Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-22

FORTY.FIrTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. March 81.
SENATE.

Mr.. Conkling presented the petition Of citizens
of New York city, asking an appropriation to
complete the catalogue OF the national medical
library.
Referred to the committee on printing.
Mr.. Hereford submitted resolution declaring
the house bill TO repeal specie resumption was re-
feIred TO the finance committee Of the senate, on
the 10Th Of November last, therefore,
Resolved, That said committee be required TO
report said bill to the senate within one week, to-
gether with their action thereon, if any shall have
been made.
lie asked for the present consideration of the
bill.
Mr.. Morrill, made objections and it went over.
Mr.. Cbaitee called up bill to establish the ter.
| rtoty OF Lincoln and to provide a temporary gov
eminent therefor, which was discussed until the
expiration Of the morning hour
The senate resumed consideration Of the Pa
cific railroad sinking fund bill, and Mr.. Teller
spoke.
Tie President sent TO the senate h is answer to
the resolution OF Mr. Blame in .regald to the fish
cry question.
Mr.. Garland from the committee on territories,
reported favorably on the senate bill to annul an
| act of the legislature Of New Mexico, passed over
| the governor veto. to incorporate society of
Jesuit fathers of New Mexico.
Placed GU the calendar.
Mr.. Teller concluded his remarks 10 favor of
the sinking fund bill, reported by the committee
on railroads, at two O'Clock.
| The bill was then land aside, not to lose its
| place as unfinished bu.iness.
The senate resumed the bill to employ the tenn
poraiy treasury clerks, and to bring into market
public lands, etc.
Debate in regard to timber depredations, was
continued, Mr.. Jones of Florida speaking in op-
position 10 The course OF The secretary Of the in
terror.
Mr.. Morgan also opposed the second section Of
the bill aud censured the course OF the secretary
| of the Interior evasise and not candid. He
started ont for the purpose Of exercising iuris-
diction the law never conferred upon him, and
| when he was a ivised that agents exceeded
| then authority, he shut his eyes to all review oil
| their conduct.
| In his (Motgan) State whose name was syno-
| nym tor nismy, one Hester was now preparing
| sn additional raid upon the people OF Florida
lie (Morgan) knew of instances in in the South
where men owning saw mills had been ruined by
| timber seizures, and hundreds of thousands of
dollars lost Inc government could rely upon the
support OF the people IN the various localities TO
enforce the law better th an it could upon pimps
and spies sent from this city.
Mr.. Matthew, argued that the goyernmen mt own
ed the land toge her with the timber thereon and
| any person engaged in cutting the timber became
| a trespasser.
Pending discussion the Vice President submit
ted a message from the President in answer TO a
resolution of the senae, enclosing report Of the
secretary OF state and accompany ing papers in
gard to the appointment Of Mr.. Delfosse the
third fishing commits Toner under the treaty OF
" Arlington.
Mr.. Davis of Illinois introduced bill to con.
firm TO the city of Chicago a title to certain
lands.
Referred to the judiciary committee.
Adjourned.
House.
Mr.. Roberts of the committee on commerce re-
ported bi for the reorganization of the life saw.
| ing service
ordered printed and recommitted.
Mr.. Waddell, chairman of the committee on
post offices and post roads, reported a bill to es-
tabIlsh postal savings depository branch OF
the post Office department. and to aid refunding
the interest bearing the Indebtedness of the Unit
ed States.
Ordered printed and rccommittcd.
1t authoIize the estab ,hment at Washington
of the chief office to be called the central deposit
tory, and openlng( at suitable money order post
Offices OF sub Repositories for receipt and with
drawal OF deposits interest to be allowed at three
per cent. The deposits are to be paid into the
treasury and the interest credited to the postal
savings depository account" at the rate of four
per cent. Deposltors to the amount of over fifty
dollars may have four per cent bonds issued to
them, redeemabe after fifty years and on ly tran
ierabe by authorization of the secretary of the
treasury.
The bill also provides for certificates of deposit
OF the denomination of $40, $50, $50 and 500,
bearing interest at three per cent. for one year
only, and to be convertible into four per cent
bonds.
The speaker appointed as conference commit
tee on the part of the house the military acad
| envy bill, Messrs. Durham, ciymer aud Smith of
Penn.
Mr.. Chalmers introduced bill providing for
the organization or the Mississippi improvement
commission. :
Referred to the proper committee.
The house at II 10 went into committee of the
whole on the naval Appropriation bill.
The amount appropriated Is Sl4,O4S,66i, of
I,pkI nh - - tgst ha nos tIth NttI
navy, 81, 100000 for the ray of the men, and
s6ij, 400 Tor pay Of the retired list.
The bill provides that there shall be appoint
msnts made from civil life of secretaries or clerks
10 commanders of vessels, but that line officer
not above the grade of = lieutenant shall be de-
tailed to perform the duties OF such secretary.
The clerk read the bill by sections.
Mr.. W Ills of New iork offered an amendment
fixing the pay of midshipmen at $500 when
sea duty, 5000 when on shore duty, and $500
than received.
The amendment was re- ected.
Mr. Willis also moved to reduce the number of
navy chaplans from twenty-iour to fourteen. Ia
This was also rejected.
Mr. Willis also moved to strike out the appro-
nristion for forty three mates aud to abolish that
rate.
The amendment was rejected.
The provision in the bill prohibiting appoint
ments from civil life of secretal les clerks to
commanders of squadIons, OF to commanders of
vessels, and authorizing the detail of subaltern
officers for such purpose, was discussed and
agreed to.
The provision directing the secretary Of the
Wy TO Institute rigid inquiry into the prefent sys
TEN OF civil establishments Of different bureaus of
the navy yards to the end that the civil force en-
ployed therein may be consolidated and reduced
at least one half was also discussed and agreed
to.
The provision of the bill sppropriating 81 i00.-
900 for the preservation of vessels stocks, etc,
having been reached, Mr.. Daniorth moved to in
crease the amount so S., 100000. The navy had
none too many vessels now. There were but
en- vessels in the Aslstic squadron, while England
had about forty.
After discussion Mr.. Danforths amendment was
rejected.
The committee rose and reported the bill with
ont a single amendmenO and il was Immediately
passed by the House.
Mr.. Hewitt of Ala. moved to set aside the regu-
lar order of the district government bill in order
to take up the Mexican pension bill; rejected.
Adjourned.