The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-26
XLVth Congress-ReguIar Session.
SENATE.

WAoHiNGION. req. 20.
Mr.. Conklng presented petition of James Cor
don Bennett, citizen of the United States, now
residing In Europe, asking Congress to aid HIM in
the way designated in seeking discoveries at the
arctic vessel and intended to and run her at his
own expense. The petitioner desired the vessel
should carry me American nag, and be (Conklng)
moved the petition be referred to the Committee on
Commerce. So referred.
Mr.. Wallace Introduced bill to provide for carry
ing ocean mails IN American steamships. Referred
TO the Committee on Post-offces.
Mr.. VOORHEES, called up resolution providing for
inquiry in relation to the issue OF certain bonds by
Indians of Indian Territory.
The amendment of Mr.. Dorsey, directing inquiry
also as to money expended by tribes Of the Indian
Territory in support Of delegates to Washington
accepted and the resolution agreed to- 1t was Or
dered investigation be made by the Committee on
Territories.
Mr.. Eaton presented petition of L. B. Wolsey
and other citizens of New Haven, praying for an
appropriation OF the unexpended balance of the
Chinese indemnity fund to relieve the sufferers by
the famine prevailing in China. Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The Seuate then proceeded to consider bills on the
calendar.
At2.l0p.m. a message was received from the
House announcing concurrence in the amendments
to the silver Pill. An engrossed copy of the bill,
signed by Speaker Randall, was delivered to the
Senate for the signature of the Vice President but
Mr.. Hoar was temporarily in the chair and the bill
AMI at 2.30 p M the Vice President returned to the
Senate and immediately signed the bill, which fact
was announced III open Senate, and the bill now
goes to the President for signature.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted an amendment to the
military academy appropriation bill, in place of the
second and third sections so as to provide that in
time OF peace vacancies occurring in the rank of
Second Lieutenant the army shall be filled as io
lows: One-third by the appointment of civilians;
one-thirdby the promotion OF meritorious non-com-
missioned officers of the army and one.third from
graduates of the military academy, the selections
be determined by lot and hereafter officers shall be
attached to any company or corps of the army, and
all graduates of the military academy who are not
appointed to the army under the provisions of this
act shall be discharged upon the graduation of their
class. Referred to the Committee on Appropr ia
lions.
the provision for additional pay to officers acting
Instructors. Referred to the same committee.
Mr. Matthews submitted an amendment to that
bill providing for the assignment OF retired army
officers to duty at the academy professor OF law
Referred to same committee
Mr.. Plumb submitted preamble and resolution,
quoting certain statements made in the report OF the
government and directors OF the Union Pacific rail-
road. by that road and Others and directing the
Secretary of the Interior to inquire of the govern
and directors of the Uuen Pacific railroad what re-
curities the company had taken or hollis (whether
stocks bonds other evidences of debts for its var
Gus branches. Ordered printed.
Mr.. Wallace called up the bill to authorize long
bond for the investment of savings for the purpose
of submitting several amendments, the most import
ant of which provides that the Secretary of the
Treasury shall keep such bonds for sale at national
banks as we'll sub treasures and designated de-
positories, aud other amendments of verbal char
acter. Ofdered printed.
Senate bill to amend Sec 1910 of the Revised Stat
utes relative to fuel forage and quarters of officers
OF the army. was called mp.
Mr.. Moxey submitted an amendment providing
that when officers Of the army may be as igned TO
duty which requires them to be mounted they SHALL
while on such duty, receive the pay and emolum ents
of the same grade of cavalry officers respectively
Agreed to and the bill passed as amended.
After the Vice President had signed the silver bill
the joint resolution to authorize the Secretary OF
War to issue certain arms to the Washington Light
Guards at Charleston was taken up, and Mr. Butler
in explanation, said it was to relieve the officers Of
the company from bonds given by them as security
tor arms loaned to them with which they visited the
Centennial Resolution passed. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
bill was introduced aud referred authorizing the
issue of United States notes and redemption Of GER
tain United States banks.
Mr.. Bland submitted resolution requesting the
President transmit all copies of correspondence
between cur government and England in regard to
the selection of NJ Deosse third commissioner in
regard to fisheries. Laid over until tomorrow.
number of bills for issuing certificates for silver
bullion deposited in United states mnts were intro
duced and referred.
The Speaker has affixed his signature to the eurol-
ed silver bill.
Several bills were introduced and referred nclud-
ing the following:
For the establishment of naval station at Port
ROYAL.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution re-
ating to the election of President and Vice Pres-
dent.
To authorize the free coming of standard dollars
and the issuance of certificates to deIostors Of silver
bullion at the United States mnts.
To organize life station and coast guard SER
vice.
Bills were further introduced to gradually retire
the circulating notes of national banking associations
and replace the same with treasury bonds.
Authorizing the deposit of silver bullion IN the
treasury and the issuance of certificates therefor.
For the free coinage of the silver dollar.
Also to utilize the product of gold and silver mines
and to provide for the issuing OF certificates OF gold
and silver bullion deposited in mints.
To reduce the pay Of navy officers, and to reduce
the number of such officers in line and staff.
Mr.. Banning of the military committee, reported
back the bill recognizing the army, consolidating
ceI tain of its departments and reducing lis cost.
Ordered printed and Tecommtted.
Mr.. Scales, chairman of the committee on Indian
affairs reported bill to transfer the Indian Bureau to
the War Department.
In the Committee of the whole Mr. Muller offeI ed
resolution directing the Freedmans bank commits
soners to report why the funds already accumulated
their hands have not been distributed, and to give
an itemzed account of all moneys distributed by
them and the of all debtors to the institution
.Adeptea.-
IA resolution Iatraaueed- direeting the-Secre-
ary of the Treasury to transmit the repart OF Capt
Merrmon of the Life-saving bureau, with reference
to the loss of the steamer Metropolis.
MIR. Hartridge offered resolution directing the jul
dietary committee to Investigate the condition oil
the government interests in connection with the
proposed foreclosure of the mortgage of the Kansas
Pacific railroads and into any fraud or wrong-doing
on the part of the directors. Referred.
At O'Clock the Speaker signed the enrolled silv ell
bill
Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts, give notice that he
would seek the floor at O'Clock tomorrow and adj
dress the House on the financial question. Adjourn