Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-02
EORTY.SIXTH CONGRESS.
TUESDAY, March 2.

SENATE.-Mr. Burnside, from the committee
on military affairs, reported adversely on the
bill fixing compensation Of enlisted men in the
signal service. Indefinitely postponed
Mr.. Hoar submitted the following resolution:
'ResOtre0, That the committee on the Judiciary
be instructed to inquire and report whether any
American citizen has been arrested and impris.
Qned for the exercise " their constitutional
right TO petition this body concerning mattef
OF grand public interest, namely: the title TO
which they are citizens, with power to send for
persons and papers and administer oathS"
Adopted. This is supposed to refer to the ac-
tion of the majority OF the Louisiana legislature
in regard to the memorial of the minority of
that body in relation to Mr.. Kellogg's seat in
the Senate.1
reported favorably Senate bill to amend Section
5000, Revised Statutes. Also, Senate bill for
relief OF Chester A. Arthur, collector of the port
of New York. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. EdmundS, from the committee on the
judiciary. reported with amendments Senate
bill to extend jurisdiction of justices of the
peace in the District of Columbia and to regu-
late proceedings before them. Placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Eaton, from the committee on foreign re-
lations, reported as substitute for various
bills referred to the committee a bill to author
ize certain persons to accept decorations from
certain foreign powers. Placed on the cal
endar.
Mr.. Anthony, from the committee on print
ing reported favorably Senate resolution for
printing for distribution Of 500 copies of the an
nual report of the librarian of Congress, and it
was considered and passed.
Bills were introduced and referred as follows:
By Mr.. McPherson-To incorporate the Span
ish-American Commercial company. By Mr..
Coke by request)-To provide for better secur-
ity OF life on sea-gotng vessels. BY Mr.. Harris
Joint resolution to print 10000 copies of the
yellow fever commission report BY Mr. Bal
ley (by requeSt--To refund the national debt
By Mr.. Call-To amend the statutes relative to
letters patent for inventions and for other pur-
poses. Also. to amend section 4439 Revised
Statutes. BY Mr.. McMillan-To provide for
issuing patents for public lands claimed under
the pTe-emption and homestead laws in cases
where the claimants have become insane Also.
TO aid in the endowment OF school OF forestry
al ST. Paul.
The Senate proceeded to consider thecalender.
The bill for the relief OF Major 2. p. G. Hall
was recommitted to the committee On military
affairs.
The bill for the relief of certain actual settlers
on Kansas trust land was laid aside.
The bill for the relief Of James Burke, super
in,endent of national cemetery, authorizing
employment OF counsel to defend him in a suit,
was passed.
The bill for the relief of the heirs of Charles
b. Smith, late paymaster, was passed.
The bill to restore to the public domain part
of the Fort Ripley (Alinn.) military reservation
was laid aside.
The morning hour having expired the Senate
resumed consideration OF the unfinished busi-
ness being the bill for the relief OF Fltz John
Porter, the pending question being on the
mitttd by Mr.. Randolph.
[The bill annuls the findings Of the court
martial and authorizes the restoration of Porter
to the army with the rank OF colonel; authorizes
the President to retire him on that rank, which
allows Porter pay OF major general on retired
list from January 2s, 1868, to August 81, 1866,
credit for twenty years service from September
/, 1866, to the passage OF the act The substitute
authorizes the President to nominate Porter as
colonel, his commission to date from January,
1868 and to retire him on that rank.1
Mr.. Logan opposed the bill
HOUSE.-A resolution was adopted author
iZing the committee on inter-oceanic canal to
employ clerk.
Mr.. Cox, chairman of the committee on for
eign affairs reported back resolution calling on
the Secretary OF state h 1or @ ln1ornatlon as oO 10
what measures should be taken for the more
frequent publication and circulation OF the
commercial reports received by the State de-
partment from diplomatic and consular officers
of the United States. Adopted.
The morning hour was, on motion of Mr..
Blackburn, dispensed with, and Mr.. Blackburn
then moved that the House proceed to the con-
sideration OF the report OF the committee OF The
whole the subject of the revision of the rules.
He stated that 1t was his intention to imme-
diately demand the previous question.
Mr. Conger inquired whether Mr.. Blackburn
would allow yea and nay vote upon an amend
ment striking out from rule 81. the proviso al
lowing political riders on appropriation bills.
On receiving negative answer Mr. Conger
side of the House they would have vote upon
it or they would remain in silent for month or
two months to prevent vote being taken upon
the rules.
Mr.. Blackburn stated that he was acting
under authority of the committee on rules
Mr.. Conger called upon the republican men,
bers of that committee to state whether they
had agreed to demand the previous question.
Mr.. House asked MIR. Blackburn to yield to
him to offer an amendment allowing individual
members in case their bill are not reported from
committee within sixty days to move to SuS-
pend the rules and pass the bills.
Mr.. Blackburn, however, declined to yield
Mr.. Frye stated, in reply to Mr.. Conger, that
he had agreed to the ordering OF the previous
question because he was confident that If the
rules were again thrown open to amendment
and debate amendments affecting the tariff and
the internal revenue would be offered.
Mr.. Garfield, in giving his reasons for agreeing
that the previous question should be demanded,
stated that he understood, though without au-
thority, that the democrats had retained rule 81
by promising some of their colleagues that If
they voted TO retain it no political riders would
be put on at this session. The democrats had
gained an apparent victory with the reality of
defeat,
Mr.. Blackburn, in reply, emphatically denied
that any such agreement as Mr.. Garfield had al
luded to had been entered into.
The clerk then proceeded to read the amend
ments agreed to in committee Of the whole.
The demand for the previous question on the
new rules and the amendments thereto was
seconded without division. and the House pro-
ceeded to vote upon the Amendments.