The Portland daily press., 1879-01-29
xLyTH CONGREss-sECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
The Mitchell Claim Bill Defeated.

The Mitchell Claim Bill Defeated.
memorial was presented asking Congress to
establish an industrial bureau. Gov Talbot of
Massachusetts, and several distinguished persons are
among the sIgners. Referred.
message from the House covering Anderson's
testimony in regard to Matthews was received and
referred.
A resolution was adopted that the railroad COM
mittee inquire into the expediency Of authorizing
railway companies to operate telegraph lines for COM
mercal purposes.
MI. Dawes from the committee on public buildings
reported adversely on the memorial Of the Missouri
legislature asking the removal of the National
capital, and on memorials from various labor organ
izaops protesting against the violation of the hour
law.
The Mitchell bill wal discussed at length by
Messrs. Jones of Florida, Edmunds, Mcmillan,
voorhees, and others.
Mr. Voorhees, said the money was not to come out
of the people by taxation 1t was in the Treasury
now the proceeds Of Mitchells property. The
section from which claim came he'd o influence on
hi n whether from Massachusetts or Mississippi, Ver
mont or South Carolina. He would vote for it if
just.
Mr.. Eaton said he had heard $2,o0o,OoO,OOo worth
of Southern claims were to be paid, and as this was
the first he would vote against it, the people
whom he in part represented would know where to
find him. There had been hundreds of thousands OF
dollars paid to good loyal Republicans and it was
about time now to put a stop to it, He had ex-
amined the Southern claims and there were not
more than half dozen he would vote for, and they
involved about half million,
Mr.. Mitchell novel for an executive session.
Rejected.
After some further discussion of the bill to pay
Warren Mitchell for his cotton the Senate refused to
order third reading, yeas II, nays 80.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up his resolutions
declaring the validity of the 18TH 18th and 18th con-
stitutional amendments. Agreed to.
Mr.. Edmuuds said he did not desire to occupy the
floor to-day, and the Senate adjourned to Wednes-
day.
Bill TO Restrict Chinese Immigration
Passed-The Post Office Appropriation
Bill
Mr. Atkins chairman of the committee on appro-
pria,on, reported the legislative, executive and
judicial ap, reputation bill. Referred to the COM
mittee of the whole,
Mr.. Knapp introduced a bill providing that
soldiers who become totally blind in the service
receive pension OF $50 month. Referred
The bill 10 restrict immigration of Chinese was
passed after discussion, yeas 155, nays Y. Before
its passage the restriction of Chinese passengers on
any one vessel to ten was extended to fifteen.
The House went into committee of the whole on
the post Office appropriation bill.
Mr.. Baker of Indiana moved to increase the appre-
priation for mail transportation by railway from
SS,7l5 900 to S9,OOO,OO). After debate in which
Messrs Blount and Atkins criticised the administra-
ton of the Post Office Department as violating the
sprint of the law and Messrs Foster and Baker Of
Indiana defended the action Of the Department. the
amendment Was adopted.
Mr. Chalmers submitted an amendment increasing
the appropriation on steamboats, from $75O,090 to
100000 Agreed to.
Without final action the committee rose.
Mr.. White of Pennsylvania introduced bill
amending the law in relation 10 homesteads so as to
allow soldiers and sailors to occupy by tenants
Referred.
Mr.. Durham introduced joint resolution calling
on the Secretary of State for detailed statement OF
expenditures made by the government at the Paris
exposition. Passed.
The session for to night the levee bill was post
poned one week, and the House adjourned.