The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-02-04
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, February 8.
SENATE.

Mr.. kirkwood presented petition iror
the Superintendent Of the Burlington
Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, this
the duty OF steel rails be specific and no
to exceed ten dollars per ton. A simila
petition was presented from the Europeal
and North American Railroad Company
Mr.. Bayard presented memorial from
Harlem, Hollingsworth & Co., stating tina
they have in their ship-yard in a partl,
finished condition the hull OF the double
urretmonitor Amphitrion, on which worl
has been suspended, and ask an appropri
alton to enable the Secretary OF the Nav!
TO complete the vessel.
Mr.. Bayard stated that he believed
three other such yessels were in a simila
condition. Three million dollars woult
put them in good condition. II they wert
10 be finished it should be done at once
II not 1t would be better to sell the hull
as scrap iron. Many single vessels OF for
eign navies cost more that the completion
OF these four vessels would.
The petition was referred.
Mr.. Cockrell, from the Committee or
Military Affairs, reported with amend
ment, House bill TO restore to the public
domain part OF Fort Ripley reservation
Minnesota. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Cockrell, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported adversely on
the bill to remove the charge OF desertiou
from the military record. The committee's
report expresses the conviction that such
special legislation is neither proper mol
wise, and as general rule the War De
partment has ample power to do equal
justice to all applicants for relief. Disa'
bilities attending the charge OF desertion
are not 80 onerous as is generally sup.
posed. The Pension Bureau pays very
little attention to the charge OF desertion.
Soldiers dishonorably discharged are pen.
stoned the same as those honorably dis.
charged, the only effect being as to the
date OF the pension. Desertion does not
even deprive them OF back pay. 1t does
deprive them Of bounty pay. In large
number OF cases deserters have been re-
lieved Of forfeiture Of citizenship.
Mr.. Kirkwood said the Senator from
Missouri (CockrelD seems to consider the
worst consequences Of record OF deser-
ton loss OF back pay or bounty. That Is
not considered so in Iowa. Soldiers there
consider the disgrace attached to such q
record as more serious matter than loss oil
back pay or bounty. There are some who
think themselves entitled to removal oil
such record, and yet they are not within
the rule governing the Department. !
would like TO have the bill placed on the
calendar so can examine its effect.
The bill was accordingly placed on the
calendar.
Eulogies were delivered in memory oil
Congressman Clark, OF Iowa, after which
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Cox introduced bill declaring
the forfeiture Of certain lands granted con.
ditionally to aid in the construction OF
railroads and telegraph lines. Referred.
A bill reported from the Judiciary Com.
mittee, providing that no person shall
serve as petit juror in any United States
court more than three weeks during any
one year, was passed.
The morning hour having expired, Mr..
Culbertson's bill TO determine the jurisdic-
ton Of the United States Circuit Courts
and regular removal OF causes from the
State to the federal courts, went over
without action. The House then went
into the Committee OF the Whole on the
revision Of rules, with Mr.. Carlisle In the
chair.
The pending clause OF rule eleven was
that which was 80 amended yesterday as
to give the Committee on Commerce the
same jurisdiction and privileges on the
river and harbor bill as the Committee on
Appropriations enjoyed as to the general
appropriation bills.
A number OF amendments that no river
and harbor bill should be passed under the
suspension OF the rules were offered, but
voted down; the vote was nearly two to
one.
Mr.. Dunnell submitted an amendment
TO clause eight oi the rule which relates TO
the Committee on Agriculture, providing
that the committee shall have jurisdiction
over the subject Of forestry. Adopted.
Mr.. Aiken, chairman OF the Committee
on Agriculture, submitted an amendment
providing that that committee shall re-
ceive estimates and report appropriations
for the agricultural department.
Mr.. Randall stated that there was moi
much discretion required in appropriating
for the Agricultural Bureau. The salaries
were fixed by law and the appropriations
for seed were made in the sundry civil bill
Mr.. Aikens' amendment was then adopt
ed-yeas 93, nays o., the result OF which
ELECTED applause from members. on both
sides Of the House. .
Mr.. Browne, OF the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, moved to amend clause nine
Of the rule, 50 as to provide that the com
mittee shall have power to bring in appro
priations fer the support Of the army.
After an extended debate the amend
ment offered BY Mr.. Browne was rejected
9S to 107.
The committee then rose and the House
adjourned.