The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-12-16
xLvIth OoN9REss-2d Session.
SENATE.

w
Bills were introduced and referred for the re-
tirement of small legal tender notes; to regu-
late the civil service; and to prohibit assess
ments or contributions for political purposes
A resolution to inquire into the alleged abuse
of power by United States courts was tabled.
The Senate resumed the bill to establish an
educational fund and apply portion of the
proceeds of the public lands to publ. education
and to provide for more complete endowment
and support of National colleges for the adj
vancement of scientific and industrial educa-
ton.
Mr.. Burnside spoke briefly in support of the
bill, and was followed by Mr.. Brown of Geor-
gia, who strongly favored the measure in the
interests of the blacks at the Sonth. A vote
is expected to be reached on the bill tomorrow.
The bill for the relief Of Samuel A. Lowe
was taken up on motion Of Mr.. Cockrell Dem.)
Mr.. Ingalls, (Rep.) said loves claims was for
an unauthorized compilation of "bogus stat
utes" or slave code of Kansas. which he de-
no9nced in strong Language, stating that the
code was based on the laws of Missouri.
Mr.. Vest (Dem.) of Missouri vigor ously re-
pudiated the latter charge, arc said the people
sent out by Plymouth Church and other pillars
OF God and morality, headed by that old
scoundrel John Brown, who afterwards justly
expiated his crimes on the scaffold, were re-
sponsible for much of the violence of that UNI
fortunate time.
Nessrs. Ingalls, and Edmunds defended John
Brown, and after Mr.. Cocknell vainly endeav-
ored to obtain vote on the bill the Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill declaring roads between all life saw
ing stations, post roads, was referred.
The bill for the retirement of small legal
tender notes was referred.
A Senate bill was passed granting pension
OF 500 to the widow of President Tyler.
The House went into the committee of the
whole on the fertilization appropriation bill.
lain al ina tnir tip1ro d.
ment from the military committee increasing
the appropriation for protection, preservation
and repair of Notifications and other works of
defence from 100000 to 10000, said the
condition OF the sea coast defences was dis
graceful in the extreme. In the present finan-
cial condition of the country Congress could
afford to look the matter fairly in the face.
The sea coast from ono end to the other could
not be defended against the navies of
second or third class European powers. To
day the best harbors in the country could be
entered by the war ships of Europe safely to
themselves and with utmost injury to the
harbors. AS the country was obliged to meet
the possibility of war happening in the life
time of persons now living it was worth while
for Congress to face the extent of the danger
war be but one out of fifty. A navy was not
the best thing to meet it with. A conclusive
reason for this was that the country had no
navy at the present time and for the future
III WOulQ COSb iuOTo W UuIiu SUCH d navy dS
would be needed than to construct fortifca-
tiohs. Beside no navy could be ubiquitous.
There was but one way in which to meet the
danger and that was By the force of modern
science in the matter of Notifications which
had kept pace with modern science in the
matter of Ordinance. To-day forts could be
built impervous 10 every ordinance brought to
bear against them. so
The fertilization bill was then read for
amendments and the amendment referred to
by Mr.. Reed was submitted.
Mr.. Randall (Dem.) of Pennsylvania, made
a long speech against it on the score of econo-
my. aGL E
Mr.. Reed remarked that econo ny should not
become parsimony and penury. He believed
hostile iron-clad could enter the port of New
York and in few hours levy contributions ten
times greater than the amount asked for in the
amendment. The money England had ex-
pended on her navy and coast defences had
been well spent in the protection she had en-
joyed. The gentleman (RandalD could see no
speck of war in the clouds, but were there no
lightning-rods put up until the lightning was
flashing? The very object and necessity of
coast defences was to have them before war
came. The gentleman had talked about hasty
earthworks but he would like to see earth
works thrown up in Maine in December.
After further discussion the amendment as
rejected and the bill was then reported to tn 9
House and passed.
Bill appropriating S1.SO00OO for the i'm
provement of the Mississippi river was ordered
printed and recommitted.
The House then adjourned.