Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-10-28

WAsHrxoror, Oct q. When the Senate
met Thnrpday morning. there was . rumor
that he fnal adjournment would be reached
today, and the adoption Of resolution ior
the payment of extra compensation to the
pages and other employees, served to
strengthen that impression.
On motion of MIR. Ingalls,, resoiuf1on
vas adopted continuing the recess Of the
Senate by the authority conferred upon u for
the committee on judiciary to examine the
subject of bankruptcy, and desiring the COM
mittee to report in December.
Mr. Allison offered a resolution authoriz-
ing the committee on appropriations to con-
duct by the subcommittee, the investigation
ordered as to the disbursements of the con-
tingent fund, aud other expenses of the vari-
Gus departments of the Senate. Laid over
for the present.
Mr.. Morrill, offered a resolution directing
the committee on public buildings and
grounds, TO inquire into the expediency of pro-
vidinz some means for the immediate re-
moval of the depot and tracks of the Balti-
more & Potomac railroad. and for the remov-
al OF the Baltimore & Ohio depot in Wash
ington Laid over for the present
On motion the authority conferred upon
the committee on public lands to inquire into
the condition of the Land Office, was con-
tinued for the recess.
There was laid before the Senate COM
munication from Gov. Colquitt of Georgia,
rendering to the members of the Senate, the
cordial invitation of the officers and execu-
tive committee of Cotton Exposition, to visit
the exposition now being held at Atlanta, Ga
Laid on the table and ordered printed.
The Senate at 1925, went into executive
session.
The Senate remained in executive session
until 5 so, when the doors opened and the
Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
Shortly after going into executive session,
the Senate took a recess for one hour. to en-
able the various committees to consider the
nominations received this morning, and re-
port today.
The Senate before the recess was taken,
confirmed the nomination of Charles Seaton,
of New York, to be supervisor of the census
Folger, James and Hatton were confirmed
without debate or opposition Immediately
upon their being reported back from the
committees to which, as a matter of form,
they had been referred.
The days session was prolonged, however,
until six O'Clock in the evening by an ami
mated contest over the nomination of Clifford
Strathem, .'readjuster'' of democratic ante
cends, postmaster at Linchburg, Va, vice
republican incumbent, wose term Of office
expires on prox. His confirmation was
earnestly opposed by the democratic senators
on the grounds that Wilson was a gallant
Union soldier, severely wounded in the
war; that business men are entire
ly satisfied with his administration as
in the postoffice. and that the proposed ap-
pointment of Stratham, an active supporter
of Senator Malone, is an admirable attempt
to influence the issue of state political con-
test by Federal patronage. 1t was replied
by the chairman of the postofice committee,
(Ferry), that the recent investigations by
special agents of the postotfice department,
show that Wilson has been short in his ac-
counts at three different periods. That his
use of government money for private pur-
poses, subsequently made good the amount,
was gross dereliction of duty, if not an
actual defalcation, and fully warrants his
displacement. That Stratham's appointment
is recommended with great unanimity by the
republicans of Lynchburg. and that the
objection based on Federal interference with
politics is slander and unworthy of considera-
ton.
1t is believed by many that similar resist
ance to final action on this nomination will
be extended to the democratic members of
the Senate until the close of the present ses-
sion, unless in the meantime it shall be as
certaned that Senator Davis will vote with
them. which event Gf party lines are per-
sistently maintained in regard to it) the NOM
ination will be lost by tie vote.