Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-08
EORTY.FIFTH CONGRESS,
SATURDAY, February S.

HfNa1E.-1He vice PreSlQent lalQ before the
senate number OF communications from the
Secretary Of War, transmitting a report Of Mai.
c. B. Comstock, engineer corps respecting the
cost OF different classes on work on the lake
surveys from June 80, 1871, to June so, 1878; one
from tie quartermaSter general in regard to
measures taken to secure Transportation and
through tickets on certain railroads; one from
the CO ctmmlsSaTy general OF subsistence remon-
sraunS against the proposed reduction of ap-
ptolrIatlons lor MS Office; and one from the ad-
JuiahI general OF the army asking that he be
allow ed % tdit onal clerks and that the cleri-
cal force OF his Office be placed on the same foot
lIg, as TO compensation, with that OF other de-
pai tneitS OF the government. All Of the above
&C ceIninunlcatlonS were referred to appropriate
committees
Tie Vice President also laid before the Senate
lhe annual report of Prof. Baird, secretary OF
Ihe smithsonian Institution. Ordered that IL
De printed and lie on the table.
Mr. Garand presented the credentials OF Hon.
JaiLeS d. walker, elected L. S. Senator from
ARKANSAS Ior SIX years from March 4, 1879. Read
ard placed on file.
MessrS. Conkling, Dawes and others present
ed petitions against the proposed change In the
heth0d OF stamping cigars Referred TO com
mittCe on finance
Mr. Saunders gave notice that he would call
up. at The earliest opportunity the bill recently
iLicuuced by him providing for the temporary
transfer or certain Indian tribes from the con-
tTol OF the Interior to the War department.
ON motion Of Mr.. Window. the Senate still
lutEef insisted upon its amendments 10 The
naval appropriation bill. and the new confar-
ence asked for by the House of Representatives
was agreed to.
ILe Vice President appointed as the new COM
mlttee MessIs. Window, Sargent, and Beck
MI. Window presented the report or the con-
ltlehce committee on the fOrtilication appro-
pf!atiGn bill TO the effect that the committee
had been unable TO agree; and on hSmotiOn the
senate still further Insisted npon its amend
MentS to the bill and agreed to the conference
asked Tor by tie House
MesSls. NiEdOm. Dorsey, and Wallace were
appointed the new cOnfereeS on the part of the
Senate.
Mr.. Sargent. from the conference committee
en- tie Dill TO abolish the volunteer navy OF the
tnited States, submitted a report, and in ex-
pialatlon thereof said the committee had agreed
70 allow TO all officers mustered out under the
Oil ole years pay. The bill affected one ltne
officer and 26 medical officers. Provision had
Geen made for the admission OF the medical Of
examination.
The report was agreed to, and the bill passed.
MI. WlndOm, from the conference committee
On the Indian appropriation bill submitted a
report which was agreed to and the bill passed.
House amendments TO the Joint resolution to
print tie report OF Prof. S. F. Baird, L. S. COM
missioner OF fish and fisheries for the years 1S11
ana 1873, were agreed TO. and the joint resou-
ton passed.
On motion of Mr. Edmunds, the Judiciary
committee was authorized TO sit during the seS-
sioES Of The Senate
Mr. Bayard, from the committee on finance.
reported back with amend aentS House Dill to
amend the laws relating ID internal revenue
Ire amendments reducing the tax On tobacco.
&c, were published yesterday. 1t was ordered
that the bill be printed with amendments and
placed on the calendar.
HOUSE.-hfter reading Of the journal. r. L.
t. Beall was sworn in as a member to till the
vacancy occasoned by the death OF Beverly b.
Douglass, OF Virginia.
On motion OF Mr.. Cox On. " the Senate CEN
suS Dill was taken from the Speakers table and
referred 10 the committee on census.
TIE Speaker announced the regular order to
be the bill reported last night from the CON-
mlttee on coinage, WeightSand measures, au-
IhorZlng the Sub-treaSurer in New York to eX-
change, upon presentation at the sub treasury
Tor coins OF the United States to the extent and
amount that such coins are by law a legal ten
der, an equal amount OF United States notes:
and directing that all silver coins received
under this act, which shall be unfit for circula-
J10n by reason OF abrasion, shall be sent to the
mint for recOinage.
The pending question was on the motion of
MIR. Robbins TO lay the bill On the table, and it
was agreed to-yeaS 121, nays 104.
Mr.. Whtthorne asked leave to present a re-
port OF the committee on naval affairs, In rt-
gard to matters investigated by that commit
tee.
Mr.. Conger objected.
The House then, at Los, went into committee
OF the whole (Mr. Eden in the chair upon the
army appropriation BILL
The pending amendment was that offered by
Mr.. Page as substitute for the Indian transfer
amendment, authorizing the President to trans
Ter the control and management of any of the
Indian tribes temporarily to the War depart
ment whenever he shall deem that action to be
desirable on account of hostility On the part
OF such tribes toward the United States, or on
account Of difficulties between them and the
settlers.