Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-17
FORTY.SIITH CONGRESS-.
WEDNESDAY,, March II.

y,
the Gettysburg battle field, and provide for the
compilation and preservation Of data showing
the various positions and movements Of troops
at that battle, illustrated by diagrams Placed
on the calendar.
Mr. Cameron (Pa.), from the committee on
naval affairs, reported favorably the bill rela-
tive to the appointment of assistant naval con-
structors; also favorably the bill for relief Of
certain naval officers. Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Jones Fla-), from the committee on pub
nc lands, reported substitute for the Senate
bill relating to public lands of the United States.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Plumb from the committee on military
affairs reported substitute for Senate joint
resolution directing the Secretary of Treasury
to adjust and settle the account between the
Us and the state Of Florida Placed on the
calendar.
Mr. Rollins introduced a bill to regulate the
use and prevent waste of Potomac water in the
District of Columbia. Referred.
Mr.. Burnside introduced bill to provide a
permanent construction fund for the navy and
for other purposes. Referred.
The Senate proceeded to consider the calendar.
The bill to provide for erection Of an elevator
apolis was passed.
Mr.. Edmuds took this occasion to call the at
tention Of the committee on public buildings
and grounds to the necessity for an elevator on
the eastIside of the Senate wing OF the Capitol.
The next bill was TO pay Samuel j. Gustin
$1,000 for supplies taken by United States troops
in Georgia during the war, after the general in
command had issued orders stopping foraging
and requiring all supplies to be contracted for.
Mr.. Edmunds said that as the committee had
not reported that Gustin was loyal to the gov
eminent, his case could not have been favora-
bly, acted on by Southern Claims Commission.
To allow his claim now would be to open the
door to vast number OF similar claims. The
Supreme Court had decided that all citizens Of
the states in rebellion were supposed to be dis
loyal unless the contrary were shown. Con-
gresS had frequently held that even claimants
in loyal states had no right to compensation for
such losses unless Congress chose to give it. If
we were to pay without question all claims for
losses sustained by those in disloyal states we
might as well begin to issue more bonds at
once. In spite OF the order stopping pillage this
mans property was pilaged, and the action did
not materially differ from other cases of spolia-
tion inSeparable with war.
Mr.. Hoar thought that as the property was
taken after the submission of the enemy, or
during an armistice, it was removed from the
ordinary class of war losses. He favored the
bill.
Mr.. Edwards did not agree in this view. He
objected to the further consideration or the bill
in the morning hour, saying he wished Senators,
question. The bill was therefore laid aside.
The next was the bill authorizing and direct
ing the Secretary of the Navy to introduce into
the naval service rope and cordage manufac-
tured Of cotton according to the process Of
Thomas W. Dunham, of Boston, to such an
extent as will furnish fair test Of the value
and efficiency thereof as compared with the
kinds now in use.
Mr. Conkling asked what necessity there
could be for law authorizing the Secretary OF
Could he not test it without law on the SUBJ
ject?
MIR. Vance (who reported the bill from the
not only authorized, but directed the test. Mr..
Dunham claims to make cotton rope not sub
lect to the objections heretofore urged against
product OF the country, the committee thought
1t wise to encourage its consumption in this
form if found practicable. The Secretary had
declined to test it heretofore. hence the word
directing"
Mr.. Cockrell moved to strike out the word
directing"
Mr. Conkling favored the motion.
Pending debale the morning hour expired, and
the Senate resumed consideration Of the star
route deficiency bill, the pending question being
on the committee amendment prohibiting in.
crease of trips on star routes during the remain
der of the fiscal year.
HOUSE.-Mr. Manning asked leave to offer
resolution directing the committee on Pacific
railroad to inquire as to the alleged contract be-
tween the Central Pacific and Union Pacific
Railroad companies and the Pacific Mail Steam
ship companies. and report what legislation is
necessary to protect public interests in the
premises.
Mr Brewerobjected
MI. Taylor offered resolution for the ap-
polntment OF special committee to tnvegsti-
gate the present method of settling claims
against the United States.
Mr.. Reagan, chairman of the committee on
commerce, reported resolution calling on the
Secretary of War for information in his depart
ment in regard to the bridge now being erected
over the East river at New York, and his opin-
ion as to whether said bridge is not an obstruc-
tion to commerce. Adopted.
the Speakers table, for present consideration,
Senate bill amending the laws relative to the
seizure and forfeiture Of vessels for breach of
the revenue laws.
Objection being made the bill was referred to
the committee Of ways and means.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, the House at 1890 went into committee of
the whole (Mr. Carlisle in the chaiD on the de-
hciency appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hayes, a member OF the committee on
attacks made upon him. The cry Of misman-
agement and fraud was raised for the purpose
Of enabling the democrats to get possession OF
the printing office.
Mr. Garfield defended the present system of
public printing. One of the saddest experiences
In the history of the American people had been
the old contract system, In which 1t had been
developed, without controversy, that in four
years preceding Abraham L1ncoln's administra-
tion, out Of the profits OF the public printing
100000 had been contributed for political pur-
poses. But he wished to speak of a more
important matter than the public printing.
He then criticised severely the purpose Of the
democratic party to refuse to appropriate for
special deputy nlarshals, but appealed, in con-
clusion, to democrats to prevent the disasters
which their party leaders were bringing upon
the country. and expressed his belief that such
vote would be had on this bill as would set at
rest the poor dregs of the extra session.
The discussion was continued by Mr.. Bur-
rows who declared his conviction that the pur-
pose of the democratic party was to steal the
next presidency, to which Mr.. Springer retorted
by charging the republican party with stealing
two or three states in the last presidential cleo
tion.
MI. Mcmahon replied to Messrs. Garfield and
Burrows and then Mr.. Warner took the floor
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Warmers speech
general debate was closed, and the bill was read
by sections.
Political Notes.
Some OF the newspapers are discussing the