The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-21
xLvTH CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.
SENATE.
The Patent Bill Under Discussion-A Bill
Directed Against the National Bauks.
SENATE.

Directed Against the National Bauks.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
Senator Cockrell introduced bill to provide uni
form national currency to retire notes of national
banks prohibit their incorporation and their issue
of notes. to utilize silver and silver coin and provide
for the reissue of coin and bullion certificates to
provide for the redemption and payment of bonds Of
the United States and the issue of bonds bearing
lower rate Of INTEREST," and to provide for the expan
sion and contraction Of paper currency to meet the
business interests and wants CT the country. Tabled
Senators Conklng and Herman presented the pre-
amble and resolution of the New York Legislature
opposing the passage of the bill to reorganize the
army, or at least that portion of the bill relating to
the ordnance department of the United States arse.
nails and ordnance stores. Laid on the table.
Mr.. Morgan submitted series of lengthy resolu
lions substitute for those recently submitted by
Mr.. EdmuDds. (Tbis is the substitute agreed ON in
the Democratic caucus)
Mr.. Bruce of Mississippi, from the committee ON
pensions, reported bill granting DR.. Mary Il, Wal,
ker an increase of pension to $40 per month Calen
dared.
The Vice President submitted a communication
from the Secretary of War; enclosing letters Of Gems
Sherman, Sheridan and Terry, recommending An
appropriation of $25 900 for the erection of military
headquarters at Fort Smelling MINI. The Secretary
concurs in the Recommendation. Referred to the
military committee.
Mr.. Withers, from the committee on pensions re-
ported favoraby on the House bill granting pen
sion to the widow of Gen, Robert Anderson. Placed
on the calendar.
Senate resumed the consideration of unfinished
business being the bill to amend the pension laws,
the pending question being the amendment OF MIR.
Davis of Illinois, "That it would not be lawful to
grant any patent for any invention except the In
vention which embraced in the original patent,
After briet discussion it was agreed to.
Bill having been considered in the committee of
the whole was reported to the Senate the question
being concurring in the amendments made in the
committee.
Mr.. Window moved to lay aside the bill temporarily
and take up the naval appropriation BILL In expIa-
nation of the motion Mr. Window said his object
| was to procure time to prepare an amendment
| which would make the bill more acceptable to his
constituents.
Pending discussion the Senate went into executive
| session. When the doors reopened the Vice Presi-
| dent submitted communication from the Attorney
General In answer to the Senate resolution Of March
49, 1878, to whether certain lands granted to the
state of Indiana by Congress to authorize that state
to open canal through the public lands to connect
the navigation Of the Wabash and Miami rivers and
Lake Erie have reverted to United States and if So
what action is necessary to enable the government to
obtain possession thereof. The Attorney General
suggests the appointment of commissioner to ex-
| anime said canal and report whether it has been
| abandoned and no longer used as public high way
Should he report in the affirmative Congress NAV de-
clare for eiture and authorize an attorney to in
sttute legal proceedings. Referred to the judiciary
committee.
| Mr.. Edmunds of VT, from the judiciary commit
Il faor rtaJf ,rN Mr. hr;cts, Q
detained at home by sickness, with an amendment
the Senate bull to provide for charges to Jurors in
trials for bigamy and polygany in Utah, and to
amend section of the act of June a. 1874 in rea.
ton to courts and judicial officers in Utah. Placed
on the caleddar. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Potter Committee Ask Leave to Investi.
gate the Cipher Dispatches ID istrict of
COlumoaa Affairs.
Mr. Potter asked leave to offer resolution
authorizing the investigation of the cipher dispatches
and to have it adopted under suspension of rules.
Mr.. Butler objected on the ground that he wished
to debate the resolution, AMI it was agreed th at
Potter should reportit tomorrow after the reading
| of the journal
Among large number OF bills introduced and
referred was one by Mr.. Money of Mississippi to
pay certain mail contractors of Southern states for
| carrying mails prior to the war.
Among others were the following:
By MIR. Durham to repeal all laws in regard to the
appointment and pay of supervisors Of elections and
| aids
By MIR. Blight, making trade and Mexican doll ars
legal tender.
By Mr. Cobb to reimburse the several states for in
terest paid on war claims.
By Mr.. Burchard. to authorize the issue Of coin
certificates in lieu of gold and silver.
MIR. Knott, chairman Of the Judiciary committee.
reported a resolution to defray the expenses of the
Davenport and Blodgett Investigations, ordered to
be made by that committee. Adopted.
The House at Q so went into committee of the
whole the bill to provide for the settlement of all
outstanding claims against the District of Columbia
in the court of claims and comforting the jurisdiction
| thereof.
Mr.. Eden offered an amendment limiting jurisdic-
ton to cases of contracts arising since 1871. The
amendment with slight notifications agreed to.
| The committee rose and the bill was reported to
| House and passed.
Thursday, Jan. 31th was set aside for the con-
sideration of bhs reported from the District COM
| mittee.
Mr.. Springer introduced bill to secure to the
people of every state equal and just representation
| Referred.
i
Of each state shall apportion the state under the
census Of $780, to provide that when more than
two members are elected in ate, the state shall
be divided into districts Of three members each as
far as possible, and when there are two odd repre-
sentatives, that is three, six nine etc. there
shall be one district consisting of five members In
districts consisting of three members every eector
shall vote for only two members of Congress, and in
districts entitled to five members every elector shall
vote for these members. He presented in connection
with his bill statement showing that under it there
would have been elected at the last November
election "a Republicans instead of 6, or Republican
gain of %. while Democrats would realize like gain
| in the North: that the general result would have
been the same, but the Republican mnorties at the
| South ant the Democratic minoriies at the North
would have been equally represented in Congress-
and that the 100000 colored population could not
control the election OF % members in the following
states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, louisiana,
Mississippi North Carolina Soutb Carolina,