The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-21
Last Nights Dispatches.
XLvI CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2I-Ths bill Il
authorize the compilation and printing o
the naval history of the war was passed
1t directs the Secretary of the Navy t.
detail an officer to compile for publication
the official records of the late war, both O.
the Union and Confederate navies, in
conjunction with the compilations O
records of both armies now progressing
under the direction of the Secretary of
War, and to employ three clerks.
Mr.. Randolph moved that the bill for
the relief of Fitz John Porter be made the
special order Immediately after the dispo-
sition of the pending bill.
Mr.. Davis, Of Illinois. objected, owing
to the absence of Mr.. Thurman, who has
charge cf the Geneva Award bill, which
has been made the special order fol
Tuesday.
MIR. Morrill, moved that the Senate pass
the House bill admitting free of duty GER
tain contributions from abroad for colored
refugees in Kansas. The bill had been
referred to the finance Committee, and he
had obtained the consen of the members
of that ommittee during the afternoon to
report it favorably and ask its immediate
consideration.
Mr., Peudleton objected on account of the
~
Mr.. Voorhees, also kobiected, intimating
that in view of the need of charity for
English subjects at home there seemed
less charity than policy involved in making
these contributions. though he would not
oppose the bill ON its merits.
Mr.. Conkling said in view of the fact
that Congress had just provided free
transportation for contributions from
American citizens to citizens of
ireland, it could not consistently
refuse to pass a bill admitting what
the charitaby disposed of other
nations had sent to the suffering in Amer
lea. The goods referred to were rolling on
the wharves in New York. The only
question was whether private persons
should be allowed to take and transport
them to their destination at their own
expense.
Mr.. Bruce said he had studiously avoid
ed entering on any discussion touching the
merits of the movements OF colored people
from the south. He had no intention to
enter upon that now, but it seemed to him
that the only question involved W 8 wheth-
er We would allow refugees now in Kansas
who had left their homes tor cause or
without cause, wisely or unwisely, to die
by hundreds rather than permit eontribu-
tions which the English people had sent
here to pass through the custom house
He was GID to see we were aiding the
Irish sufferers. 1t was right and be him
self had contributed what be could. He
hoped Mr.. Voorhees, would not object to
the passage Of bill which simply provid-
ed that goods already at our floors should
be transported free of duty to their destin-
alton. He believed that no senators in
tended to sntagonize the bill simply
because they disapproved of The exodus
movement.
Mr., Kernan hoped that the bill would
pass
Mr.. Edmunds called attention to the
fact that this whole debate was irregular.
Mr., Pendleton attempted to state bis
reasons for objectiDg tosthe bill.
Mr.. Edmunds made the point that
there was no question before the senate.
Mr.. Kernan-Do not let us attempt to
tax charity that comes in to our people
who are alleged to be suffering. 1 move
that all prior orders be suspended and we
proceed TO vote On this bill
After much confusion, adjourned till
Monday.