Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL
SENATE,

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, December 21.-The
chair submitted communication
from the Secretary of War trans
mitting the report Of Captain Hans
vel, of the engineer corps, upon his
examination of Little Red River, in
Arkansas, and the proceedings of the
board of trade of Chicago, fayoring
the Hennepin canal project. Refer
red to the committee on commerce.
Senator Beck submitted resolu-
ton directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to furnish the Senate as
soon as possible the present rates OF
duties imposed by France and Ger
many on manufactures of the United
States, when imported into those
countries, especially on various
manufactures of wool, cotton, iron
and leather, and to inform the Sen
ate at what rates like manufactured
articles are allowed to be imported
into these countries from Great Brit
ain, if he has such information in
his possession. He said that, upon
making personal application for this
information this morning he had
been informed at the Treasury De-
partment. that it could only be OBJ
4ained by Senate resolution. This
rule if adhered to generally, would,
he thought, subject Senators to some
inconvenience.
Senator Platt suggested an extens-
ion of the inquiry, so as to
ascertain what articles of American
manufacture are prohibited from in
PRODUCTION into said countries.
senator Morrie asked to have in
cluded in the extension suggested by
Senator Platt, all other products of
the United States. He said the
duties on our wheat, flour, pork, lard,
tobacco and various other articles
were very onerous, and he would like
to see the exact facts placed before
the Senate.
Senator Beck modified his resolu-
ton so as to incorporate all these
suggestions.
A debate ensued upon an amend
ment proposed by Senator Hoar, and
objected to by Senator Beck, involving
long delay to include in the desired
information the rates Of wages paid
in the countries named, to operatives
engaged in the same OF similar man
ufactures. Senator Msxey asked
Senator Beck to broaden the resolu
ton further, so as to cover duties i'm
posed upon our trade by Mexico.
he sald rhey were in many instances
exhorbitant, and as to some articles,
almost prohibitory. We were now
building railroads into that country,
and if we would pursue the proper
course and take such steps as would
ultimately bring about reciprocity
treaty upon fair and equitable terms
to both countries, we will capture
the English trade and make the Mex.
lean country one grand theatre OF
American prosperity. He moved al
amendment. In accordance with his
request, this amendment was accept.
ed by Senator Beck, and Senator
Hoar having agreed to withdraw his
proposition, the temporarily resolu-
ton, as modified, was adopted with
out dissent.
Senator Hoar then renewed his
proposition iu the form of separate
resolution, and it was agreed to,
without vote.
On motion of Senator Kellogg, the
Secretary of War was directed to
tvrnish information relating to the
deepening of the channel at the
mouth of Atchafalage river.
Senator Morgan offered a resolu-
ton requesting the President, in hii
opinion not incompatible with the
public interest, to communicate tc
the Senate all correspondence with
the Mexican government relating
to the claims specified in th,
fifth section of the act of Congress o
June, 1878, and whether payments
have been made in said claim
Adopted.
Senator Call, of Florida, spok
briefly in explanation of his bill 70
the protection of homestead settlers
1t provides that where a selection o
public land under the act of Congress
: granting land to corporations o
| others has been made prior to.home.
, stead entry, but has not been ap-
proved by the government until afte
| such entry, the homestead entry shal
hold good and a patent for the SAM
issued to the settler on completion
of the period of settlement required
by law. Where a homestead settle
has been dis spossessed of his title, b.
is to be defended by, and at the ex-
pense of the United States, and tn
patent issued in violation of the law
to be cancelled.
The bill was referred to the com
mlttee on public lands.
The Senate at 2 o'clock went into
executive session. At 3 o'clock tn,
doors were re opened and the House
Garfield Memorial resolutions were
received and concurred, and at
o'clock the Senate adjourned until
January, 9th.
Mr. Mckinley, of Ohio, from the
memorial committee, reported the