Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-21
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
WAsinSGToy, January 90.
Senate.

Tabled
Cockrell introduced bill to provide a uni
form national currency to retire notes of ma
tional banks; 10 prohibit their incorporation
and their issue of notes; to utilize silver and
silver coin, and provide foi' the reissue of coin
and bullion certificates to provide for re-
demption or payment of bonds of the United
States and issue of bonds bearing n lower rate
of interest, and to provide for expansion and
contraction of paper currency, to meet the
business interests and wants of the country.
Tabled.
Morgan submitted series of lengthy reso-
lutions AS a substitute for those recently sub
mitted by Edmunds. This is the substitute
agreed upon in the emocratic caucus.
Mr.. Bruce of Mississippi, from committee
on pensions, reported hill granting DR.. Mary
Walker an increase Of pensions to $40 per
month
Placed on the calendar.
The Senate resumed bill to amend patent
laws.
Mr.. Potter asked leave to offer resolution
authorizing an investigation of the cipher dis
patches, and to have it adopted under suspen-
sion of the rules
Mr.. Butler objected on the ground that he
wished to debate the rcsolu ion, and it was
agreed to.
Mr.. Potter said he should report it to-mor-
row, after reading the Journal.
The Vice President submitted communi-
cation from the Secretary of War enclosing
letters of Generals Sherman, Sheridan and
Terry, recommending an appropriation of
Sl25 900 for erection of military headquarters
at Fort Smelling. MINI. The Secretary con-
ours in the recommendation
Referred to military committee.
Mr.. Withers, from the committee on pen
sions, reportvd f;,vorably on House bill grant
ing Il pension to the widow of General Robert
Anderson.
Placed on the calendar.
The Senate resumed consideration of I'M
finished business, being bill to am, nd patent
laws, the pending question being on amend
ment of Mr.. Davis from Illinois, THAT it
would not be lawful to grant any patent for
any invention, except the invention which was
embraced in the original patent"
After brief discussion it was agreed to.
The bill having been considered in commit
tee of the whole was reported to the Senate,
the question being on concurring in the
amendments mado in committee.
Mr.. Window moved to lay aside the bill
tenn orarily. and take up the naval appropri-
alton bill. In explanation of his motion Mr..
Window said his object was to procure time
to prepare an amendment which would make
the bill IN )re acceptable to his constituents.
Pending discussion the Senate went into
executive session. When the doors were
reopened the Vice President submitted com
munication from the Attorney General in an
swer to the Senate resolution of March 10,
1873, as to whether certain lands granted to
the State of Indiana by Congress to authorize
that State to open n canal through the public
lands, to connect navigation of the Wabash
and Miami rivers and Lake Erie, have revert
ted to the United States, and if so what ac-
ton is necessary to enable the government to
obtain possession thereof The Attorney
General suggested the appointment of com
missioners to examine said canal and report
whether it had been abandoned and no longer
used AS public highway. Should they re-
port in the affirmative, Congress may declare
for reparation, and authorize an attorney to
institute legal proceedings.
Referred to the judiciary committee.
Mr. Edmunds of Vermont, from the judi
ciiry committee, reported for Christiancy OF
Michigan, who is detained at home by sick
ness, with an amendment to the Senate bill
to provide for charges to jurors in trials for
bigamy and polygamy in Utah, and to amend
sec. of at of June "A. 1874. in relation to
courts and judicial affairs in Utah.
Placed on the calendar.
Adjourned.
Among the large number of bills introduced
and referred was one by Mr.. Mooney of Mis-
sssippi to pay certain mail contractors of
Southern States for carrying mails prior to
the war. Among others were the following:
BY Mr.. Durham, to repeal all laws in re-
gard to appointment and pay of supervisors of
elections and other aids by Mr. Bright max
ing Trade and Mexican dollars legal tender;
by Mr.. Cobb, to reimburse the several States
Into 81 1,.D
to authorize the issue of coin certificates in
lieu of gold and silver for deposit in thcTrea
sury; by Mr.. Dunnell repeating all acts
relative to prescription of public lands, also
for survey and sale of public lands; by Mr..
Loring of Massachusetts,, amending laws in
regard to violation of elective franchises.
Mr.. Potter of New York asked leave to Of
fer resolution authorizing investigation of
the cipher dispatches, and to have it adopted
under a supension of the rules, but Mr.. But
Ter Of Massachusetts, objected on the ground
that he wished to debate on the resolution,
and it was agreed that Potter should report it
Tuesday, after reading the journal.
The resolution rectes that certain alleged
kilograms in cipher have been published, in
dicating that attempts were made after the
Presidential election in 1876, to influence, by
fraudulent methods, the vote of electors, or
action of canvassing officers in the States of
Florida, South Carolina and Oregon. 1t di-
reefs the committee on investigation of cleo
ton frauds to inquire into the same, and any
other matter connccte with such election
which may be proper, and appropriates Sl0,-
600 for the purpose of defraying expenses.
Mr. Knott, chairman of the Judiciary COM
mittee reported a resolution to defray the cx-
penses of the Davenport and Blodgett invcs-
LEGATIONS ordered to be made by that COM
mittec.
Adopted.
The House at $50 went into committee of
of the whole on the bill to provide for the set
Element of all outstanding claims against the
District of Columbia, and comforting the ju-
risdiction thereof upon the court of claims.
Mr.. Eden offered an amendment limiting
jurisdiction to cases of contracts arising since
1872.
The amendment with slight modification
was agreed to.
The committee rose and the bill was report
ed to the House AMI passed.
Mr.. Springer introduced bill to secure to
the people of every State equal and just rep
rcsentation.
Referred.
1t provides that after the next census the
legislatures of each State shall apportion the