The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-05-10
XLVth COngress-ReguIar Session.
SENATE.

UOO copies OF the report OF the Commissioner OF Ag
culture for the year 1876 with an amendment to re-
dnee the number to 200 900; also an amendment to
print and bind copies of the Colonial charters and
constitutions for the Of Congress and the
tive departments OF the government. In ans wer to
question as to the cost OF printing Mr.. Anthony said
that as the resolution came from the House it would
cost $4,000 to print the agricultural report; as
amended by the Senate committee it would cost S73
goo to print that report and to print the Co
lenial charters and constitutions.
The joint resolution was placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Beck BY request introduced bill tor the relief
Of Norman Wizard, and it was referred to the com l.
mlttee on claims CT authorizes the Secretary of The
Treasury to pay him $25.568s SO for work and labor
done, and for material supplied and cash advanced
from 1861 to 1865 under contracts with the war and
navy departmeuts.)
Mr. Davis called up the Senate bill to provide for
the distribution OF the Mexican award. Discussion
ensued in regard to certain alleged fraudulent claims
of Benjamin We'll and the La Abra Silver Mining
Company.
Mr., Edmunds, chairman of the judiciary commit
tee said there were things in possession of the
committee in regard to these claims which the SEN
ate should know and he therefore moved the doors be
closed. Agreed to and the doors were closed
The discussion in the secret session was continued
until O'Clock, during which time the amendments Of
the committee on judiciary in regard to these claims
were amended to read as follows:
That the awards made in the case of Benz We'll
and in the case:of the La Abra Mining Co. shall not
shall any part thereof be paid except as in this
section provided. The President of the United
States shall within six months of this act consider
and determine upon such evidence and information
Is
to believe that the honor of the United States the
principles of public law the considerations of JUS
tce and equity require that said awards or either of
had in respect of the validity justice of the respec-
tive claims on which they are founded, and ii the
President shall SO determine, the award or awards
government of the United States to said claimants
and shall be suspended to await such action in res
pect thereto as the two governments may in due
course agree upon, But if the President Shall not
determine Aforesaid within said six mcntbs then
the award awards aforesaid SO determined up
on shall be paid in the manner and proportions pro-
Vlded for thelother awards in this act mentioned.
The bill was then read third time and passed.
During the secret session the debate was regard
to Information as to the claims mentioned before the
Judiciary committee which it said should not be
male public it might defeat the ends of justice.
At O'Clock the doors were reOpened.
MIR. ingalls, introduced bill to regulate the railway
mail service Referred to Committee on Post-ofhces
and Post Roads.
The President pro tempore submitted commune
cation from the Grand Army of the Republic, invit
ing the Senate to attend the memorial services at
the table.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
Indian appropriation bill, and the amendment sub
United by MIR. Hoar yesterday, authorizing the
President of the United States to dispense with the
expenditure Of any of the appropriations in the bill
providing he deem them unnecessary and the consent
ct the tribe be first obtained, and also approprialing
$4,000 to be expended for the benefit of the tribes in
such manner as the President ay with their consent
The question then being on the amendment of the
Committee on Appropriations, providing that the
several appropriations made for teachers, millers,
blacksmiths. engineers and other employees on the
reservations and for various supplies for the Indians
within the discretion of the President, &C., it was
greed to- with the amendment submitted by MIR.
Hoar striking out the word "teachers," SO that the
fund appropriated for them should not be diverted.
Mr.. Allison submitted an amendment providing
that no purchase OF supplies exceeding the aggregate
value of $500 shall be made at any one time Without
advertisement, except in case of emergency, when
purchases may be made in the open market not ex-
ceeding $4,000 in value. Agreed to.
Various unimportant amendments were agreed to
and the bill having been considered in committee of
the whole it was reported to the Senate the amend
ments made in the committee concurred in, and the
bill passed.
Mr.. Ferry from the conference committee on the
bill to regulate the advertising of mail lettings, sub
mtted report. In explanation thereof he said the
principal difference between the two Houses was in
regard to advertising rates in newspapers which
was now regulated by the old law OF 1885, allowing
40 cents per tolioand did not give sufficient compen
sation The Senate amendment was to provide for
the payment of the commercial rates for govern
ment advertising from all departments of the gov
eminent. As the amendment was agreed upon in
conference it fixed the rates to be paid for advertise
ing fol post office department only and not for the
other departments. 1t was fixed on a commercial
basis for that department.
The report was agreed to and the bill passed.
Mr. Rollins introduced bill to continue in force
the act Of Marcn 3D. 1871 to provide for the support
ferred to the District committee.
Mr. Dorsey said it had been his intention to call up
the post office appropriation bill Immediately upon
the completion OF the Indian appropriation bill, but
at the request of several Senators it had been agreed
that the bill to repeal the bankrupt law should be
n ms sf He gave notice he would call up
Mr. Ferry said that as soon as the bill to repeal the
bankrupt law was disposed of he woald cali up the
bill to repeal the specie resumption act,
Senate on motion of Thurman took I'D the bill TO
repeal the bankrupt act, Thurman referring to the
amendment submitted by him when the bill was last
shall take effect on the first of September next and
saying that he submitted it compromise between
those fayorng January l. 1879, 1.-THE time now named
IN the billy and those in favor Of the repeal taking
effect upon the passage of the act.
Pending the discussion Mr.. Anthony moved that
when the Senate adjourn it be to Monday. Rejected
yeas 10, nays 81.
Mr.. Thurman urged that the Senate remain in
session and finish the bill to repeal the bankrupt law
today.
Eaton moved to adjourn. Rejected-yeas 20, nays
Hereford introduced bill to provide for the cleo
ton OF representatives to the 10th Congress froW
west virginia: Referred to the committee on privi-
leges and elections.
Senate proceeded with the consideration of the bill
to repeal the bankrupt law.
Maxey spoke in favor of agreeing to the House
amendments. He yielded to Mr. Davis of Illinois
and on his motion the Senate adjourned till tomor
row.
HOUSE.
A joint resolution reported from the committee on
labor tor the enforcement of the eight hour law in all
departments of the government gave rise to lively
discussion, in course of which Mr.. Banks denounced
sne disregard OF the law by the government
scandalous and infamous and further advocated
denaty Tor its disregard, and said there was more
powder and ball want0d in the administration of
laws. The joint resolution was passed.
House went into committee OF the whole on the
tariff bill.
MI. Kelly made speech in opposition to the bill.
After the disposition OF the eight hour resolution
Mr. Reagan endeavored to have his bill to regulate
interstate transportation by railroad made special
order for Saturday. Objection was made which
irritated Mr.. Reagan to make a statement that the
bill would occupy the morning hour until the House
grew sick OF it. A suggestion was thereupon made
by the Speaker that it might be got rid of by
motion to lay it on the table. motion was imme-
dately made by Mr.. Beebe and rejected.
Mr.. Thompson of Pennsylvania spoke in support
Of the bill and made the following remarkable state
ment: He said that last season 49, 900 900 barrels of
oil produced in Pennsylvania had been shipped to
the seaboard. The established rate of transporta-
ton was $5O per barrel which should have given
the railroad companies eighteen and a halt mil lion
dollars. but instead of that the railroad companies
had actually received only $4,000 000 the other $2,
oOO o0O having been diverted from the stockholders
and from the shippers into the pockets of an
scrupulous ring. The bill proposed to abolish that
system.
y At the close of Mr.. Thompson's statement Mr.:
meagan renewed his proposition to have the bill
made special order tor Saturday next, and this
ume there was no objection.
MI. PATTERSON from the committee on public lands
back the Senate bill authorizing the citizens
VI Nevada and the territories to fell and
5 I timber on public lands for mining and
Mr; rort offered an amendment declaring that
such lands would not be opened to railroad corpora
lions ior the cutting of TIMBER. The amendment
Mr. smith OF georgia from the same committee
reported bill Il sa6jes ing the Fort Wayne military
reservation In ARKANSAS TO entry as other public
Mr.. Sapp from the same committee reported a bill
to restore certain lands in Iowa to sett ement under
the homestead law. Passed.
The House then went into committee of the whole
on the tariff bill, and Mr. Kelley OF Pennsylvania
made speech in opposition to the BILL Mr.. Kelley
spoke more than two hours and commanded close
attention particularly on the Republican side of the
House.
Nj. Harris of Georgia, another member Of the
committee on ways and means, made speech in
favor OF the bill one that would effect desirable
changes in the existing system. Committee rose and
the House adjourned.