The Portland daily press., 1880-12-14
xLvIth CONGREss-2d Session.
SENATE.

A resolution was adopted instructing the
military affairs committee to Inquire into the
propriety of such legislation as shall require
the filling vacancies in the signal corps above
the rank of sergeant by appointing from the
navy or promotion in the corps.
Mr.. Hamlin was, at his request, excused
from service on the civil service committee.
The report by the agricultural committee on
contagious diseases Of cattle was presented.
Bills were introduced to provide for the re-
funding of fees in all cases of void registra-
tion of trade marks; making trade dollars
legal tender; for the prevention and suppress
sion of pleuro-pneumoia
The bill for the relief of Fitz John Porter
was taken up and Mr.. Randolph's amendment
that he be restored to the army was submit
ted. An amendment limiting the time of his
restoration to one year after the passage of the
bill was rejected 700
Discussion ensued upon the power of Con-
gress to revoke the sentence of a court martiall
pending which the Senate went into executive
session and subsequently adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Townsend presented the credentials of
3. B. Taylor as member elect from the 18th
district of Ohio.
Mr. Hurd of Ohio objected to Taylor's being
sworn in on account of change in the districts.
and moved that the credentials be referred to
the Committee on elections. Mr.. Hurd claimed
that Taylor had no right to sit in the House.
The whole trouble was with the legislature
of Ohio, which passed law whereby 800 900
people would have fifteen representatives in
the next Congress, while 360,0O0 would only
have five representatives, without making pro-
vision for vacancies. Let the legislature of
Ohio bear the blame, and let not the House
seat men elected from district which had no
existence.
After further discussion, Mr.. Hurd withdrew
his objection, and Taylor, having qualified,
moved that his credentials be referred to the
committee on elections, which was agreed to-
Mr.. Crapo (Rep.) of Massachusetts, introduce
ed resolution declaring that the construction
of an inter-oceanic canal connecting the waters
of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by means of
foreign capital under charter from any Eu-
ropean government is hostile to the establish
ed policy of the United States; is in violation
of the spirit and declaration of the Monroe
doctrine, and cannot be sanctioned or aSsented
to by this government; that the United States
will assert and maintain such control and su-
pcrvision over any inter-oceanic canal as may
be necessary to protect its national interest
and means of defence, unity and safety, and to
advance the prosperity and augment the COM
merce of the Atlantic and Pacific States of the
Union. Mr.. Crapo desired to have the resolu-
tion sent tosthe committee on inter-oceanic ca
nal. but it was referred to the committee on
foreign affairs
Mr.. Cox of New York, chairman of the for
eign affairs committee, said that the commit
tee had already reported resolution on this
subject, and the American Republic was dis
graced because Congress had not acted on it.
Let the House fix some time to act on that re-
port, and notify DeLesseps that the American
people were still alive.
Mr.. King Dem.). chairman of the inter-
oceanic canal committee. spoke in similar
strain, and offered resolution on the subject,
which was, however, out of order.
The following were among the other meas
ures referred: -sf e.
Inquiring the amount of money paid Gen.
Gra du ri
tial terms.
Reducing three cent postage to two cents.
Reforming the civil service. '
For commission to readjust the tariff.
Repeating the export tax on tobacco, snuff
and cigars.
Imposing an import duty of II cents per
pound on "hard" fresh water fish caught in
Canadian waters, and cent on "soft" ditto.
Terminating existing treaties between the
United States and the North German confed-
GRAFTON. s sgsFeq,se ---a4
Mr.. Calkins (Rep.) introduced resolution
which was unanimously adopted, extending
the sympathy of the House to the unhappy la
boring class of ireland in its effort to effect re-
form in the present oppressive tenant system
prevailing in that country.
A resolution of coincidence upon the death
OF NADIA ne Theirs was also adopted.
The electoral count resolution then came up.
In the discussion, Mr.. Davis (Dem.) of North
Carolina, repeated the statement recently
made, that the Republican candidate for Pres
ident In 1876 was counted in upon forged certi-
fcates from Louisiana. He assured the other
side that the Democratic party would not fol-
low such wicked example as mad been set in
1877.
Mr.. Reed of Maine said the Democratic par
ty had got into condition on the subject of
fraud" which might be termed chronic. If
the Democrats ever believed in the idea of
fraud in connection with the election of 1876,
theyought to have nominated at the last election
Samuel j. Tilden, the ablest and keenest man
in that party. Never had there been a baser
thing in the history of the country than the
fraud" business which had been revived by
the gentleman from North Carolina. The
country had become satisfied that the only
fraud which had occurred had been found in
the cipher dispatches, and it was useless for
the gentleman to endeavor to revive that issue.
He denied that the vote of Louisiana had been
counted on forged certificate.
MIR. Davis reiterated his statement and af-
ter some further debate the subject was drop
ped and the House adjourned.