Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-15
FORTY.SIITH CONGRRSS.
WEDNESDAY, December Is.

WEDNESDAY, DpCSmpS1
SENATE--Only ten Senators were present
when prayer was offered to-day. The Vice
President said he would await the appearance
or quorum before causing the journal to be
read. Senators came In one by one until after
sever. minutes the room had somewhat less
empty look, and the journal was ordered to be
read. The Nice-PreSident then submitted q
recommendation from the Department or State
for an appropriation OF about $4,000, as the
quota OF the United States towards the main
tafnance OF the Internal Revenue Bureau or
weights and measures under the Paris conven-
ti0n Of 1873.
Mr.. Ingalls,. from the committee on Indian
analrs, reported with amendments, House bill
Ior The relief OF settlers upon the absentee
Shawnee land In Kansas, and for other pur-
poses. Placed on the calendar.
Bills were introduced and referred as folio VS.:
BY Mr. Hin tColorado)-For the retirement or
regulate the civil service OF the United States.
and TO promote the efficiency thereof. THE
Dill provides for competitive examinations for
appointments except OF the highest and lowest
employees, and for position on Grounds OF merit
and seniority In Service.l Also bill to prohibit
federal officers, claimants. and contractors
from making or receiving assessments or con
tribu1ons for political purposes. THE bill pro
vides as penalties for its violation dismissal
from office or annulment Of contracts with con-
tractors assessed or contrfbuung.[ BY Mr.
Johnston-To provide for the judicial ascertain
ment On claims against the United States. BY
Mr. Teller by requeSt)-Amending section 1924
IL. >. relatlDg 10 mining.
MIR. Call offered q resolution instructinp the
judiciary committee to inquire into and report
upon the alleged abuse or power by l. s. courts
Laid on the table TO be called up by Mr.. Cali
hereafter.
Mr.. Coke announced that on Tuesday next he
Will ask consideration OF Senate bill providing
for allotment OF lands in severalty to Indians
and extending the laws OF the states and terri
tories over the Indians The bill Is thought
important 10y the Interior department
The Senate resumed consideration OF the bill
deyotiDg part OF the proceeds OF the sales OF
puonc lands to public education, and Mr.. Burn
side. It's introducer, advocated it. He was fol
lowed by Mr.. Morrill, In support of the bill. He
referred to the success OF the land grant college
established under the act OF 1862, and favored
the extension of that system, believing that
the spread OF education was a chief factor In
material progress and happiness.
Senator Brown then delivered a speech ia
support OF the bill. Mr.. Brown followed Mr..
Morrill, in support OF the bill.
HOUSE.-Mr. Beale introduced bill declaring
roads between all life saving stations post roads
Referred.
Mr.. Belford introduced bill for the retirement
OF small legal tender notes. Referred. lit pro-
NideS that, In place OF the legal tender notes or
the denomination OF less than s. which may be
he'd In the Treasury or be hereafter presented
for redemption, the Secretary OF the Treasury
shall each month substitute notes Of the same
character but higher denominations In the
amount, as nearly as practicable OF the stand
ard dollars coined during that month; and no
more legal tender notes or less denomination
than s. shall hereafter be printed
MT. Robinson, from committee on judiciary,
reported back bill approving an agreement en-
tered into between the states OF New York and
Connecticut concerning the boundary line be-
tween those states. Passed.
On motion Of Mr.. GoOde, Senate bill granting
pension OF 500 month to Mr5. Julia g. Tyler
widow OF the late President Tyler, was taken
from the Speakers table and passed.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with, Mr.. +. Wood moved that the House go
into committee on the funding bill, pending
WHEN MI. Baker; from committee on appropri-
antagontzed Mr.. F. Woods motion with mo
ton to go into committee on that bill. Mr. +.
Wood making no objection, Mr. Bakers motion
was was agreed to, and accordingly the House at
l2:40 went into committee or the whole mr.
bill.
MI. Baker proceeded to explain the provisions
or the bill. stating that with single exception
the bill was Identical with that OF last year
The question whether or not iJ was wise at this
time TO appropriate large sums for the prosecu-
tloD or the Work OF foItffyfng the SeacoaSt was
one that deserved the careful consideration OF
Congress. The condition OF The seacoast forti-
ncauons OF the country was in deplorable
state. They were not adequate to meet the
emergency of foreign war. This condition OF
things was not creditable to the legislators OF
the country. IC might be asked why the com.
mlttee on appropriations had not reported a
larger sum for forJfylDg the seacoast. He be-
nevtd IL to be entirely unwfse for the govern
ment to undertake such great work spasrnodi-
cally and without any consideration of settled
plan. He believed that. and the next Congress
would, II wise, determine upon some settled
policy on the subject The bill provided for the
manufacture OF four improved breach loading
12-tnch ritled guns, which would cost s.6 900
each-as much as would be paid for the steel
krupp gun. The committee on appropriations
had not recommended the manufacture or more
than four large guns.
After quite an interesting general debate the
fortificatiOn appropriation bill was read for
amendment.
Mr. Johnston under direction of the military.
committee, offered amendment increasing from
100000 to $500.000 the appropriation for the
protection, preservation and repair OF fortifi-
cations,