Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-16
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON FeOruafy l0--Wnen the
House met this morning Mr.. Blackburn oc-
cupied the chair, owing to the necessary ab-
senee of the Speaker.
The desk, recently occupied by Fernando
Wood, was draped in black and decorated
with handsome basket Of flowers
Mr.. Carlisle, of Kentucky, from the Com
mittee of Ways and Means, reported back
the bill in relation to duties on manufac-
lures Of iron, etc. Placed on the House c&l-
endar.
After the transaction Of some unimpor-
tant business the House, at 1:50, went into
committee of the whole on the river and
harbor bill. Fifteen or twenty amendments
to the provisions of the bill were offered,
but every one was rejected.
A dispute then arose upon q point of
order as to the character OF the pending
bill, whether 1t was general or special ap-
preparation bill.
The discussion of this point continued
until 5 O'Clock, when the Speaker ruled
that the river and harbor bill was q special
appropriation bill.
MIR. Clymer, Of Pennsylvania, In ridicule
of the bill, offered an amendment appro-
priating SAC, ,000, 900 for the improvement of
the Kiskiminetas and Connemaugh rivers,
III CuubJlthuid
The amount, he said, was not large, but
was the exact sum recommended by the
Chief Engineer. The amendment, however,
wSs Withdrawn.
Mr.. Clymer then offered an amendment
appropriating half million dollars for the
improvement of the Potomac at Washing
ton Rejected.
Mr.. Updegraff, of Iowa, offered an amend.
mept striking out the clause appropriating
! con mn tho mr. nf Naw
river, Virginia. He said he was opposed
to making appropriations for mud puddles.
The amendment was rejected.
! A large number of amendments were Of
! fered, but they were all, with the exception
! of one or two OF formal nature, rejected
| by majority of about 100.
At last an amendment was voted upon
/ when no quorum voted, and that point be-
/ ing raised, the committee rose.
Mr.. Reagan hoped 1t would be the pleas
ure of the House to allow call to compel
members to be present and to go forward
with the measure, act upon 1t and pass 1t or
defeat it. A stand might as we'll be made
| tonight as at any other time.
| A call OF the House was then ordered.
/ The roll call showed the presence of one
hundred and sixty one members, more than
a quorum, but still the doors were closed
and the Sergeant alarms was dispatched
| after the a0sentees.
Two or three hours were passed In a vain
endeavor to arrive at some amicable mode
of settlement by which the session could be
brought 10 q close, but it was the avowed in
tention OF the supporters OF the bill to cit it
| out, while its opponents raised the point of
''no quorum" whenever any vote necessi-
tating quorum was reached.
Mr.. Van VoOrhis, of New York, took the
foremost part in opposing the bill, and the
confusion and noise In the chamber were
very great.
Finally, on motion of Mr.. Atkins, the
House, at O'Clock, took a recess until 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, Mr.. Hereford presented
the joint resolution of the West Virginia
Legislature asking for & law to regulate
Interstate railway traffic. Referred to the
Committee on Railroads.
! A number of bills and Joint resolutions
were reported back from committees and
placed on the calendar.
The House Committee of Ways and
Means elected Representative Tucker, OF
Virginia, Chairman, to secceed Hon. Fer
nando Wood, deceased.
! On motion of Mr.. Bayard the Senate took
up the House funding bill.
Mr.. Bayard explained the provisions of
the bill, and gave In detail the reasons
| which Influenced the Senate committee In
modifying the bill as It came from the
House, by changing the rate OF interest Of
the proposed funding bonds from 8 to 81
per cent.
He said the committee believed the
weight of authority was in favor of incur
ring no risk of failure In the negotiation of
/ the bonds. He then reviewed in detail the
provisions of the bill and the amendments
reported from the Senate Committee.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Baysrd's remarks
! Mr.. Mcpherson spoke at considerable
| bond, and he was followed by Mr.. Herman
In opposition to long time bond.
The latter said he believed It was wise
| policy on the part of the government to
! keep control of the option of paying its
| debts.
! After some further discussion, the COM
mittee amendments were taken up in order.
| The amendment making the rate Of interest
81 instead OF 3 per cent. became the sub
iect of a long discussion, pending the con
| clusion of which, and without action on the
amendment, the Senate adjourned.
ARMY NOMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS RE-
COMMENDED.
The Senate Committee on Military Affairs
to-day authorized favorable reports to be
made to the Senate upon all pending nomi-
nations for army appointments and promo
tions. These include the nominations of
Major D. g. Swain to be Judge Advocate
General; Col. Chas. II. Tompkins to be
Deputy Quartermaster General; Lieut.. Col.
Febiger to be Assistant Paymaster General,
and forty or fifty other army nominations of
less note.
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
Afamaetinp of the House Committea On