, 1879-03-02
THE TIRED EN.ATE.
SLEEpLESS HOURS.

oLEEFLES5 dt:Uf1S.
special Dispatch to The Tribune.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 1.-Soon after
O'Clock this morning the Senators were forced
by fatigue to take recess until 10 O'Clock
at that hour seventeen Senators appeared ID
their seats, and they were followed By Others
until at balt-past 10 quorum VAS present,
Some Of them were b'ear-eyed and naggard,
while others were as fresh and as rosy Is the
March corning without.
The consideration Of the Sundry Civil Appro.
priation bill having been resumed, 4 lively de-
bate sprung up on the item appropriatiny SO,
o00 for Mrs. Fassett's picture OF the Is Electoral
Commission" Mr.. Hoar opposed the purchase
now. but said that in the future the party OF
progress would purchase it. Subsequently,
when Mr. Howe said that he believed in seeing
all great events commemorated on canvas, Mr.
Boar asked him whether he would vote for
painting sitting OF the Fishery Commission
at Halifax. Mr.. Howe replied that ho
hadn't thought any one wanted a picture
OF that Commission, but that If they
did he was in favor OF having
it painted. Mr. aoar repeated bis objection to
the purchase Of the picture US commemorative
Of an event of too recent occurrence to be thus
honored.
The item for the purchase Of the picture was
defeated BY vote Of 20 yeas-all Republicans
and 30 nays, including all Of the Democrats,
with Mcssrs. Aoar, kirkwood, Plum, and Wad-
leigh, Republicans.
The effect OF the recent night sessions md
continuous hard work upon the older Senators
is already beginning to tell noticeably upon
them, and to-day the sofas and lounges in the
cloak-rooms were in great demand. The own-
ers OF strong Senatorial constitutions were
themselves
OBLIGED TO SUCCUMB
to the memorable demands OF nature, and many
gentlemen we're caught mapping during the pro-
ceedings. This droWsy and wearied condition Of
the better class of Senators, who are, as q rule,
tht oldest, is highly favorable to the con-
summation Of the sinister designs upon the
Treasury Of very hungry and rascally
lobby. There is accordingly great danger that
towards the small hours Of the session some Of
the uglicst jobs may be sneaked through. The
Senate, however, must be congratulated upon
having accomplished many c1cditable things to-
day. The audacious proposition in the Sundry-
Civil bill to abolish the Office Of Public Printer
and to turn over the Government printing office
with all its paraphernalia and accoutremcnt5 to
Gibson Bros, small firm Of Washington print
ers, for yearly rental OF 5000, was
THROWN OUT OF THE BILL
upon point Of order. Not \
voice was heard in its behalf.
Even those who had promised its authors that
they would support it were afraid to keep their
pledges. It appeared to die OF its Own weight.
Another measure, almost as bad as the fore
going, was the proposed purchase of Boss
C1A7 1fc hy1i3f3i 3ifsr nf Tra ard
Pennsylvania avenue, for 5000, to be used
as the City Post Office. This building was sold
about a year ago to tho mortgages for $125,000,
and the scheme was to hare the Government
buy it for 25,0c0, pay the MORTGAGE his
S125, 5,0C0, and transfer the remaining $20u,0o0 TO
Boss Shepherd and his creditors. The Boss has
been in constant attendance at the Capitol for
several days past, and has spared no effort to
accomplish his purpose. When the section in
question was reached, however, Senator Herman
said that this was
VERY IxoPPoRTENE TIME
for considering subjecIso important, and With
out further debate it was laid upon the table,
which is equivalent to its defeat for this Con-
grcss. It will no doubt mako its appearance
next session.
The Senate failed to escape committing several
palpable errors to-day. In order to ublige
Senator Conking, who made personal appeals
in her behalf, it agreed to the amendment re-
hitting all the taxes that have been levied
upon the estate of Mrs. kate Chase Sprague,
at Englcvood, near this city. Mr. Conkling
did not argue the merits Of this amendment
himself, although he -
Ev1NcED THE GREATEST INTEREST
in the discussion. Senator Harris, OF Tennessee,
who had charge Of the measure, as much as
conceded that it was unprecedented and in
but rested his case upon the ground
that the beneficiary was the daughter
of the late Chief Justice Chase,
who died poor, aid that if the taxes now due
on the Englewood estate were enforced it would
be equivalent to the condscatiop Of the prop
crty. He appealed to the generosity Of Sena-
tdrrs to vote for the amendment, and do this
much for the child Of an illustrious citizen.
Senator Thurman said he knew the late Chief
Chase intimately, and was well acquainted With
his family. BIC would checrfully 70 Us fur as.
any man to assist the family Of his friend, but
be could not vote for the present proposition.
It was based upon
A WRONG PRINCIPLE
He called attention to the fAct that the
OF the late Chief Justice fancy had
never applied for relief from the Government,
but were cl1ng out bare existence rs clerks in
que of tue Departments. They were equally
as entitled to relief rs the daughter Of Chief
Justice Chase.
Senator Salisbury was the most persistent
opponent OF the measure, and it was through
his pcrsisteucy that the yeas ard nays were
ordered.
It was amusing to see tho large number OF
Senators who retired to the cloak-roonas during
,he roll-call and dodge the Tote. They did
not want to vote for the bill because they
lisapproycd of the principle involved, and they
would not vote against it out of Difference to t
he urgent requests Of Mrs. Spraguc's friends
IN the floor Tic amendment was therefore
SO; nays, 81
Respecting the BicrketI claim OF SS3,oU, the
for which was smuGgled into last |
1ear's Sundry Civil bill, and which the House
HAS REPEALED TWICE.
his session once BY separate bill, which the Sen
.tc Appropriation Committee has been infu- |
,nced to stranglc now aud again by amendment !
o the present Sundry Civil oill,-it vas de- |
:iacd to refer the case 10 the Court of Claims, |
md an amendment to that effect |
gas adopted. It is not believed that the House |
sill agree to any such proposition, and alr. Ba-
ra-. ~ Indiana vim will he one of the COLI |