Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-19
CONGRESS.
Robertson Confirmed as Col
lector of New York.
Merritt Confirmed as Consul
General to London.
Badeau's Nomination to Denmark
Mission Withdrawn.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Nav Is. Mr.. Anthony, chair
man Of the committee on printing, asked that
the committee be discharged from further
con. Iteration of the resolution enlarging the
scope of the official register. 1t was SO or
dered.
Mr.. Burn-ide called up the resolution re-
ported from the committee on resolutions,
relative to the lnterOceanic canals. He
hoped that the Senate would act upon the
| resolution Immediately.
Mr.. Ingalls, said it was not wise or expe-
hient for the Senate at this period oe its sitting
20 pass resolution on the subject. and espec-
tally in the terms that was implied in the
present resolution.
The Inter Oceanic canal resolution was
postponed till the first Monday in December.
Mr.. Saunders moved that the resolution for
investigating the Pacific railroads by the
judiciary committee be laid on the table.
Mr.. Bavards resolution for the appoint
ment 81. a committee of two senators to wait
npon the President and inquire whether he
has further business to communicate to the
Senate. 1t was adopted.
| Messrs. Bayard and Cameron of Penn,
were appointed as such committee, and i'm
mediately proceeded to the executive man.
sion.
| The Senate then took recess for an hour.
fresl0entlaI NOmI0dllOnSs
| The President sent several nominations to
the Senate to-day. including Rear Admiral
Edward T. Nichols, to be chief of the Bereau
of wards and docks. in the navy department.
| When the Senate went into executive ses-
sion this afternoon the nominations received
from the President TO-DAY were read and re-
ferred to the appropriate committees and a
message alsoread, announcing the Withdrawal al
1 bxt h. Pros i1ppf nf th.. nomination of Gen
Bedeau to the Denmark mission.
immediately afterwards, Mr.. Mcmillan
called from the table the nomination of Ed
win A. Merritt. to be Consul General at Lon
don, and it was instantly confirmed without
debate, by viva voce vote, in which the few
negative voices were scarcely heard.
Robertson Confirmed.
The nomination of VIM. II. Robertson as
| Collector of Customs for New York was
called up, and in the same manner without
debate or roll call was also. confirmed, the neg
ative votes being, as in the former instance.
barely noticeable. 1t is said they numbered
less than half dozen.
| The Senate then confirmed several
nominations, mostly Southern and Western
Mr.. Sherman said there was probably nc
graver question in American politics thar
that which grew out of the "Monroe doctrine,
and that the United States had great Interest
in everything which affected the South Amer
lean republics, but the language of the res
olution was so broad and the subject so i'm
portant that he had not supposed the com
mttee on foreign relations would care to pres.
a vote at this session He saw no occasion
for the resolution, inasmuch as the United
States had taken position on this question
time out of mind. He moved the consider
alton of the resolution be postponed until thu
first Monday of December.
Mr.. Jones said this might be a question o
peace or war, because it brought the United
States in face with foreign interest, and nc
action should be taken on grave question
of that kind without the concurrence of thu
representatives of the people at the other enc
of capitol Congress alone had power to de
clare war. and no step of this kind ought to b.
taken by the Senate in the absence Of repre-
sentatives.
Mr.. Burnside said he had no doubt that
resolution of this kind could with perfect
proprety be acted upon by the Senate in {
called session. He thought it was due to peo
pie who were investing money in enterprises
at the Isthmus, that some action should be
taken if the Senate remained silent on thi'
subject 1t was a tactic agreement that sc
tar as the United States was concerned, those
people were safe in making their invest
ments 1t was only as matter of gooC
faith when he asked for action on the resolu
ton. However. he had no desire to pres:
the matter if the Senate did not desire tC
entertain it, and would make no opposition tc
a motion TO postpone it. The motion wa:
postponed until the first Monday of Dec.
and was carriad by large majority