Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-13
Ohio River Commission,
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, December 18th.

Mr.. Gibson introduced a bill for the
appointment OF an Inter-Oceanlc com
mission, To determine the best plan and
route for the establishment OF a COmmu-
nication for trade and commerce be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,
across the ISthmus of Darien. Referred.
The bill provides for the appointment,
by the President, of a commission to
consist OF five members, 10 be selected
one from the navy, one from the army,
one from the coast survey and two from
civil life, the first two named to serve
without extra compensation and the two
latter to receive 500 per month, which
commission shall be called the Inter
Oceanic Commission.
Mr.. Gillette introduced hill in Oppo-
ton to the retirement OF Greenbacks
and i'm favor OF substituting them for
National bank notes, and Tor the free
coinage Of silver. Referred.
The Speaker then called the commit
mittees Tor reports OF a private nature,
Mr.. Morton presented Il memorial
of the sugar importers and reilners
praying the early consideration and re-
vision of the sugar tarlit.
The Senate Joint resolution author
iZing the Secretary of the Interior 10
negotiate with the Ute Indians for re-
linuuishing their reservation in Color
ado was taken from the Speaker : table
and referred to the Committee on
Indian Affairs.
Mr. Baker, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported back the iortl-
tiCation appropriation bill, and the
House went into Committee OF the
Whole, Mr.. Converse in the chair, upon
that bill. Mr.. Baker proceeded 20 eX-
plain the provisions OF the bill, and said
that, with single exception, the bill
was the same as had been reported for
the last two years. The item for the
amount of armament of the coast fortiti-
cations, including heavy guns, liowit-
ZerS, powder, &c, has been increased by
the sum of 100000, so that item of the
present bill amounted TO S225, 900, in
place of $4,000 last year. The eSti-
mate OF the Chief Of Ordnance ior that
service had been II ,O67 900. The Secre-
tarv Of War had reduced that estimate
10 $500, 600, and the committee had re-
duced it 20 S225,0OO. The increase
in the appropriation was for the
purpose OF converting the smooth
bore cannon into rifle guns
il Congress continued to appropriate
S225, 600 a year for that purpose itwould
be twenty years before enough would
be conveyed to arm the forts on the
border OF New York.
Mr.. Reagan moved to amend by max
ing an appropriation Of $4,000 for bat
teries for the defence OF Galveston bar
Dor. He spoke in favor Of his amend
meut.
Messrs. Baker, lIawley and Clymer
opposed the amendment. The latter
said the committee was unanimous IN
the opinion that il was neither wise nor
necessary at this time TO enter upon any
general system OF sea coast iortitca-
tiOns.
Mr.. Reagan 5 amendment was adopted,
and the committee rose and reported
the bill to the House and 1t passed.
The House then went into Committee
OF the Whole on the pension approprla-
ton bill.
Mr.. Iubbell proceed TO explain the
bill. Ii approPriateS So, ,4O4,OOO as
against S2g, ,26G,OOO last wear. The in
crease had been neCeSSjtated by the
large increase in the number OF pensions
during the last year.
The bill was agreed to i'm committee
without amendment, and, on being re-
ported 10 the House, was passed.
The House then went into Committee
Of the Whole on the private calendar
The first bill on the calendar was one
appropriating $4,000 a indemnity and
conversation 10 the widow and heirs ot
Henry Leei, in consequence OF the IL
legal seizure of the bark Mary Theresa,
by the United States Consul at Bahia,
Brazil. After long debate, Mr.. Smith,
OF Pennsylvania, asked Mr.. Mcl.ane who
was advocating the bill, and whether the
Government was responsible for the
tOrts OF its officers.
Mr.. McLane replied that it certainly
was, but immediately added that it was
not legally responsible. This was, how
ever, he said, a claim appealing TO the
grace Of Congress. The claim had
been before Congress for thirty
wears and had five times been reported
iavorably to the House by the Commit
tee on Commerce.
Finally the committee rose and
ported the bill to the House, whe
passed by l25 to 10, the opposition being
led by Mr.. Conger.
Mr.. Covert attempted 10 effect an ad-
iournment Of the House until Tuesday
next, but was unsuccessful.
Mr.. Willis presented the address and
resolutions OF the Mississippi Valley
States Commission. Ordered printed.
Adjourned until Monday.