Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-07
Congressional.
THE CLOSING HOURS OF THE FoRTY-FIFTH
CONGRESS.

THE CLOSING HOURS OF THE FoRTY-FIFTH
CONGRESS.
The Senate took up the Legislative and
Executive Appropriation bill after midnight,
and had finished it about four O'Clock on Sun
day morning. Senator Edmunds was in the
chair during much of this time, and distin-
guished himself by the rapidity with which he
accelerated business. and by the clearness Of
his rulings. The first thing done was the
restoration OF salaries of the officers and
employees of the Senate, which had been
raced BY the House. Other salaries. which
had been cut down were restored; $4,000
were appropriated to pay cattle inspectors
at different shipping ports. and for con-
trolling contagious diseases among cat
tie. The action of the House transferring
the Coast Survey to the Interior Department,
was set aside. The House proyiso repeating the
law authorizing Supervisors Of Federal Elec-
tons, was struck out by a vote Of 81 ayes
against 30 nays, the Democrats being too
weary to debate the political amendments.
The Senate agreed to amendments to the
Sundry Civil bill, appropriating S25O.0OO
for fre-proof building for the national
museum; increasing the amount to pay judg-
ments of the court of claims from 100000
to $l25, 600; $4,000 for change in heat
ing and yentilating the hall of the House
SIS 900 to erect an addition to the Corcoran
art gallery: S64 900 for the Washington
monument
The amendment giving MIR. Corbin of S.
C., $4,000 for the expenses Of contesting
his seat was agreed to, % to %.
At 2o'clock Sunday afternoon, the Senate
commenced on the River and Harbor bill.
There was motion to strike out small ap-
preparation. Mr.. Edmunds at once rose and
said "Mr. President, rise to point of
order. My point is that no motion to strike
out an item appropriatlng money for rivers
and harbors is ever in order. Nothing was
ever stricken out OF any of these bills. The
only thing in order is to increase the ap
preparations as much as possible. A motion
to strike out is contrary to all precedent,
and is clearly out out of order" A shout
of laughter followed. The scramble for ap-
preparations was then commenced, and few
geographers could have located many Of the
rivers for the improvement Of which money
was asked. The New England items of the
bill were all adopted. After the bill had
boav lnoda1 Iorrn tbot
50 600 900, Senator Edmunds moved to
strike out all except few special sections
and appropriate two millions of dollars to be |
expended for the improvement of rivers and
harbors. The amendment was supported by |
Mr.. Conkling and was lost by vote of Is to |
81. Senator Edmunds then renewed it, with |
the gross appropriation raised to five millions,
and this was also lost. A final vote on the |
bill was reached at ll:30. There wa. much |
division of parties and sections, and the bill |
passed by 30 ayes against Is nays.
The Senate remained in session until seven |
Monday morning, when it adjourned to meet |
at one O'Clock. The exciting debate on pen
sioning JEFF Davis was continued for some
hours, and there were several spirited pas
sages. especially one between Messrs Blaine
and Thurman. Mr.. Chandler INDUCED in
some "reminiscences of JEFF Davis, which
were not very acceptable to the Northern
Democrats. The Hosr amendment exclud-
ing Davis was finally adopted. and then the
Senate struck from the House bill the Shields |
as amended by Mr.. Eoar. This
amendment extended the law pensioning the
officers and soldiers of the war of 1872 to all |
the officers and soldiers of the Mexican war,
and il was stricken from the bill by vote of |
% against 20. The bill was then passed by
a vote Of A against 3.
THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
The fortifcation bill, rivers and harbors
bill, sundrY civil bill, postofice bill and de-
fciency bill all passed both Houses.
The rivers and harbOrs bill appro-
PIRATES about $6,500,00O The post
office bill omits the Brazilian subsidy,
but contains important legislation for the
classification of mail matter All periodi-
cas- printed as often as four times year are
to be sent at two cents pound, and sample
copies may be sent at the same rates. Four
Classes Of mail matter are provided for
The registration of mail matter is not formal
y directed, but it is within the power of the
general to introduce it as a
matter of administration. The appropria-
lion for the railway fast mail
service is fixed at $50 900
instead of 100000, as proposed by the
senate. Stringent provisions are made for
The filming Of railroads when there is any
allure to transport the mail and the rail
roads are required 80 provide all the cars
md keep them in repair. A very important
provision gives the postmaster general power
to require the railroads to make returns of
heir business, in order to enable him to
make up an estimate of the cost Of service
Is provided for by the bill. Senators and
members Of Congress are hereafter to
rave the ranking privilege on documents
until the lat Of December following the
nd Of their official terms The Museum
or the Smithsonian Institution and the pay