The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-16

wAsmsoros. December Is, 1880.

Forty-sixsh Congress Third Session.
WASHINGTON. December Is, 1880.
SENATE.
| A number Of bills were introduced and
referred, among which were the following :
BY Me-. Hill, Of Colorado: For the retire.
ment OF small Iegaitender notes.
| Bs Mr.. Peudleion: To regullte the evil
service and promote the efficiency thereof !;
also bill TO prohibit Federal officers, ciaim-
ants, and contractors from making or re.
Giving assessments or contributions for
political purposes.
The Senate then resumed the considcra-
tion OF the bill To apply part Of the pro-
ceesis Of the sale Of pubic lands TO public
education ard for The establishment and
support OF educational institutions. Sens
tors Burnside, Morrill,, and Brown spoke,
the last-uamed at considerable length, in
support Of the bill; after which IL was in
formally laid aside, TO be called up to.mor-
row, when it is hoped vote will be reached
upon IT.
On motion OF Mr.. Coekrellibe Senate took
up the bill appropriating s4,750 TO pay
Samuel A. Lowe for services and expenses
as clerk OF The Territorial Legislature Of
Kansas in 1855. After n long debate the
CtHdtt. MuuDut dtliOH OD tue OH, went lDtO
executive session, and when the doors were
Te0pened adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Nv. Beaie, Of Virginia. introduced a bill
declaring the roads between all lIfe-saving
stations post-roads. Referred.
Mr.. Bedford. Of Colorado, introduced a
bill for thereirement OF small legal-tender
notes. Referred.
On motion OF Mr.. Goode, OF Virginia,
Senate bill granting a pension OF 800 a
month to Mrs. Julia G.. Tyler, widow OF
the late President Tyler, was taken from
the Speakers table and passed.
Tie morning hour having been dis.
pen.ed with, DIR. +. Wood moved that the
House go into Committee OF the Whole on
the funding bill, pending which Mr.. Ba-
ker, OF Indiana, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported back the fortitica-
cation bill, and antagonized Mr.. +. Woods
motion with motion to 90 into committee
on that bill.
Mr.. Wood making no objection, Mr.. Ba-
ker's motion was agreed TO, and accord
ngly the House, at 1910. went into Com
miliee Of the Whole Mr.. Converse, OF Ohio,
charman) upon the fortifcation bill.
Mr.. Baker explained tAe provisions Of
the bill, which, be said, was, except in one
point, identical with that OF last year. lie
called attention To The depIOrabIe condition
OF the counlry's seaccast defences, and said
that in the event Of war with foreign
Power it would he impossible to put any OF
our seacoast cities in anything like adequate
condition for defence in less than two years.
Mr.. Randall, OF Pennsylvania, discredted
the idea that we should have a war.
that
hundred years OF its existence as a natl0n
this country had sixteen years OF war.
Dir. Reed, OF Maine, said the condition OF
the scacoast dCfencps Of the United States,
in view OF the prosperous CONDITION OF the
country, was dlsgraceful in the extreme.
No part Of the seuboard could be success.
fully defended even against third-rale
European Power. The navy was not the
best thing TO meet danger With, and. besides
that. an adequate navy would cost more
than Notifications.
Dir. Ellis, Of Louisiana. said a ship Of any
| foreign Power could enter tho harbOr OF
New York in perfect safety and levy con-
| lributIOn thousand times greater than the
sum asked by the Chief Of Ordnance for the
manufacture of heavy CANON. When a
war should break out, there would be 10
| time to imprOyise defences. War might
break out at any time. Cuban cruisers were
| firing on American ships every two or three
months. He hoped that the incoming Ad-
mnistratOn would listen TO no apologies,
| but adopt a policy which would teach all
nations. and especially Spain, that the
American Il u must be everywhere respect
| ed.
Mr.. Reagan, Of Texas, favored the
strengthening Of fJrtiticatlOns, and dwelt
on the necessity OF providing suitable de-
| fences for Galveston harbor.
Mr.. King also alluded to the importance
! of strengthening the defences of southern
ports. which might now be entered aud de-
strOyed by Spanish men-Of-war.
The general debate then closed, and the
| bin was read for amendments.
Mr.. Johnston, OF Virginia, under direc-
| ton of the Military Committee, offered an
amendment making The first section appr0-
pirate 100000 instead OF 100000 for
Strengthening the seacOast defences.
Mr.. Kendall, OF Pennsylvania. spoke at
length in opposition 10 the amendment. He
was opposed TO any increase OF the appro-
priation under faDced apprehension Of
war. There was no danger Of war, and the
country might better rely on diplomacy.
Mr.. Johnston. OF Virginia, supported lbe
amendment. He thought the country Snouiu
prepare Tor war in time OF peace. The spec
tacle now pre-. by the bar Dor defences
OF the country was dl.graceiul.
Mr.. Bount, OF Georgia. argued against
all amendments, and agreed with Mr. Ran
dil that there was no danger OF war. For
eign Powers bad all they could attend to at
home.
The amendment was fnrther opposed by
Mr.. Hill OF Ohio and CalkinS OF Indiana,
and supported by Mr.. McC0ok OF New
York. Finally The discussion closed, and
the amendment was rejected by vote Of
90 to Sc.
Other amendments were offered by
Me,srs. Reagan Of Texas, Fort OF HI
n0is. and Ellis OF Louisiana; but all wer"
either rejected or ruled out.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill TO the House, when It was passed.
Mr.. Gibson. OF Louisiana, from the Com
mttee on Mississippi Levees. reported a
bill appropriaiing 81 S09.090 for the i'm
Drovcmeut OF the Mississippi river. Order
ed to be printed and recommitted.
Adjourned.