Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-02
FORTY.SIXTH CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, June 2.

WEDNESDAY, June 2.
SENATE.-Mr. Coke, from the committee on
Indian affairs, reported a bill to prevent depre-
dations upon timber upon Indian reservations.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Kirkwood, chairman of the select COM
mlttee on TIE removal of the Cheyennes and
Poncas, submitted the views of the minority of
the committee upon the subject OF the removal
on the table.
Mr. Pendleton submitted resolution instruct
Ing the committee on the judiciary to inquire
REst. whether sections 1883 to 4l2s Inclusive re-
vised statutes are authorized by the constitu-
ton OF the United States; second, whether the
administrations of justice under the provisions
OF said sections and the DEGREES and regulations
estaplshed therefor are In conformity with the
provisions OF the constitution which were in
tended to secure the rights of person and prop
erty, and said committee may report by bill or
otherwise. He explained that these sections re-
lated TO the Judicial powers of consuls and
ministers in eastern countries. His attention
had been called to the matter by telegraphic
dispatch In all the papers saying that a minister
was exercising jurisdiction which seemed very cry
extensive and extraordinary. If not entirely ur.
warranted He read the sections referred to,
and said they gave absolutely despotic and ire
vocable authority to cOnsulS over any citizens
OF the United States He did not know of any
constitutional authority for these consular
courts, but If such authority exists there could
be none for conferItng extra constitutional jurS-
dlction upon them. Consuls can not constitu-
tionally be authorized to try men without
lurles, convict, and punish by imprisonment or
death when judges at home cannot do so. The
resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Davis wv. Va.) submitted a resolution
ealing on the Postmaster General for copies OF
all contracts between the United States and
Ben holiday between 1859 and 1866 and the
amount paid on them. Laid over On objection
of Mr.. Paddock
On motion Of Mr.. Ransom. and notwithstand-
ing MIR. MOrgans appeal for Consideration of the
calendar al
orders were postponed and the river and harbor
bill was resumed.
The, pending question was On Mr.. Browns
amendment TO Increase the appropriation for
improving Savannah harbor from S65, 900 TO
S10000O.
Mir. Herman opposed the bill, and to show the
increasing extravaganza In river and harbor
appropriations, read statement showing ap-
pr1atlOns as follows: In $50, s. 0Oe 00O in ISL
S3945 800; in so2 800; In lsE4 S. lO2 800;
s5o15, 600. This was the year when the bill ran
up TO an enormous amount, and was sent back
to the committee with instructions to report a
bill not exceeding s5,OO0,o0O. In 1873. there
was no bill at all. and he had heard very little
complaint. In 1879, S, POL 200; in 1850, ST. $40 600
This bill for the year ending June 50, 1881, ap-
pToprates about ss,6e6.oO0, and has already been
loaded down to between 80 900 600 and 81 O. 600 600
Mr.. Herman thought there must soon be
halt. Works OF national importance should be
provided for by the general government, but
small rivers and bays should be improved by
the states who were better able to do it. New
York had improved the Mohawk and built in
ternal canals at her own expense, with the best
results. The general government should not
appropriate for internal rivers, but for harbOrS
and rivers In which the commerce of the whole
country was interested. Mr.. Ferry said that
this bill contained half million OF dollars ap-
preparation for New York state, and this Obec-
tlon came with bad grace from Senator from
that state.
Mr.. Kernan replied that these appropriations
were mostly for New York harbor, He'll Gate
jronr ont S-.
which were in no sense state works.
MI. Ferry referred to the appropriation for
Little sodus Bay, increased upon Mr.. Kernan's
motion 1,00O to $25 600.
Mr.. Herman said that at the request OF his
constituents he submitted the facts regarding
that harbOr, which was OF considerable impor-
lance and the Senate thought them sufficienC
TO at upon, but he did not insist upon the
amendment. Ii any Senator would point out
an appropriation for New York state that was
not necessary he would vote to strike 1t out.
And 1t was Idle to bring up the amount appro-
priated tor his state, fer he had said he intended
10 vote against the bill unless its amount were
reduced. The party responsible for legislation
with this bill.
Mr.. Ferry said he had observed that the Sen
ators from New York generally voted on their
amendments While the harb0r bills were under
consideration, and then argued against the bill
when Ii was sure to pass
Mr.. Herman said he opposed the bill in good
faith and hoped it would not pass. He had vote d
tanned by the intelligent people of his state.
who believed they should be defended
After long debate Mr.. Browns amendment
was rejected-yeas 1G, nays 2S.
HOUSE.-The morning hour having been dis
pensed with, the House at 1l:2O went into com
m1ttee of the whole (Mr. Whitthorne In the
cha1D On the general deficiency appropriation
bill, the pending paragraph being that appro-
pr1atfDg $50 900 to enable the Secretary OF the
treasury TO provide storage for silver coin. To
this was pending as substitute the amend
ment offered yesterday by Mr.. Bland and
amended by Mr.. Hayes. directing the Secretary
OF the Treasury to pay in standard silver dol
lars the amounts appropriated by this act; ap-
prOpratlng $4,000 for the storage OF SO much OF
silver coin as my be retured to the Treasury for
certificates issued therefor, and providing that
the salaries OF members OF Congress shall be
paid in standard silver dollars.
Mr.. Townshend offered an amendment pro-
Vldng that federal salaries shall be paid in sill
yer dollars. Rejected-21 to SIS.
A large number OF amendments were Offered
and rejected, and Mr.. BANDS substitute was
finally rejected-12 to 81.
Mr.. Warner offered amendment approprtating
fSOeo9 for the storage Of coin and bullion
Mr.. Gillette offered amendment providing
that the Secretary of the Treasury Shall pay
OUT for the principal and interest OF the public
debt all the surplus silver coin in the Trea Sury
HiSCOCk.
Mr.. Bland offered amendment directing the
ether expenditures OF the government In stand
ard silver dollars.
Mr.. Hiscock raised point OF order and Mr..
Bland argued In opposition to 1t.
Mr.. f. Wood (N. " contended that the point
was well taken. The interest On the public debt
was matter of contract and Con gress Gould
not 10 an appropriation bill violate contract:
again, the interest on the public debt was pro-
vlded Tor by permanent appropriation and
congress was not called upon In an approprla-
ton bill to provide for the payment OF interest.
Ihe House could not by this process avoid the
just and honorable obligations OF the govern
ment.
Mr.. Mills.-Does the gentleman say that the
bonds cannot be paid In coin?
Mr.. +. Wood IN. Y.)-The principal and In
teIest must be paid according to contract.
MI. Field offered amendment repeating sec
ton of the silver law, provided that all silver
certIf1cateS heretofore issued shall be paid tn
standard silver dollars on demand aud car.
celled under such regulations as the Secretary
OF the Treasury shall make Ruled out on a
point of order raised by Mr.. Warner.
Mr. Springer offered amendment providing
that gold, silver and U. S. Treasury notes be
paid to all public creditors in such relative
amounts as VIII suit the convenience of the gov
ernment without discrimination against either
gold silver or paper, but observing all exist
ing contracts.
Mr.. Hiscock raised point of order
Mr.. Weaver inquired whether the amendment
did not allow the Secretary of the Treasury IN