The Portland daily press., 1879-01-08
XLVTH CONGREsS-SECOND SESSION.
Sc NATE.
SENATE.
voorhees, Denounces Secretary Sherman's
Policy and the acknowledgements of
the Constitutional Amendments-The
Patent l. avs.

Policy and the Banks-Enf0rcement Of
the Constitutional Amendments-The
Patent l. avs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Z.
A large number of petitions were presented among
them many from women in various parts Of the
country asking Congress to enact such legislation
will make effective the ant-polygamy act Of 1862;
also from various citizens protesting against the
passage Of the pending bill to revise, amend and con-
sodate the laws relating to patents and against the
transfer of the Indian bureau to the war department
all of which were referred to committees.
Among the bills introduced were the following:
For more efectual collection of the postal revenue
for interchange of subsidiary silver coin and U.
notes. Referred to the finance committee.
To authorize the taxation of outstanding legal
tender notes. Referred to the Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Edmunds said: On this glad morning of the
New Year when there is peace and joy and hope
everywhere he thought it best to offer resolution
tending to cement more perfectly the good will and
harmony now existing all over the country. He
therefore submitted resolution declaring that in the
judgment of the Senate the 18th, 14th and 18th
amendments to the constitution of the United States
have been legally ratified and are as valid other
parts of the constitution; that it is the right and
duty Of Congress to enforce ouch amendments by ap
propriate legislation, and the duty Of the Executive
Department of the government faithfully and with
diligence to imparaly execute such laws; that it is
the duty of Congress to appropriate money to that
end and instructing he judiciary committee to re-
port bill for the protection of rights of citizens and
punishment of attractions thereof Laid on the ia
bic at the request of Mr.. Edmunds, to be called up
hereafter.
Mr.. Voorhees, during the morning hour called up q
resolution submitted by him early in the session in
strucDg the judiciary committee to inquire into the
xpediency of making trade dollars a ega tender,
providing for their recoinage into standard silve-
dollars. He addressed the Senate at length in favor
of his resolution and in the course of his remarks
severely criticised Secretary Shermans policy to-
wards the silver dallar. He also denounced the
action of New York and Boston banks regarding
silver as a rebellion against lawfully constituted au-
thority.
At the conclusion of Voorhees, remarks the resoiu-
ton was laid over without action.
Mr., Beck submitted the following:
Resolved, That the communication from the Score.
tary of the Treasury in answer TO the resolution of
the Senate relative to the amount of silver coin
celyed in payment of customs during the current
fiscal year and the disposition made of it. &c. be re-
ferred to the committee finance who are TO report
by bill or otherwise.
Laid over upon objection of Mr.. Edmunds.
Sargent of California who has been ill some weeks,
oCcupieu Ills sedt III Cuo OenaCe tOudy. MT, pnaFOn
of Nevada also appeared for the first time.
Mr.. Edmunds from the judiciary committee re-
ported back the bill supplemental to the several acts
relative to the Union Pacific Railway and lis
branches providing for the eligibility certain per-
sons to the Office Of director, sc.
He moved the bill be referred to the committee on
railways as it involved no question of law for the ju
dietary committee to consider, and it was SO ordered
MI. Howe reported from the same committee, IA
vorably on the Senate bill authorizing proper ac-
counting officers of the Treasury Department to
audit and pay Samuel B. McLin of Florida, appoint
ed by the President Associate Justice of the Terri
tory Of New Mexico, the salary provided by law for
said ofics for the period during which McLin per-
formed the duties thereof. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Davis Of Ill.,, from the committee on judiciary,
reported adversely on the Senate bill to amend sec.
S56 OF Revised Statutes to allow appeal from
the accounting officers of the Treasury to the Attor
ney General in the cases of the accounts of United
States mashas and district attorneys and it was in
definitely postponed.
Mr.. Chrstiancy from the same committee report
ed adversely On the Senate bill to authorize the bond
holders and other creditors of railway companies to
elect receivers in suits in equity pending in the courts
of the United States, and it indefinitely postpon-
ed.
The Vice President submitted memorial from the
legislative assembly of Oregon praying for modif
cation of the treaty between the United States and
China as to stop and prohibit the importation or
immigration of Chinese AMI other Asiatic aborers to
the Pacific coast. Referred to the committee for
egn relations.
The Vice President submitted a communication
from the Secretary Of War transmitting report
from the chief of ordinance respecting the cost of the
manufactures at the national armory at Springfield,
Mass. Referred to the committee on military af-
fairs
The Senate at the expiration of the morning hour
resumed the consideration Of the bill. to revise the
laws relating to patents and Mr.. Christancy spoke in
favor of the bill.
The amendment which Mr., Davis of Ill. submitted
before the holidays giving any circuit court power
recognize the decision of another circuit in
Of Infringement of patent and grant ipjunctions to
continue pending an appeal to the Supreme Court Of
the United States was agreed to.
Mr. Morgan spoke IN favor of the bill with cert ain
amendments,
Pending the discussion Mr.. Morrill, introduced
bill approprating $2500OO for the erection of fire
proof building for national museum to adjoin the
Smithsonian Institution. Referred to the committee
on public buildings
The Senate went into executive session and wheT
the doors reopened djourned till Wednesday.
HOUSE.
The AcIklen Scaudal-The Next Census
Geneva Award Bill.
Mr.. Acklin made personal explanation in regard
to the scandal attaching to his name for alleged Sc
duction Of young lady in louisiana and presented
resolution for the appointment Of a committee Of
three to inquire into and report upon the charge
made against him. The resolution was defeated OF
The ground that it did not embrace a question o
privilege.
On motion of MIR. Harrison resolution was adopt
ed directing the Judiciary Committee to enquire int
| charges against Henry w. Blodgett, judge for tn
north district of Illinois.
House went into the committee of the whole Oh
the Geneva award bill. Speeches were made b.
Manning Of Mississippi Bright of Tennessee. Phillip
of Kansas and Bacon of New York in favor OF tn
| majority report, and Chittenden of New York il
favor Of the minority report, and the bill went owe
| till Wednesday.
Quite number of bills were introduced including
| one by MT. Cox of New York to provide for takin
the federal census. On his motion the committee Of
census were given leave to report at any time.
Mr.. Wadde, chat rman of the committee on post
offices, reported the bill relating to the classification
of mail matter and the amount Of postage thereon
| Ordered printed and recommitted.
Mr.. Kidder introduced a bill for the admission Q
| Dakota as state. Referred.
| Mr.. Marsh, from the committee on coinage
| weights and measures, submitted report of tina
| committee on the metric system. Ordered printed
| and recommitted.
| The deaths of B. B. Douglass of Virginia and A
S. Williams of Michigan were then announced, am
| the House in respect to their memory adjourned.