Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-11
FORTy-SINTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
The Senate

the repeal OF the com puLSoly leSal tenuer power
of United States notes. Referred.
The House joint resolution appropria,ing
$4,000 to enable the United States to be rep
resented at the international fishery exhibition
at Berlin next April, was passed.
Onc thousand dollars was appropriated TO
transport the body of Major General Sykes
from Texas to. West Point, he not leaving
enough property to pay expenses.
TIE INTER OCEANIC CANAL.
On motion of Senator Gordon, the motion en-
tered by Senator Davis, of West Virginia, few
days ago, to reconsider the vote by which
committee was appointed to consider the SUBJ
iect of an inter-oceanc canal, was taken up.
In speaking against the motion to reconsider,
Gordon said that December I'd he introduced
n resolution referring the subjet of the canal
to the committee on commerce. His objects
III doing this so early in the session were to
assure the distinguished representative of Mic
araugul, then in W Arlington, and the capital
lists he represented, as well AZ the Nlcarauguan
government, that this government would not
be laggard In protecting any enterprise which
might be inaugurated on that lsthmus, and
that We might call the attention of this coun-
try we'll Europe thereto. There were
those in the American Senate who were here to
meet the issue, which was nov forced upon US,
and to meet 1t with
FIRM DECLARATION OF TIE AMERICAN GOVERN
NENT
that whenever canal was to be constructed ON
the American isthmus it would be under the
protection of the United States and in thu in
tsrest OF American commerce. Afterwards, in
view of the import nee Of thu subject, he had
asked for n special committee On the subject,
which vas appointed but the Senator from
West Virginia Davis had objected on the
ground OF economy, and moved to reconsider
the vote by which the bill passed.
Senator Gordon spoke at some length, ex-
pressing indignation and establishment that
the expense of employing one clerk should be
set agains. the advantage of a thorough cOnsid-
Grafton of the most important commercial sui
ect of the age. Six hundred millions of peo-
pie, two-thirds of the entire population of the
globe, stand ready to deal with us in a COM
merce boun6less in scope whenever the barrier
of the isthmus is broken down. He alluded to
the great Importance of the diplomatic ques-
tions involved. Was this question to be slight
ed in view of the expense of clerk to keep the
record of the committee?
The morning hour having expired Senator
Eaton hoped unanimous consent would be
given for Senator Gordon to continue his re-
marks.
Senator Edmunds thought the discussion, if
continued, should be with closed doors, under
the 9th rule. There were parts of it that could
not be properly openly considered without yiO-
lating the rules. However, ne would not insist
on the motion at present.
Senator Gordon ended his remarks by saying
that he wished to say nothing about treaty
stipulations, etc, this morning Deiberaticn
was asked for. That was just what he desired
to obtain by the appointment of committee.
1t had been said that Great Britain would get
so to our ; on commerce through the canal,
whoever controlled it. Is 1t to be presumed
that Great Britain will obtain less of the hons
share of commerce when the canal is controlled
by Great Britain or France than if managed or
controlled by America? Are we to protect
Senator Edmunds-SIr. President, L rise to a
privileged motion under the sixty-fourth rule.
move that the doors be closed.
Senator Gordon-T accede to the motion. l
see it will be necessary.
Senator McDonald-I call for the regular
der.
The Vice President-That motion Is in order.
EDUCATIONAL AID.
Senator Randall from the committee ed
ucation and labor ropor, ed bill to establish
the educational fund and apply portion of
the proceeds of the pablo lands to public edu-
cation, AID for 4 more complete endowment
and support of national colleges of advance
ment of scientific and industrial education.
Placed on the calendar.
Senator Wallace, from the committee
finance, reported favorably on the Senate bill
to direct the commissioner of agriculture to
attend and report on the sheep and wool show
at Phiiadelpn; in September. Placed on the
calendar.
MILITARY LAND WARRANTS.
The regular order, the bill to authorize the
secretary of the treasury TO ascertain the
amount of land located on military warrants in
certain States taken up. Senator Ed
muuds opposed the bill and moved its indef
mite ostpoucment. He spoke at length and
will resume his remarks tomorrow. The bill
authorizes the secretary of the interior to as
certain and certify the amount of land located
with military scrip and land warrants in the
States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Miss ,uri,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebras-
ka, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama,
Mississippi, Florida, Oregon. Nevada and Col
orado, where enabling acts of admission into
the Union contain stipulation for the pay
ment OF five per cent. on sales of public lands
therein. 1t provides that after such ascertain
ment the secretary of the treasury shall pay
such States five per cent. on the amount of
such lands, estimating them at 81. % per acre.
Senator Jones, of Florida, gave notice of the
following amendment to be offered by him to
the pending bill: After the first section in
sert: Provided, that the secretary of the inte-
rior shall also ascertain the quantity of public
lands entered and patented under he previs-
ions of the homestead law in the States of Ala
bama, Floi ida, Mississippi, Arkansas and Lou
isiana between June 2ist, 1866, and March Sd,
1871, and all lands entered and patented under
said law during said period shall be subject to
the provisions of this act in the same manner
as lands entered by the location of military
scrip and land warrants.
FgTz JOHN PORTER.
Senator Burnside from the committee on
military affairs, submitted minority report
on the bill for the relief of Fitz John Potter,
accompanies by the following amendment:
Strike ont all after the enacting clause and in
serting hat on application of Gen. Fitz John
Porter, the Presid INT is authorized to grant him
a new trial by court-uiartial on the charges and
specifications upon which he was tried and in
part convicted by the court martial convened
November IS, 1862. The court-martial con-
veued by authority of this act shall consist of
not less than thirteen officers of high rank of
the army. 1t shall consider all the testimony
TAKEN in the first trial as entered on record
thereof, all pertinent ;ial reports, both
Ur:on ana confederation on file, in the wax de-
partmeut. aud such new testimony as may be
offered either by the United States or said Por-
ter, and said courts shall have power, sub
iect to approval of the President to confirm,
mitigate OF annul the sentence of the former
court-martiai ordered printed and laid on table.
Adjourned.