Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-12
FORTY-SIHTH CONGRESS.
FRIDAY. December II.

i.
The SENATE was not in session TODAY
HOUSE.-Mr. Gibson introduced bill. which
was referred to committee on commerce for the
appointment of an nter-oceanic commission to
determine the best plan and route for the estab.
lishment OF communication for trade and COM
merce between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
across the 1sthmus of Darien.
Ut provides for the appointment of a commits
sion. to consist OF members to be selected by the
President, one from the navy, one from the
Amy, one from the coast survey, and two from
civil life; the three first to serve without extra
compensation, and the two latter to receive $500
per rmonth, which commission shall be called the
Inter-oceanic CommiSSion.l
Mr.. Gillette introduced bill in opposition to
the retirement OF greenbackS in favor of subSti-
tuflng them for national bank notes, and for
the free coinage of silver. Referred
The Speaker proceeded to call committees for
reports OF private nature
Mr.. Phelps, from committee on ways and
means. reported bill refunding to certain citi-
ZenS or Lynchburg. Va, taxes improperly COL
lected. Referred to the committee Of whole
Bllls were passed removing the political dis
abilities OF Abner Smead. of oregon. J. NJ
Brooks and g. II. Hill, of Vt, and ". r. Butt
of Cal
Bill was passed authorizing the assistant trea-
Surer OF the United States, at New York, to
same affects certain drafts on him now held by
the Masonic Bank Of Pittsburg, Pa.
MI. McCOok, from committee on military af-
fairs, granting the right of way across the Water
Shops pond, in Springfield Mass, to the Spring.
field and New London r. r. company. Passed
Mr.. Epson, from same committee, reported
bill for the relief of Doddridge & Davis, Of Texas
Mr.. Morse, from committee on naval affairs
reported bill to locate and purchase new site
Tor the Z. s. naval observatory. Referred to
committee of the whole.
Mr.. Bicknell, from committee on foreign af-
fairs. reported bill permitting Lieut. F.v. Greene
to accept certain decorations conferred on him
by the Emperor OF Russia. Passed.
AcElpO of la from committee mineS
mining, reported bill Incorporating the White
Wood, Flume company Referred to committee
OF Whole.
On motion of Scales, of n c., Senate Joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary of Interior
to negotiate with the Indians for the relinquish-
ment OF their reservation in Colorado, was
taken from the Speakers table and referred to
the committee on Indian affairs.
Baker, OF Ind, from committee on appropria-
tons, reported back the fortif1cation appropria-
tion bill, which was referred to committee OF
whole. and the House then, at 1:2O, went into
committee Converse, of Ohio, in the chair upon
that bill.
provisions OF the bill. With one sin
gle exception, the bill was the same
as had been reported for the two last years.
1t appropriated for the preservation and repair
of Notifications 500, ,O00 and $50 600 for the pre-
paration of tOrpedoes for harbor defense. The
item for the amount OF sea-coast fertilization,
including heavy guns, howitzers powder, &C..
had been increased by the sum Of 800, 900. so
that that item of the present bill amounted to
1925, 600 in place of 1000 last year. The esti
mate of the chief OF ordinance for that service
had been 81 ,067,O the Secretary of War had re
duced that estimate to $500, 600 and the commit
tee had reduced it to 1925 900. The increase in the
appropriation was for the purpose of converting
smooth-bore cannon into rified guns II Con-
gress continued to appropriate s225,O year
for that purpose it would be 20 years before
enough could be converted to arm the forts in
the harbor of New York.
Mr.. Reagan moved to amend by making an
appropriation of 900 for batteries for the de-
fence of Galveston harbor He spoke in favor OF
his amendment. The city of Galveston could be
bombarded and burned by any vessel of mari
time power. II 1t was necessary to provide for
the defence of other sea-pOrts then it was neces-
Sary to provide for the defence OF that one.
The fortitication appropriation bill was finally
passed by the House; also the pension appro-
priatiOn bill.