Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-03
FORTY.FIFTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 2.

ARLINGTON, April z.
The following bills were reported from commit
tees and placed on the calendar;
by MI. Randolph from the military committee
establishing the rank of senior inspector general
BY Mr.. Booth from the committee on public
lands for the sale OF timber lands in California
Oregon and Washington Territory.
By MIR. Morrill, from the finance committee Il
allow the repayment by the secretary Of the
treasury OF the tonnsge tax when it had been ex
acted IN contravention of the treaty provisions.
By MIR. Maxey from the committee on M Military
ana'fs, to provide Tor code of army regulations
By MIR. Teller from the comDltte on railroads
for survey of the Austin, Topolovampa Pacific
route.
MIR. Cockrell, from the committee on military
affairs, reported the house e.olution granting the
use OF artillery &C., for college reunion at NJ iret
ia, Ohio, in September.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Burnside, from the same committee, rep u t.
ed adversely upon the memorial of John NJ. Good
hue for restoration to rank in the army.
1t WAS indefinitely postponed.
MIR. Randolph introduced bin granting NUM-
tons of war to the Washington Association OF
New Jersey.
Referred to the committee on military sff.ms.
The resolution to transfer to the State depart
ment for safe keeping the records of the commits
sion on the electoral count, was agreed to.
The bill for the relief of William l.. Hickman
OF Missouri. was passed.
Mr. Burnside called up as special order, bill to
Iemove all restrictions now resting in regard to
the enlistment OF colored citizens in any arm OF
the United States service.
Mr.. Burnside explained there were but two sec
tons IN the revised statutes that placed restriction
upon enlistment Of colored men, and the military
committee therefore passed as substitute for the
bill proving repeats Of these two sections.
Ine morning hour having expired, Mr. Burn.
| SIDES bill to remove all restrictions now in exist
ence in regard to enlistment of cOlored citizens liz
the recOmmifted wit
by Mr.. Blaine, that hereafter colored men shall
have full right to enlist in ell arms of the ser.
vice. ,.
The senate then considered the railroad funding
bill. s,lt
MIR. Morrill, spoke in support of the judiciary
committee bill.
Mr.. Harris moved that the bill for the relief OF
the book agent of the Methodist church south be
made special order fol next Wednesday.
Rejected, not two-thirds voting for it,
The senate went into executive session, and
when the doors were re-opened adjourned
House..
The bill fixing the salary of the collector OF
customs at Plymouth, Mass, at $l55 per annum
and collector at Nantucket At $3.50, was passed.
The house took up the report of the committee
on civil service reform, in regard to the case OF
door keeper Polk.
Mr.. Harrison proceeded to explain the report OF
the majority which bad recommended the sdop.
ton OF retolu ion declaring the Office of door
keeper vacant.
The committee had been, he thought, perfectly
uninhuenced bv partisanship, and Mr.. Polk had q
iair and kindly Investigation as any man could
have. He (ilarlsou) had gone into that commit
tee with the resolution if possible to save Polk.
lie had voted for that gentleman for doorkeeper
both in tue hou,e and caucus, but Polk had made
law unto hiu self and must stand the consc.
quences.
The democratic party was pledged to civil ser.
vice re form, and would it go before the country
and say; 1--WE will fight the republicans who
commit wrong, but spread the whitewa over
our own friends
lie believed the house should not retain in
office man whom the law was no rest amt. In q
republic obedience TO the law Was the only 10y atty
citizen could show, and when an officer rode
over the law aud set a bad example to the people,
he should be made an example of himself.
At the conclusion of Mr. Harrison's speech the
house adjourned.