Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-03-12
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY,
Senate.

A petition has been presented in the Senate
from owners of steamboats, plying on the Mis-
sissippi river, reciting that they suffer great
inconvenience and pecuniary loss by thede-
sertion OF crews or parts OF crews. Passen-
gers, mails and cotton shipments are thus dis
astrously delayed The prosperity OF a large
part OF the Southwestern people depends on
the regularity OF this commerce. The only
penalty new laid on such desertion is tor
ieiture OF wages, and even this cannot always
be enforced. Legislation to remedy this evil,
compelling men to abide by their contracts, is
prayed Tor.
A message from the President was received
inviting the attention of Congress to the sub
ject of the unsettled claims OF Spanish inhab-
itants OF East Florida The settlement OF which
was provided for by the treaty OF 1871 between
the United States and Spain. The tribunal es-
tablished under this treaty by act OF Congress
in 1888 allowed five per cent. interest on such
claims as they acted iavorably on, bat tho then
secretary OF the treasury declined to pay this
part OF the awards made. Claims for such in-
terest have often been made since, but the
secretaries of the treasury have not overruled
the decision of their predecessor.
Mr.. Randolph spoke in support OF his pro-
posed substitute for the committee bill for the
relief OF Fitz John Porter. The substitute
authorizes the President to nominate Mr..
Porter as a colonel OF infantry, his commission
to date from January, 1868, and to retire him
according to law.
Mr.. Allison from the committee on appro-
priations, reported favorably the House bill
making appropriation for deficiency for the
support of certain Indian tribes.
Resolutions OF the Legislature of New York
were presented asking appropriations for the
better fertilization OF New York harbor.
The following rpanution auhynittad hxy Mr.
Hoar, was adopted: "Resolped, That the
committee on judiciary be instructed to inquire
and report whether any American citizens
have been arrested or imprisoned for the ex-
ercise oftheir constitutional right to petition
this body concerning matte, of grand public
interest," namely, the title to seat in this body
of q Senator from the State OF which they are
citizens, with power to send for PERSONS ane
papers and administer oaths." This is sup
posed to refer to the action of the Louisiana
legislature in regard to The Kellogg case.
Mr.. Logan spoke against Mr.. Randolphs
amendment to the bill for the relief OF Fitz
John Porter.
The Senate passed the House bill to amend
section 1920 of the revised statutes in re-
lation to allowing drawback IN firearms
scales, balances, shovels, spades axes, hatch
cts, hammers, plows, cultvators, moving
machines, reapers and cans manufactured
partly or material gown in the United States
and exported,
Mr. Jones introduced bill for the relief OF
Mrs. Betty Taylor and Mrs. Knox Wood,
daughter and granddaughter OF Zachary
! Taylor.
| Mr.. Conkling presented a petition OF ship
owners, representing several millions OF dol
lars invested in the shipping interest, remon-
strating against the passage of any bill to in
troduce foreign bought vessels and give them
American registers, deeming such introduce
ton unjust to our own interests Also mo-
mortal of l,l5S leading representatives OF the
foreign commerce OF this country, residing
abroad, asking the amendment OF the statutes
posed on American commerce by the laws re-
curing payment OF three months wages to
seamen discharged abroad.