The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-18
xLvTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION.
ENATE.
A. II. Stewart Il Co.'s Complaint A gainst
Secretary shei man-The Potter Bill.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
Mr.. NJ rgau of Ala presented the credentials of
George Houston, U. S. Senator from Alabama, for
six years from the 4th of March next, succeeding
Spencer. Placed on file.
Mr.. Sa ibury of DEL, submitting resolution call
ing upon the Secretary of the Treasury for informa-
ton as to the amount of commission or other COM
pensaton paid to bankers and broker firms, compan-
les syndca or in lividuas for services in negotiat
ing the sae of u S. bonds or securities from 1862 to
the present time; what amount was PAID Tor services
in retuudng bonds and whether interest has been
pad on called bonds. and at the same time paid on
bonds sold to redeem such bonds; how much double
interest has been paid on each class of bonds, and
how much money has been allowed to remain on de-
post in National Banks, designated as repositories.
Mr. Morrill, suggested the resolution lie referred to
the committee on finance.
Mr.. Salisbury would not consent and Morrill, OBJ
ected to further consideration of the resolution to-
day, and it was laid over.
Mr.. Allison from finance committee reported ad-
verselyon bill to authorize killing of fur seal and other
fur bearing animals within the limits of Alaska terri
tory, and it was indefinitely postponed. This bill
was introduced by Mr.. Cameron Of Wis, the Path of
last January.
The Vice President submitted communication
from the Secretary of War transmitting report
from the Commander General of the department Of
Missouri, in regard to the establishment of mill
tary post in the vicinity of Epaso Texas. The Sec
rotary says both Gems Sherman and Sheridan recon-
mend an appropriation of $4,000 for the purpose,
and he concurs therein. Referred to the committee
on military affairs.
Mr.. Herman presented the petition of A. T. Stewart
d Co., strongly intimating that the Secretary of the
Treasury has unwarrantably nterfered in the matter
If Ill.
and asking the appointment of committee to nves-
tigate the whole subject in order that some fitting
change may be made and the law for the ascertain
ment of values whereby repetition Of the wrong
done by government officers under simulated forms
of law, may be avoided and made impossible in the
future.
Mr.. Anthony navel to lay aside temporarily the
unfinished business, being the bill to amend and per-
feet the patent laws and to proceed to the consdera
ton Of bills on the calendar not objected to- Re-
jected,
The consideration Of the bill to amend the patent
laws was resumed
Mr.. Matthews withdrew lis amendment and otbe,s
were offered and rejected.
Mr. Hoar submitted the following amendment:
Aud whenever patent has been issued to two or
more persons Jointly, describing CT representing
matter whish was an invention of only one, for
which the inventor thereof might have lawfully TAX
en- separate patent to himself said inventor may be
secured to the first inventor thereof, by reissue of
the patent so jointly issued upon the proceedings
mad as IN other cases of reissue and with the
sent i'll writing of the assgnees such reissue to inure
to the benefit OF all persons claiming uuder the orig
ing patent as if their claims had arisen under the
patent SO ressued except as provided in the 9Th
ton.
The amendment led to lengthy discussion, but was
finally agreed to-
MI Wallace said he and Senator Bayard desired to
be excused from further service on the Teller specia
committee to investigate the recent elections
MI. Hoar objected, but it was finally agreed that
the matter be arranged between the members of the
committee, and the request of Wallace to excuse
himself and Bayard was. granted.
The Vice President appointed McDon aid and RAN
dolph to fill the vacancies
Mr.. Plumb introduced a joint resolution providing
for the payment of 80 per centum Of the amounts re-
quired by law to be withheld from certain railways
for transportation service rendered for the govern
ment Referred to the railroad committee.
The bill is in accordance with the recommendation
of the Secretary OF War sent to the Senate Thurs
day.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
u hC AAOusc AAtStauFaHt tAeepef CnarSe0
with Selling fkum-A Lively Discussion
over a Second William and MARI Bill.
MI. Ellsworth presented charges against the keeper
of the house restau ant in relation to selling liquors
in violation of house rules and offered resolution
directing the committee public buildings to in
quire into the matter. Referred.
The House went into committee of the whole OIL
the private calendar. After laying aside several
bills to report to the house, the bill was reached for
payment of to the trustees of the Protestant
Episcopal seminary and high school in Virginia. for
rent of building during the war.
Mr.. Conger opposed it as war claim.
MI. Eden said he voted against the William and
Mary college bill, but this was an entirely different
case. 1t was not setting a.precedent, but FLOWING
one, because the government had always paid for
rent of property. 1t would be disgraceful for the
government not to pay for it.
Mr.. White (Pa opposed the bill as a war claim,
for which the government is not responsible The
artful position of the friends of the bill might seem to
characterize it as entirely for rent but the enormous
amount of the claim indicated Enthusiastically that
there had been blended in it claim for damages.
He opposed it on that ground and because the trus-
tees who were to be benefited by it had been disoyaI
to the Union.
Mr.. Hunton thought that if ever claim had been
brought before Congress which should be treated in
non-sectlonal manner, this was such one. The
college had been built by aid from the north, and
had scattered its students all through the country.
The question was one not Of damages but of contract
He held that the government was as much bound to
pay rent for this building for any other building
occupied by it in the United States He admitted
there was no express contract for rent, but there
was an implied contract.
The discussion was continued by Messrs. Town
send Kelly Bright and others, and without reaching
vote the committee rose and the house passed enc
of the other private bills agreed to in committee OF
the whole. Adjourned until Saturday.