Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-18

Senate.
WASHINGTON, February 18th. - Many petitions
were presented from railroad companies against the
reduction Of the duty on steel rails
A bill providing for celebrating the hundredth
anniversary of the recognition of American indie
peRdence by general celebration at New York in
1888 was placed on the calendar.
Salisbury presented majority report OF the
Committee on Elections in the ingalls, case. Ihe
report finds that bribery and corruption were en-
ployed to secure ingalls, election but there was no
evidence that Ingalls, authorized such improper acts
or that they in fact secured his election.
Cameron (Wisccnsin) presented minority re rort
signed by HoaI, Logan and himself, concurrlng In
that part of the majority report which exonerates
ingalls, but expressing the opinion that when the
report states that corruption was employed it
should in justice state what was proved, that such
means employed IN opposition to his election
The reports ordered printed.
Randolph introduced the following amendment to
the bill for the relief of FitZ John Porter:
That the President is hereby authorized to NOM
mate and by and with the advice Of the Senate to
appont Fitz John Porter Colonel of infantry of the
Army of the United States, bis commission to bear
date January It, 1858, with the pay and emoluments
Of that rank from that date until he shall be relieved
according to law, as hereafter provided for.
Section 2. That at any time after granting such
commission it shall be lawful for the President to
place said Porter on the retired list of the army
the pay Of retired COlolel OF infantry.
Ordered printed and tabled subject to Randolphs
call.
salisbury stated that during the recent investiga
tons caused before the Committee Privileges and
Elections, question arose TO what extent tele-
grams could properly be used in evidence, and the
committee had nstruc ed him to report the follow
ing:
Resolred, That Geographic messages and copies Of
records OF the saLe in possession OF telegraph CON-
panies their officers or servants, are not privileged
by law from production and examination on proper
process before committee authorized to send for
persons and papers.
Resolped, That the order for the production of
discretion as to protect the privacy Of communca-
tons not related to the ilatter under investigation
and especially that the authority making such order
ought first to be satisfied tina. the message sought
is If obtained likely TO be material TO the pending
investigation and the order ought far practical
BILE, to describe with reasonable certainty the par
ticuar message or messages required.
Ordered printed and laid on the table,
Hoar Of Massachusetts, understand that these
are reported as resolutions which have governed
the action of the committee for thc information of
the Senate and the public, and not for adoption by
the Senate.
Logan submitted the following. which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary OF the Navy be au
thorized to equip and furnish vessel for the pur
pose OF conveying to Ireland such contributions OF
fered, and other supplies as are furnished in the
United States for the relief of the suffering in Ire
land.
Gordon gave notice that tomorrow he woult
that the doors be closed, and that the Senate
proceed to consider the motion of Davis to recon
slider the vote appointing special committee OF
the Interoceanic Canal.
The bill authorizing the Secretary of the interior
and the Secretary of the Treasury to employ addi
tional clerks to facilitate the transaction OF pensions
and other business was taken up.
Beck said the Commissioner Of Pensions had nj
right to anticipate the action of Congress- as he haC
In employing extra clerks
Wallace stated that the appropriations had no
yet been exceeded, and the law was not violated.
Kirkwood asserted that 100000 in claims are
pending, and every member of Congress is over
whelmed with protests from his constituents agalns
unreasonable delay.
Salisbury pleaded economy, and VOORHEES,
thought it misapplied economy where hundreds o.
people to whom pensions justly due waiting
and dying without settlement, because Congress
was stingy. The Land Office was in the same con.
dition
Others spoke in the same vein, and Wallace
hoped this bill, which did what the Commissioners
asks, would pass.
Beck paid a compliment to Secretary Thompson
who he said the only executive officer who die
not violate the law.
The bill finally passed, and after executive SEES
sion the Senate adjourned