Daily globe., 1880-02-10
FORTY-SINVH CONGRESS.
Second Session I
The Senate

me SS}tuIe
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9-The resolutions of the
Louisiana legislature, declaring Kellogg was
no. legally elected senator, and that Spofford
was and should have the seat was ordered
p.inted and referred.
Senator Logan from the committee on mill
iary affairs, presented minority report on the
bill for the relief Of Fitz John Porter. Laid
on the table.
Senator Wallace introduced n bill to prohibit
the arrest of election officers on election day
Referred.
Senator CJokrell presented a memorial OF
5 coo citizens of Missouri asking an amend
ment of the patent laws, so as to protect inno-
cent infringing of patents.
Senator Pendleton presented petition of
citizens for improvement of the Sault, ST.
Marie and st. Mary rivers.
Senator Cameron, Wis, fom the committee
ou claims, reported without amendment bill
for the relief of Benjamin Holiday. Placed
on the calendar.
dietary reported adversely the bill to provide for
an additional circuit Judge for the Ell shth udici-
Il district of Iowa. Indefinitely postponed. Al
So from the same cammittee adversely, joint
resolution authorizing the President to veto
parts OF appropriation bills. Placed On calen-
dar.
Senator Edmunds announced he didn't agree
TO the report, and thought some provision of
tho kind s!lculd be made.
ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The b!ll 10 revive and continue the court of
commissioners of Alabama claims was taken
up, and Senator Davis, of Illinois, made a
speech He said -, 553, 500 of tie sl5, $50 800
awarded by the Geneva tribunal remains in
the Unitoa States treasury He argued that
bT the principles of marine insurance law. un-
dcrrriteTs who have indemnitied oaners of
vessels for loss become entitled to all the pro-
ceeds afterwards recovered, whether from the
sea, from capture or from the Justice from for
cign states, or from property on which lDsur-
ance was psid. He Supported the bill on this
ground, making elaborate legal argument.
Senator Edmunds wished TO express his ad-
III ration for the very exhaustive and ingenious
argument of the Senator from Illinois, Davis,
In favor of the insurance companies, but he
hoped that every Senator would examine the
subject on all its sides before reversing the
former action of Congress excluding insurance
claims except the total war losses exceeded the
war profits which action vas taken after a full
and careful consideration of the subject.
Seuator Blaine desired to protest. in the
name of his constituents and in the name of
justice, on the very threshhold of the decision
on this aubject against the passa C of this bill.
He saw no legal basis of justice which it
rested. The who had gorsed themselves
on profits from the misfortunes of thoir coun-
trymen were nos to be authorized to thrust
their hands into the treasury in order that
their gains, already exorbitant, may be made
cxtr2vagant, and frightfully 50, out of money
that can be paid them only by repeal OF stat
utes enacted after the most elaborate discus.
sion and mature consideration.
Senator Garland supported the bill.
Senator Thurman asked why the principle now
applied to underwriters could not with equal
justice be applied to vessel owners who in
sured themselves. The phrase is If mer-
chant vessel made nine successful trips and
was lost on the tenth, why not bring his claim
for damages on the ground that he made
more by the nine trips than he lost on the
tenth. Nobody pretended that he was obliged
to present balance sheet showing net profit
on all his war business. He hoped the Senate
wouldn't refuse justice to insurance compa-
MES simply because they were rich corporations.
rhe Senators oaths required them to do JUS
Ii ;e to rich and poor alike.
.zTne bill was then laid aside and the 81 ecial
order, being the bill to authorize the secretary
of the interior to ascertain and certify the
amount of land located with military warrants
was taken up in order to have it before the
Senate tomorrow. After an executive session
ad diuurned.