Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-06
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, March ..
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. March ..
SENATE.
Spencer of Alabama, from the committee on
military, reported iavoia5ly on house bill for re-
lief of William A. Hammond. late surgeon gen
eral of the army.
Place on the calendar
Thurman introduced bill to prohibit members
Of congress from becoming sureties on certain
bonds.
Refer cd to the judiciary committee.
great part of the morning hour was occupied
in the reporting AID consideration of unimportant
bills.
Wallace, who is in charge of unfinished bust
ness being unavoilably absent, the long bond bill
passed over with the understanding it should
retain its place as unfinished business.
Mcmillan called up the bill to authorize the
Wolthngton & Sioux Falls Railroad Company to
extend it. road into the territory of Dakota to
the village of Sioux Falls.
Discu ,sed and lac aide.
Beck called up resolution submitted declaring
il unexpedeut to levy collect taxes to main
tain the sinking fund, aud spoke at length in tav-
or the resolution.
Amendments to house bill making a9proprla-
lions for payment of claims allowed by the secre
tary OF the treasury were colcurred in.
The senate went into executive session, and
when the doors were reopened adjourned.
House.
Grape from the committee on foreign affairs,
reported bill supplementary to act to carry into
effect the convention between the United States
aud China, concluded in 1893, and to give the
court OF claims jurisdiction in certain cases.
The bill authorizes any person or persons hav-
ing any claims against the balance fund designat-
ed Chinese indemnity fund" for cases sustained
by plumber of bark calder" in 1854, to com
mence within twelve months from the passage of
this act, proceedin gs in the court of claims.
Garfield asked whether this bill made any dis
position of the balance of funds.
Grape replied it did not.
Garfield said he always believed as a matter of
good faith, that the United States ought to paw
the balance back to China He felt ashame /
hundred thousand dollars in the state department
that did not belong to this country.
Cox said the subject was being thoroughly con-
sidered by the committee of foreign affairs.
Hewitt agreed with Garfield, and said the bill
if passed would remove all known claims against
that fund
The bill was then passed.
The house committee on post offices continue
the investiga of Thomas q. Cheney, but moth
ing new is elected.
Martin offered resolution recillng that the
Union and Central Pacific railroad companies owe
the United States treasury eighty million accrued
interest on bonds guaranteed BY the United States
and that the earnings of said companies are con-
sumed by dividends declared on the capital stock
in violation OF their charters and directed the ju-
dietary to report it expedient to enact such laws
will prohibit payment OF dividends on said stock
until the Indebtedness is hquidated.
The resolution was refel red.
Riddle from the committee on teri itories re port
ed back adversely the bill to establish the tern
tory Of Pembins.
Laid on the table.
AT the conclusion Of the morning hour, a half
hour discussion az to the business 10 be next
considered.
After great deal of amuscm mt, and while
Townsend Of New York the door. the
speaker announced that Discussion was entirely
out of ORDER and it seemed 10 him that public
business should be proceeded with
This called fotth remark from Townsend that
he did not want the char to lecture him 10 pub
lie.
Speaker-The chair wi lecture the gentleman
in private.
Townsend-Iou had better. do not want an,
publ lecture, and further will not submit to il
(Great laughter
The house then went into committee of th,
whole on fertilization bill. ts
The bill apProp.iates 500 900 for the prolec
ton OF tortihcations and other works of defence
$1,000 for the armament of Notifications, anC
Soo,Oo tor torpedos aud for harbor defence