National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-21
NEN.ITE.

MI HAMLtN from the Committee on Foreign re
lntlons, reported amendments to the sundry civil
bill appropriatng $1,000 for the widow of the late
Justin Il. Colburn, Consul.Goneral at New Mexico,
and $1,000 for the widow Of Boyord Taylor, late
Minister TO Germany. Referred
He also reported back, from the same committee,
resolutions of the California constitutional conven-
Sn Sg ibe n eG SSd hS b Gy ne
duties OH imported wines will be reduced, and
asked that the committee be discharged from its
further consideration. SO ordered.
Mr.. BLAINE from the Committee on Appropria-
uons. reported back the army appropriation bill
With amendments Placed on the calendar, and
Mr.. Blaine gave notice that he would call II MP for
consideration at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. COKE submitted a resolution requesting the
President to communicate to the Senate copies of
any dispatches recently received from our Minister
to Mexico relating to concessions by the Mexican
government for railroads in that country. Agreed
Mr. TELLER submitted joint resolution, direct
Ing the President TO approve and sanction the Ge-
neva convention for the mitigation of the suffer
lngs of war and other public calamitics. Referred.
Mr.. HOWE from tho Committee on the Library,
reported, with an amendment the Senate bill to
authorize the National Academy of Sciences to re.
eeive and hold trust funds for the promotion Of
science ana for other purposes. Placed on the cal
endar
Mr.. MCDONALD called up the Senate bill to mp.
point spruillc Bradc an ensign in the United
States navy. Passed
tBraden took the highest prize for excellence in
seamanshp In the British Nautical school. but re-
fused an appointment as ensign in the British navy,
American citizenship
On motion of Mr. SAUNDERS, the bill recently
submitted by him from the joint committee To con-
slder the eNpediency Of transferring the Indian
Bureau and TO authorize the President temporarily
TO transfer the custody control. aud management
Of certain Indian tribes from the Interior to the
war department, was referred to the Committee ON
Indian Ailhrs.
Mr.. DAVIS qll) called mp IIoure bill to give circuit
courts supervisory Jurisdiction in certain criminal
cases Passed.
Bills on the calendar were. passed as follows;
House bill to amend section $50 Of the Revised
STATUTES relative to fees of district attorneys.
House bill TO compensate NJ. q. Hannah, of Vir
glnia for certain property of his used by the Gov
crnmont.
Mr.. MITCHELL, from the Committee OIL Railroads
reported with amendments Senate bill granting
the right of way through the public lands to The
Cheyenne, Black Hills and Montana Railroad and
Telegraph Company Placed on the calendar.
Hr. VooRliEEs IN accordance with previous
notlce, called up the resolution submitted by him
on The 10th April last instructing the Committee
on Tensions to report q bill making provision for
Shields might address the Senate on that subject.
Mr. SHIELDS said he thanked the Senate for Civ
ing nm an opportunity 20 speak few words for
his old comrades the Mexican war. He hoped
congress would pass the proposed bill aud do gen.
erous Justice to the Mexican veterans. The soldiers
oil the last war had been treated uSt and with very
commendable lbeplity. The reason why the bill
granting pensions to Mexican soldiers had not
Pension Bureau.
That bureau had reported to Congress larger
army OF Mexcatl veterans alive to-day than ever
NOod on Mexican soil Mt one time with arms in
their hands The wonder was that any intelligent
Congress could place confidence in such report.
Throughout the whole Union to day there were not
over 1000 Mexican veterans alive. Scott Taylor
Pillow. and Gushing were all gone-all dcad-and
he Mr. Shieds). the humbleSt of them all, left TO
MAKE thls appeal 10 Congress 10 do something and
do II speedily. faction should be deferred a few
more sessions II would be TOO late to pass the bill.
There was one regiment from South Carolina
which reached Mexico with 100 men. At The
close of the war 1t numbered go men, and there
were but eight members OF that regiment living to.
day. He referred TO the victories Of our army in
Mexico and said II had been said they had nothing
but MeNicons to, fight. That was true but there
were plenty of them. Ask the soldiers of France,
as brave men ever lived and they would tell You
That no men were less afraid Of death than these
MeXicans. II this Government should ever under
take 10 walk over Mexico again with the same eX.
pectotions of the same results before IL would be
disappointed. He argued that Mexican property
and Mexican honor were as well projected during
the occupation of Mexico by the American army as
they ever had been before or since. He spoke OF
the bravery OF the American army in Mexico and
gave personal "reminiscences of that war lie did
not believe single soldier who served in the Mex.
lean army could be found in the penitentlary. He
spoke of The value of the territory acquired by the
Mexican war, the rich gold and silver mines found
therein, and, III conclusion appealed to Congress
TO give the Mexican survivors the ptance they
asked for TO help them on the down hill of life.
Give them the pittance to help them on that last
march TO that field from which 10 warrior ever re.
turned. Applause,
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
unfinished business, being the Post.Onice appro-
pration bill. the pending question being OH the
amendment Of Mr. Bailey to limit the contract for
Brazilian mail service to five years instead of ten
us reported by the committee
After some. discussion the amendment of Mr.
Bailey was reJccteu-ye0s, %; nays, 81.
Mr. EATON moved TO amend SO us to strike ont
,he words requiring that the vessels be american
butt and owned and insert in lieu thereof Il
clause requiring that they be owned commanded
and manned by citizens Of the United States"
The amendment OF Mr. Eaton was rejected-yeas
10 nays, 81
Mr. EusTls submitted an amendment providing
That neither contract should be considered in force
continued
:. The amendment was agreed to-yeas, 3d. nays
Mr. KERNAS submitted an amendment TO insert
the word nautical so that it should read. 'sucl
mail carriage 70 be paid for ut not exceeding $50
per nautical mlle,' &e. Agreed to without diyi
siOn
Mr. BAYARD submitted an amendment providing
that the annual compensation for said postal ser
wee slall not exceed the sum Of $4,000 for cRC
OF sad lines. Agreed to without division.
Mr. MOhRlLL submitted an amendment to pay
fV per ie instead OF s3o per mile for the service
Mr. WnlrE said the Senate, having adopted
amendments providing for two lines of Steamships
ana Indicated us purpose to pay out of the Treas
ury Of the United States large Sums of money Il
open up our commerce he desired to call attention
TO the fact that the great trade of Brazil heretofore
had been carried ON between three ports of tho
United states and liri2l Last year New York i'm.
ported nom Brzh liO(lOO0 bagS of coffee liOll
more $4,000 bags, and New Orleans 213O0j bags
The Constitution of the United States declared thai
no preference should be given 10 ono port over an
other; but the Senate proposed 10 give New York
and New Orleans advantages over Baltimore. Tho
people of Baltimore, without any subsidy without
any help from theGOyeurmont had built up trade
with Rio and now, in behalf of the people of Balti
more, he would submit an amendment to have the
New YORK line run alternately between New York
ana Baltimore and Rio, though lie was opposed &c
The bill on principle and would vote against IL even
II the amendment should be adopted He wa,
glad TO see the North and South shaking hand,
over the bloody chasm and giving the kiss o
peace but he did hope that his poor city NIGH
not be ground between the upper and neither mill
stone of this reconciliation.
lie then submitted the amendment of which he
gave notice, providing that the New York lin,
shall run alternately from New York 10 Baltimore
inc amendment was rcjected-Yoos, 10, nays, %
IehunB nrther discussion,
Mr.. MllclEllq from the Committee ON Railroads
reported back the senate resolution directing IN,
committee 10 inquire into the eXpediency OF allow
ing inc use OF railroad telegraph lines for CONNER
cle purposes together with written report ON III,
subject una an amendment 10 the sundfy civil bill
providing Tor commission, 10 sit during the re
res, 70 INVESTIGATES the relations between the West
eln Union ana other tclegr4 phi companies also IN
relations between the Western Union COmpau,
and the New York Associated Press. Ordered tha
the report be printed, and the amendment was no
ierfed TO the Committee on Appropriations
In submitting the report, Mr.. MITCHELL said
was signed by every member Of the Committee ak
ceDt one and that member was not able 10 atten,
come of the meetings.
The senate then proceeded with the Post. Onic