The Portland daily press., 1878-01-18
XLVth Congress--Regular Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
1 WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
Bills were introduced to punish forcible obstruc
ton of interstate commerce by railroads Referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
Providing for classification of mail matter and
rates Of postage thereon Referred to Post Office
| Committee.
Mr.; Hamn called up the joint resolution appoint
Board of Regents OF Smithsonian Institution vice
Jas. B. Dana, resigned. Agreed to-
Mr.. Wadleigh of New Hampshire, said the family
of the late Senator Morton found among his papers
his views member Of the special committee in re-
gard to Chinese immigration, and the Senate having
writing when the majority report was submitted
the 9th of Feb, 1877, he now presentedasuch views
and moved they be printed. So ordered
After morning hour business Mr.. Dawes submitted
resolutions Of respect to the memory OF the late Sem
ator Morton, and made suitable remarks upon the
lite and character of the deceased.
AT the expiration of the morning hour Mr.. McDon-
aid submitted the following:
Resolved, That from an earnest desire to show
every mark of respect to the memory of on Oliver
P Morton, late Senator of the United States from
the state of Indiana and to manifest the high esti-
entertained of his eminent services his dstin-
guished patriotism and his usefulness as citizen
the business of the Senate be now suspended that the
friends and associates eff the deceased Senator NAV
pay fitting tribute to his public and private virtues
Resolved, That wide spread and public sorrow
on the of his death attested the pro-
found sense of the loss the whole country has
tanned.
Bills were introduced to restrict Chinese immira-
Mr.. Peddie asked leave to offer resolution recit-
ing the insecurity of savings institutions and dimin-
shed confidence in them, and authorizing the Secre-
tary of the Treasury to appoint postmasters in towns
of 5000 population and upwards, agents for the sale
of United States bonds in denominations Of 800 or
less.
Mr. Wood said the subject was already before the
Ways and Means Committee.
Mr.. Waddell said it was also before the Postofice
Committee and he moved the resolution be referred
to that committee.
Mr.. Hoar objected to the offering of the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Hewitt of Ala, from the Committee on PEN
sions, reported bill granting pensions to the
vivng officers, soldiers and sailors, or their widows,
of the Mexican, Creek, Florida and Blackhawk wars
Ordered printed.
The House then took up the bill reported yester-
day by MIR. Frye of Maine from the Judiciary Com
mttee to make persons charged with crimes and Of
fences competent witnesses in U. S. courts. Amend
ments were adopted extending the act to territorial
courts court martias and courts of inquiry, and in
serting the words land his failure to make such re-
guest shall not create any presumption against him."
Bill was passed.
Mr. Banning of Ohio, chairman of the Military
Committee, reported bill directing the Secretary OF
War to pay officers or soldiers in the war with Mex
leo the three months extra pay already provided for
by act OF Congress. Passed.
Mr.. Cox of New York, from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs reported back the following joint
resolution:
Resolved, That regarding with just pride the
achievements OF their countryman, Henry NJ, Stan
ley the distinguished explorer OF Central Africa the
thanks of Congress emneutly due and are here
by rendered to him tribute to his extraordinary
patience, prudence, 10rtIuue, enterprise courage
and capacity in solving by his researches many of |
the most important geographical problems of the age
and gtobe-probems OF continental scope, involving
the progress of our Kind in commerce. science and |!
civilization.
The resolution was passed.
Mr. Bright offered a resolution directing the Sec |
rotary of the Treasury to inform the House of the
amount of interest paid by the government to ma |
tonal banks bonds held as securities for issues of
currency to them. Adopted.
House then went into committee of the whole and |
was addressed by Mr.. Blair of n. H., on the fnan-
clal question.