San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-03-30
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.


In the Senate, on the 18th, the bill in aid
of the Polar expedition designed by James
Gordon Bennett passed unanimously with
out debate. The House bill for the relief of
VIM. A. Hammond, late Surgeon General,
was taken up and passed with but one dis.
senting vote, Senator Plunb's. Senator Tel.
Ter presented u petition of Robert 6. Inger-
soil, of Illinois, and others, in which they say
enacted for the ostensible purpose of sup.
pressing obscene literature, are in the Opin.
ion OF the petitioners plain violations of
the letter and spirit of the fundamental prin-
ciples of our Government, and are now being
used for the purpose of moral and religious
prosecutions, and praying that such stat
utes may be repealed. The petition was re.
ferred to the Committee on Revision of
Laws On motion of Senator Thurman, the
bill reported by the Committee on Judiciary
in regard to the Pacific Railroad sinking fund
was taken up, and speeches in favor OF the
bill were made by Senators Thurman and
Davis of Illinois. 49,. The House spent the
larger portion of the day in considering the
Diplomatic Appropriation bill in. Committee
Mr.. Cox severely criticised former speech
of Mr.. Hewitt, and charged upon the latter
that he "was in great part responsible for
the Electoral Commission, and he Hewitt
naturally desired to have the result certified
as good. The result, however, was bad-no
washing would rinse out the damned spot"
In the Senate, on the 18th, the Fortifica-
ton Appropriation bill was reported from
committee and placed on the calendar. SEN
ator Kellogg introduced a bill to aid the New
Orleans and Pacific Railroad Company; also,
to establish a mint at New Orleans.
Both were referred. Senator Morgan,
ported bill for the relief of book agents
of the NJ. E. Church South. Placed on
the calendar. 1t appropriates $500 to com
property at Nashville during the war. Sem
ator Teller, member of the committee, sub
mitted minority report, signed by himself,
Mcmillan and Cameron OF wisconsin, against
called up the motion submitted by. him yes
terday to refer the communication of the
Secretary of the Interior in regard to tim
Der depredations to the Committee on
Public Lands, and have it printed in
the record. Senator Matthews said he asked
to have the document printed in the record
from whicS Which, it V emanated had been attacked
Yesterday in the Senate. Senator Blaine, who
had heretofore opposed the printing of the
report, again spoke at length upon the sub,
Of one dollar per acre exacted
from the people of Montana was excessive.
Senator Sargent also opposed the motion to
print, and the subject was LAID aside without
action. The West Point Appropriation bill
was then taken up and passed. Senator Pad
dock called up the Senate bill supplementary
to an act in relation to the Hot Springs
reservation in the State of Arkansas. 1t
continues the commission appointed by
that act to hear cases of claimants, etc.,
until the LIST of October, 1878, and pro-
vides that they shall each receive compen-
sation at the rate of $780, per annum. Sem
ator Dorsey moved to amend the bill so as to
continue the commission until February l,
1879 instead of October /, 1878. Agreed to.
He also submitted an additional section au-
thorizing the superintendent of the reserva-
ton to lease sites with privileges for fur