The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-02-15
XLy1H CONGRESS S-SECOND SESSION.

SENATE.
The Chiiese Immigration Bill Under
| Discussion.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. Il.
The credentils Of Mr.. Jones of Louisiana, Vance
OF North Carolia and Groome of Maryland, were
filed.
| MI. Morrlll, 1roh the finance committee, submit
ted motion that tie House be equested to return
tne b'i authorizing the issue of certificates of de-
posle In AID or refunding thepublic debt, to be
amended 60 that the proceeds may bs applied to
something beside $40 bonus. Aseed to.
Bill to restrict Chinese immigration was taken ND
and Mr. Blaine spoke in favor of the,ilJ.
| Messrs. Sargent, Hamlin and others allowed
| M. Matthews submitted the following ss SUBJ
| s.itute for the House bill:
That the President is hereby requested to aue mo-
tice to the Emperor of China that existing treaty
stpulations regarding immigration of subjects Of the
Chinese empire to this country, and the practice of
immigration which has resulted therefrom, are not
satisfactory to this government and to request such
notifications thereof will in his opinion limit or
prevent the evils resulting therefrom, and that
less the Emperor shall assent to such notifications
by negotiation Of new treaty to be submitted to
the Senate for ratification, on or before January
1, 1880, the President is hereby authorized and re
quired further to notify the Emperor that this gov
eminent abrogates the existing treaty from and afer
the first of July thereafter.
Mr.. Conkling submitted another substitute which
caused much discussion. 1t was considered more
offensive to the Chinese government.
Finally the Senate adjourned without action,
Senator Bruce of Miss, was called to the chair to-
day and presided over the Senate portion Of the
afternoon being the first time in the history Of the
government that a colored man has occupied the
chair.
Generut Shields Pension BiIl-Another
Contested War Claim Bill.
The House went into committee of the whole on
the private calendar.
A bill for the retirement of Gen. James Shields,
amid confusion, referred to the committee of the
whole.
number OF bills were reported from the military
committee and passed donating condemned cannon
for monumental purposes.
In committee of the whole lengthy discussion
took place on the adverse report of the committee
invalid pensions on the bill granting pension to
soldier In the Kentucky militia who was wounded
while firing salute at United States fort on the
4th OF July, 1865. The argument turned on whether
the man was SO far in the United States service as to
be entitled to pension Finally the adverse report
was concurred in.
One OF the war claim" bills to pay John L. Arm
strong for the rent of wharf in Alexandria during
the war came up for action.
MIR. Conger opposed the BILL contendfng that if the
principle of the bill was correct the troops that
marched across the long bridge ought to have been
preceded by army wagons loaded with specie to meet
the enemy and pay the owners of property which
were to be used for purposes what they demand
ed for their property.
Mr. Butler made non-partisan speech against the
Dill, saying that the Confederate army did damage
by occupation in many parts of Pennsylvania, but
no claim was made by the owners. He said both
sides desired to forget the and let bygones be by
cones, but neither would forget the bravery and
patriotism of the troops
MIR. Shelley and others spoke in opposition, and >
ong debate ensued.
The evening session Of the House was consumed Ivy
talk on general subjects not Of public interest