The Portland daily press., 1880-03-02
XLvIth CONGREss-Ist Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March l.
recommendation from the Secretary of
War for an appropriation of 800 ,450 to repair
buildings at Fort Monroe was referred.
Petition of railroad officials against reduc-
ton of duty on steel rails was presented
Petitions were presented for admission free
of substances used in making paper.
The Indian deficiency appropriation bill was
placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Morgan, fom the committee on rules
to inquire into the expediency of altering the
Senate rules.
Bills were referred appropriating 5000 900
for improvements on Red River.
Providing for relief of aged and faithful en-
ployes OF the United States; for distribution of
regular editions of public documents author
izing national savings banks.
A resolution asking the Secretary of the
treasury for certain information in regard to
star postal routes was adopted,
Several relief and pension bills passed.
Senate took up the bill for the relief of Fitz
John Porter, but it was Temporarily laid aside
to permit Mr. Hoar to deliver speech on the
bill to revise the court of commissioners of AL
ALBANIA claims.
Mr.. Hoar explained the nature of theGeneya
award ana argued that the award was in the
gross and without conditions as to its distribu-
tion In his opinion losers by marine dangers
occasioned by England's fault stand differently
from other sufferers by the war, because their
rights were purposely left unprotected and un-
redressed for general public benefit, also that
owners OF property should be Unidentified for
war premiums paid for its insurance. They
carried on the business at great disadvantage
in competition with foreigners who ran no risk
OF capture. He did not think the underwriters
who conducted their business at a profit have
any claim to bounty of the government. Let
the remainder of the award be paid not to
them who made vast gains by the circumstan-
ces from which 1t came, but to actual losers
whom the government by design left unpro-
tected, and With whose losses it bought for
itself vast and incalculable advantages alike in
the darkest period of the war and in the re-
hottest future in peace.
MIR. Garland gave notice that he desired to
speak upon the bill when it came up again.
Mr. Randolph spoke in support Of his pro-
posed substitute to the Fitz John Porter relief
bill, which authorizes the President to nominate
Porter as Colonel of Infantry, commission to
date from January, 1868, and to retire him &C
cording to law.
Bills were referred providing that the duties
on carpeting and carpet rugs be limited to so
Abolishing duties on printing type and agri-
cultural Implements
To regulate interstate commerce.
Placing wood and straw pulp and chemicals
nses in manufacture of paper on the free list.
Placing printing type and paper on the free
list.
Calling for information regarding the &C.
counts, ETC., of Geo. F. Seward, while minister
to China.
Bills introduced and referred for the cree
ton in Washington of monument to Custer
and others killed in the battle of Little Big
Horn. Prescribing six years from the time an
action is approved as the time within which
claims in favor of or against, the govern
ment shall be presented; admitting steam
plough machinery free of duty; repeating duty
on grain bags and gunny cloth. For relief Of
Congress from the consideration of private
claims. To return the cotton tax illega lily col
lected under the act of Congress. To repeal
the tax on tobacco in the hands of producers.
Also to reduce the tax IN distilled spirits to 20
cents per gallon. To reorganize the militia of
the United States Placing printing paper on
the free list. Amending the act relative to the
Mexican com mission awards.
At the expiration of the morning hour the
rules were suspended and night sessions or
dered for March and 10 for the consideration
of pension bills.
Bill appropriating S550,OOO for the purchase
of site for the Baltimore post Office was also
passed under suspension of the rules.
A motion to suspend the rules and consider
bill to amend the Pacific Railroad sinking fund
act went over till next Monday and the House
adjourned.