The Portland daily press., 1880-02-10
xLVIth CONGRESSES Session.
WASHINGTON, FEB. Q.
SENATE,

SENATE.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the resolutions of the Louisiana Legislature
declaring William Pitt Kellogg not legally
lana 81 the he recognition q Kellogg Is soma
tor and requesting that Spofford be admitted
to the seat now occupied by Kellogg. They
were ordered printed and referred.
The minority report on the bill for the re-
lief of Fitz John Porter was tabled.
Bill to prohibit arrest of election officers on
election day was referred.
A joint resolution authorizing the President
to veto parts of appropriation bills was report
ed adversely upon and placed on the calendar.
A substitute for the bill to revive and con-
tinue the court of commissioners of Alabama
claims was ordered printed and referred.
Bill to revive and continue the court of COM
mssoners of Alabama claims was taken up
and Mr.. Davis.of Illinois proceeded to speak
rpOn it.
Mr. Edmunds made few remarks, dissent
ing from Mr.. Davis argument and asserting
that the award was to the government and not
to individual losers, and that the government
had once decided that certain insurers were
not entitled in justice to any part of it. He
did not favor overturnine that decision.
Mr.. Edmunds was followed by Mr.. Blaine,
who desired to protest in the name of his con-
stituents and in the name OF justice on the
very threshold of this discussion on this sub
ject against the passage OF this bill. He saw
no logical basis OF justice on which it rested
The men who had gorged themselves on
profits from the misfortunes of their country
men were now to be authorized to thrust their
hands into the treasury in order that their
gains, already exorbitant may be made eX-
travagant and frightfully so out OF money that
CAL be paid them Oily by the repeal of a
statute enacted after most elaborate discussion
aud mature consideration He should have
something to say on the bill when it came up
for final action.
Mr.. Garland (Dem) of Ark ansas advocated
the till.
Mr.. Thurman in further remarks asked why
the principle now applied to underwriters
could not with equal justice DO applied to
vessel owners who insured themselves" II Y
merchant vessel made nine successful trips
and was lost on the tenth, why not deny the
owners claim for damages on the ground that
he made more by the nine trips than he lost
on the tenth? He hoped the Senate would not
refuse justice to marine insurance companies
simply because they were rich corporations.
The SENATOR oaths required them to do JUS
tce to rich and poor alike.
Executive session followed and when the
doors were reopened the Senate adjourned
HOUSE.
Under call Of states the following bills were
introduced and referred:
To establish board OF commissioners OF
inter state commerce.
By Mr.. Hutohins OF n. Y, providing that
the term Of office of the chief supervisors of
elections be two years. also prohibiting arrests
of election officers on election day.
Authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury
to issue new bonds to holders of bonds that
may become redeemable in 1881; also for is
sue Oh dditional coupons to holders of re-
deemable United States bonds.
Authorizing the Secretary Of the Navy to
designate United States vessel to carry con-
tributions to Ireland free
To remit the duty on iron and steel.
To prevent general legislation on appropria-
tion bills.
Creating department of manufac tures,
mechanics and mines.
Some criticism was aroused by the speaker
announcing his intention to recognize motions
to suspend the rules from members OF M
mittees in preference to individual members. |
Two bills from committees. one creating an |
additional land district in Kansas and the 9TH
er to regulate the practice in suits of damages !
for infringements Of patents were then pressed |
under suspension of rules
Bill to acquire titles to the Hot Springs res
ervation then came up on motion to consider |
an pending action on the bill the House ad
iournad