The Portland daily press., 1878-01-30
XLVth Congress--Regular Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.
Mr.. Howe from the committee on library reported
favorably on the House joint resolution accepting
Carpenters painting of 'Lincoln and his Cabinet"
presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson of New
York.
After some debate the resolution was agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted a resolution instructing
the committee on military affairs to inquire and re-
port whether at any time since July 18th, 1866 any
person had been appointed to the army contrary to
% OF the act OF that date contrary to 1918
of the Revised Statutes Agreed to.
He also submitted an amendment to the rules pro-
viding that when any disturbance shall occur in the
galleries or corridors OF the Senate it shall be the
duty of the Sergeant-at-arms and the Capitol police
to arrest them and bring them to the bar of the Sem
ate.
Mr. Beck of Kentucky called up the resolution
submitted by him last week declaring it unnecessary
or inexpedient to maintain impose taxes at this
time for the purpose of providing for the $37
asked for by the Secretary of the Treasury for the
sinking fund, and spoke in favor of passing that
resolution.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Beck's remarks Messrs.
Morrill, and Dodge gave notice that they would have
something to say about the resolution hereafter.
The morning hour having expired the resolution
was laid aside and the Senate resumed the consdera
tion of the unfinished business being bill to
thorze free coinage of the standard silver dollar and
to restore its legal tender character.
Mr.. Wallace of Pennsylvania spoke in support of
double coinage, and Mr.. Bayard in opposition.
MIR. Anthony at o'clock moved for an executive
session.
This was an important matter and though he did not
expect vote today he hoped the debate would be
continued Tor an hour or two longer.
Mr.. Anthony withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Dawes spoke in opposition to the bill
Mr.. Cameron of Wis.,, submitted amendment
to the bill to provide that the dollar should con-
sst of 420 grains of standard silver instead OF 4l2t
grains Ordered printed.
Mr.. Burnside submitted an amendment to the
clause declaring that said dollar should be legal ten
der for all debts public and pri Yate, provide
that it shall be legal tenders for all debts public and
private amounting to sums over $780, Ordered to be
printed.
The Vice President submitted to the Senate a
message from the President enclosing copies of the
reports of the commissioners of Indian affairs and
tue general land office in answer to the resolution
the 10th ult in regard to the payments to Indians.
Referred to the committee on Indian affairs
Mr.. Christiancy took The floor to speak upon the
silver bill but yielded to an executive session. after
which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
number of bills, petitions, etc., were introduced
and REFEREED among them two petitions by Butler OF
Massachusetts, protesting against the passage of the
silver BILL Butler, however, explaining that his
judgement was not in accord with the petitions.
Mr.. Butler also presented memorial of the Nor
folk conference OF Unitarian and other churches at
Wapole Mass, declaring that honesty was the vital
the Bland silver bill. Referred.
Butler-Mr. Speaker, will you be kind enough to
send me the Bible from the desks (LaughterA At
ter searching tor the passage he desired amid great
laughter, Butler sent to the clerks desk and had
read the passage from the second chapter of st.
changers from the temple and saying to them,
snake not my fathers house house of merchan-
dise.''
Butler-After that reproofI have no further word
to say. Great laughter)
Durham, from the appropriation committee, re-
ported bill making appropriations for detecting
trespassers or public lands. Referred to the COM
mlttee of the whole.
Bill to make importers use the metric system of
weights and measures referred
Lutrell Of California presented petition of COO
laborng men of his district asking for the modica-
ton Of the Chinese treaty in order to prevent the in
hux of Chinese TO America. Referred.
Alter a somewhat amusing discussion OF the eub-
ject OF admissions to the floor resolution was adopt-
ed directing the rule be rgdly enforced and that the
issuing OF passes be discontinued The Speaker
stated that after today he would revoke all passes
that ex-members of Congress desiring admission to
interested in pending legislation and that The
ton OF the rule would exclude employees, clerks to
committees and private secretaries,
The morning hour then commenced at 2.30 O'Clock
and committees were called for reports.
Mr.. Kenna, from the committee on commerce,
reported back the bill to recognize the woodruff
scientific expedition around the world. The bill
grants for the purpose of the expedition an Amer-
can register to foreign built vessel.
Mr.. Frye inquired why it was that no American
vessel could be found suitable for the purpose?
Mr.. Kenna replied that he knew of no better reas-
on than the fact that the system of legislation for the
last 20 years has driven American commerce and
ships from the high seas.
Mr.. Frye said he would offer an amendment pro-
vlding that when the purposes of the voyage were
accomplished the American register should be sur
rendered.
Mr. Cox of New York-If the gentleman agrees to
that he will not get a vote from me for it,
Mr.. Frye-I know that.
Mr.. Kenna refused to yield for the amendment
Mr. Cox favored the bill and said that the law for
babe Americans to buy abroad and the tariff forbade
them to build at home
Mr. Potter Of New York opposed the bill. He was
opposed to the tariff He would be glad to see the
time when ships would he allowed to come in free,
but the law should be equal and impartial and there
should be no individual legislation.
MIR: Hewitt inquired why the promoters OF the en-
terpse could not get their ship in foreign port and
from there sail to any portion of the globe.
Mr.. Kenna-Because do not want to send our
Yankees abroad in pursuit of knowledge under a
foreign flag.
The bill passed, yeas l67, nays 1oO Adjourned.