com
mittee
y communication was read from the post mas
ter general in regard to DEFICIENCIES in appropiia-
tions for that department during the current fiscal
year.
Referred to the committee on appropriations
A communication from the war department en-
closing letter from Lieut.. Col. T.. Is. Tower,
calling attention TO inaccuracies OF the printed
sketch accompanying published report of the
board Of engineers of Notifications in regard to
the site for construction of dry dock of Fort
Mclleny reservation, at Baltimore.
Referred to the committee on commerce.
Mr.. Christisncy introduced a bill to amend sec
ton liS5 of the revised statutes III regard to the
stat officers of the navy having precedence by
length OF service and TO repeal section 1856 IN re-
gard to estimating the Time of service, etc
Referred to committee on naval affairs.
The following were disposed of:
The Senate bill for the sale of timber lands in
the states of California and Oregon and in Wash
ingtOn Territory.
1t provides for the sale of lands valuable chiefly
for timber, but unfit for cultivation, in quantities
not exceeding 100 acres TO any one person or as
ISOLATION ofpersons, at III nmum price of 81 30
per
Mr.. Sargent submitted an additional section,
providing hat any person prosecuted for voat-
ing section 246l OF the revised statutes, who wss
not prosecuted for cutting timber for export, from
the United States, may be relieved from any such
prosecution upon payment of $3.50 per acre, for
all lands upon whi-h they have cut or removed
timber.
The amendment was agreed to and the bill was
then passed.
The Senate bill establishing the rank of Senior
In Rrfu
raj, wa. passed
The Senate bill to provide for taking testimony
to be used before Congress, in cases Of private
claims against the L s. passed.
quite n number OF private bills we're passed.
MIR. Blame, from the conference committee on
he bill to provide for deficiencies in the appropri-
alton for the service of the government Tor the
current and fiscal years submitted a report.
Mr. Blaine in explanation said 1t was signed by
two members of the committee on the part OF the
Senate, and two members on the part of the
House. As agreed upon, the appropl ation for
printing for the interior department, was reduced
from $40 900 to $50 600. ! he Senate cOnfelees
receded from the approptia ion Of $4,000, for
public schools OF the District of Columbia, and al
so the appropriation eli S2j 900 for the HAYDEN
survey. The sum for the mint at San Francisco,
had been reduced from $4,000 to Sl2 600 The
Senate conierees receded from the appropriation
of 81 900, to ascertain tue depth OF the water and
the width OF the channel cured aud maintained
SIS, 900 for printing tor-the war department. The
only points upon which the Senate conterees felt
some reluctance in recediDg, were those in re-
gard to public schools for the District of Column
ba, and s2j 900 for the Hayden survey. 1t was
certainly impossible for the two houses to agree
upon this amendment IN is present attitude.
Mr. Edmunds asked If ii was not the duty of
the District authorities to keep up the schools ont
of the District funds.
Mr. Blaine-Yes, but they have not got the
j. nhr ,l.Ea
finances of the District.
Mr. w ndom, a member of the conference com
mitee, objected TO reducing the appropriation for
the intcral revenue bureau from 100000 to $40.
600, a the money was needed to enforce the laws
against distllle,lts Ia regard to the SO 600 for
public schools of the District OF Columbia, Mr.
Window said he never expected that the sppro-
prston of last year would be returned.
Mr. Beck one OF the conftrees defended the
action Of the committee and the house also, from
the attack of the senator from Minnesota.
Af'er further discussion the rapport OF thc con
ference committee wa, agreed to-Ieas 80 nays
l09
Mr. Matthews submitted resolution directing
the secretary of war to report to the senate what
amount of money had been expended for the i'm
provement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers; how
much 1t will cost to complete the work how much
was paid for the right of way, attorneys fees &c.
He asked present consideration, but objection was
made by Mr.. Gamer on of Wisconsin, ami it was
laid over.
Adjourned to Monday.
House.
The river and harbor appropriation bill which
recently passed the senate WAS read and referred
to the committee on commerce.
Most of the morning hour passed in discus
sion OF the bill TO provide for the revision of as
sessments for special Improvements in the District
OF Columbia.
The senate bill for the repeal of the bankrupt
law was takes up.
Mr.. Mcmahon, who had charge Of the bill,
stated at the end OF two hours discussion that
he would demand the previous question.
Mr.. Kelley hoped the house would not second
the previous question, but asw an extended dis
cussion.
Mr.. Mcmahon stated that he was authorized by
the judiciary committee to offer q substitute for
the bill repeating the bankrupt law, providing
that the bill shall take effect immed lately as TO in
voluntary proceedings. except pendirg proceed
ings and suits, and shall take ,t,cct after Janusry