The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-25
XLVth COngress--Regular Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Jan. "a.
Resolutions directing the appropriation committee
to examine into the affairs and management of the
Freedmen's In the District Of Columbia were agreed
to.
Mr.. Burnside submitted resolution directing the
judiciary committee to notify COL B. P. Runkle
when hfs case is taken up and providing he may ap-
pear personally and by counsel before the committee
and be heard in regard to his case.
Mr.. Edmunds stated that the practice of the judi
cary committee had always been to allow parties to
file written briefs stating their case.
After debate 1t was decided that the judiciary COM
mittee would not hear oral statements from parties
or counsel in either RunkIe's Diapers cases,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the reso-
luton Of Matthews to pay the interest ana principal
of the bonds in silver, and MIR. Lamar spoke in re-
gard thereto.
Debate on the Conkling amendment to make reso.
luton joint instead OF concurrent one was advo-
Gated briefly by Mr.. Conkling in favor and by Mr.
Thurman who opposed the amendment.
The debate was continued in colloqual manner
by Edmunds, Thurman andiKernan, and at 435 the
Senate adjourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the
bill amending the laws concerning commerce and
navigation and the regulation of steam vessels.
ME- townsend tt moved to strike out the section
by any passenger on steam vessel through fire. ex-
plesion or other causes, such casualty occurring
SELL said shall only be liable to the extent of
his interest in such vessel Mr.. Townsend said that
under that section he might DO roasted alive the
Hudson river in steamboat owned by Vanderbilt
who was worth his millions, and yet that gentleman
could only be held liable to the extent of the value Of
the hulk of the vessel.
Mr.. Beebe offered an amendment providing that
any person sustaining loss through the careessness
or wilful misconduct of the mate, engineer or pilot
might sue the owner of the vessel for damages. He
said according to the provisions of the bill the
OF vessel was held responsible only to the extent of
the value OF the hull while it allowed the agents of
the owner to be sued for an unlimited amount. He
was surprised that the gentleman who had charge of
the hill (Reagan of Texas should bring into the
House bill which was confessedy in the interest of
property. 1t time something was done in the
interest of human life.
Mr.. Reagan denied that he was representative Of
to demagoguery, and he trusted that he would be
opposed to 1t till he went to his grave.
After further discussion the amendment of Mr..
Beebee was rejected, yeas 81, nays 1872.
paragraph by inserting the words son Indictment
and conviction Of such careessness, &C.," which was
agreed to.
Mr.. Hooker moved to strike out of the paragraph
without the fault, privty or knowledge Of the owner
or owners, his their total liability shall not exceed
the value of his or their interest in such vessel"
long discussion ensued on this proposition which
Mr.. Townsend of New York moved to strike out
the entire paragraph in relation to the liability of
owners. Lost, yeas a. nays 1877.
As amended the section makes the master or own
er of any steamboat responsible to full amount of in
jury to passenger If an accident happens through
their fault If not only to the amount of the owuers
interest in the vessel also provides for the punish
ment of steamboat officers guilty Of carelessness or
misconduct by Imprisonment not exceeding three
years.
Mr.. Lockwood moved an amendment to the section
nxlng the salaries OF steamboat inspectors, classify
them from $1,000 year at New York and New Or
leans, down to $500 at Puget's Sound Apalachicola,
Oswego, &c.
Pending the discussion the House adjourned.