The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-12-15
xLvIth CONGREss-2d Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Dec. IA.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill to reLew
the Alabama claims commission.
resolution iDquiring into the quantity of
unfrankable matter deposited under frank in
Washington post Office was adopted with an
amendment inquiring into the abuse Of the
Thanking privilege.
A resolution of inquiry as to whether ex-
listing telegraph lines should not be controlled
by the government was adopted.
Mr.. Salisbury announced that he would
Thursday ask that the resolution declaring
Kellogg not entitled to bis seat be taken up.
Mr.. Hoar said the resolution had been made
imperative by the death Of Spoford and dis
cussiop ensued on this point.
Mr.. Hoar asked whether Mr.. Salisbury in
tended to force this important matter on the
Senate Just before the Christmas holidays
when the body WAS thin.
Mr.. Salisbury said perhaps there would be
no vacation.
Mr.. Blaine suggested IL be now decided
whether there should be or not. The matter
was dropped however.
The morning hour having expired. the Sem
ate resumed the bill for the relief of Fitz John
Porter. A substitute for Randolph's substi-
tute was agreed to- authorizing the President
within eighteen months after the passage of
the act in his discretion and by the consent of
the Senate to re-appoint Porter to the army.
The bill was then reported to the Senate, the
and the bill passed by party vote.
Messrs. Hoar, Dawes, Bruce an Pratt (Rep)
did not vote.
The preamble to the Porter bill was then
adopted by party vote.
The bill devoting part of the proceeding of
the sale of public lands to education was taken
up and Mr. Morrill, will speak on 1t tomorrow.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Bill to incorporate the Maritime Canal Com.
pany of Nicaragua was referred to the com.
mittee on commerce. 1t names U. s. Grant
among the incorporators of the company.
bill to encourage American seamen and to
men was referred.
After calling up the electoral count resolu-
ton a roll-call was ordered and al Its con.
clusion Mr.. Bicknell said it was evident his
friends on the other side were no better mind
ed since the debate than before, and under ex-
listing circumstances he would net press any
further consideration of the resolution At this
time. He gave notice he would bring II for
ward in January as soon as he could find 147
members on his side of the House.
A. W. C. Newlain was elected postmaster of
the House and sworn in.
The House then went into committee Of the
whole on Mr.. Woods funding bill.
Mr.. Wood stated that the ways and means
committee had agreed to report an amendment
placing the interest on bonds authorized by
Messrs. Kelly and Buckner offered their
substitutes for the bill in the form of an
amendment providing for the application of
the surplus money in the Treasury to the pay
ment of maturing bonds, and for tax on net
incomes of over $500. Ordered printed, as
was also the amendment to tax bonds issued
under this act.
Mr.. Warner (Dem.) spoke against and Mr..
Chittenden (Rep.) in favor Of the bill, and the
committee then rose.
The consular and diplomatic and military
academy appropriation bills were ordered
printed and recommitted. Adjourned.