Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-07
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

JOTutO ny the IGeSlUBUt buhb uc WOulu Cfu1'
municate with the two houses in writing
forthwith.
At loo p. N. the Doorkeeper OF the Sen
ate announced the reception of q message
from the President of the United States,
and the Clerk a moment later began to read
the annual message
Bills were introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Ingalls-Grsnting the franking
privilege to Lucretis r Garfield
By Mr.. PendletOn-To regulate and i'm
prove the civil service of the United States.
Also to prevent extortlon from persons in
public service, and bribery and coercion by
such persons.
A bill introduced by Mr.. Morgan to-day
to regulate the disposal of coal lands of
the United States In Alabama provides that
they shall hereafter be subject to disposal
as agricultural lands. The bill introduced
by Mr.. Kellogg to provide for opening and
keeping unobstructed the navigation Of
R d river, proposes for the expenditure of
1000 for the purpose of opening the navi-
CATION of this river and keeping it free
from rats and other distractions.
President Davis called Mr.. Harris, of
Tennessee, to the chair and delivered long
speech explanatory OF his vote on Mr.. Ed
munds' committee resolution. 1t was Ia
coneiiatory spirit, but he announced his
determination TO adhere to his stand taken
under discussion. As result OF this
speech Mr.. Pugh withdrew his amendment
to Mr.. Edmunds' resolution.
Mr.. Kellogg introduced various bills as
follows: For the establishment of United
States ocean mail service and the revival of
foreign commerce in American steam
ships; authorizing mail steamship service in
the Gulf of Mexico between New Orleans
and Mexican ports; for the establishment
of hin mail eprUfpa the
United States and Brazil; for opening aud
keeping unrestricted the navigation of Red
river in Louisiana; to authorize the Bari
TARA Ship Canal Company 10 construct and
operate a ship canal from New Orleans to
the Gulf of Mexico over lands and waters
OF the United States.
By Mr.. Windmill create Dakota
State; als1 establishing the Territory OF
Northern D 4kota.
By Mr.. Bsown-For the settlement of ac-
counts with certain railway companies. l.
authorizes the Score airy of War and the
Attorney Gel ersl to finally settle accounts
with such railway companies as received
property from the United States in
the years 1865 and 1866, and have
made full payment for the same, and with
other companies, whose accounts may be
adjusted under this act, upon the basis of
settlement adopted In the case of the West
ern and Atlantic Railroad of Georgia, under
authority of the act OF 1877.
All the foregoing were tabled to await the
formation of the committees.
Mr.. Beck offered q resolution instructing
the Judiciary Committee to inquire whe her
the existing laws cover every possible con-
tlDgency by which vacancy in the Presi-
dency might occur.
Mr.. MsXey offered resolution OF similar
import.
The message was received at 1:05 p. m,
read and ordered printed.
A resolution was adopied providing for
commission OF six to act with the House
committee TO commemorate President Gar
field.
Mr.. Edmunds' resolution continuing the
committees Of last session was adopted, Mr.
Pugh having Withdrawn his amendment
authorizing the President pro tenn. to decide
whether the committees be divided equally
or otherwise between the two partles-a
party vote, except that President Davis
voted with the majority.
The support Of MshOue, who was absent,
was made available for the Republican side
by transfer to him by Mr.. Rollins of pair
between him aud Mr.. German, who was
absent. Mr.. Rollins, who voted stated
that pair when made carried with 1t the
power to transfer. Adjourned.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Rev. Frederick D Power Chaplain, Open
ed the proceeding of the House with PRAYER
this morning. "We thank Thee, oh Lord
he prayed, "fOr this gathering of representa-.
tives OF The people. We praise Thy name
for the favor Thou hast shown this nation
and these Thy servants during the days
past. We give Thee thanks that though
cloud OF sorrow has enveloped the hearts
and homes of Thy people that Thy provi-
dence has preserved US, bringing ioy out OF
sorrow, light ont Of darkness and wisdom
out of folly"
Messrs. Morse, of Massachusetts, and
Scales, of North Carolina, appeared and
qualified. The work of seit cling seats
having been concluded, the Speaker laid
before the House the Presidents message,
and it was read by the clerk. The reading
| occupied two hours and half. A. first It
was listened to sttentively, but during the
last hour attention tagged, and the mem
bers entered into conversation with each
other or retired to the cloak rooms 10
smoke and read. The Presidents views
on the Mormon question elected some ap-
plause, which was repeated as the reading
was concluded.
Mr.. Mckinley, Of Ohio, then ffered the
following resolution which was unanimous
ly adopted:
Resolved That a committee of one member
from each State represented in this House
be appointed on the part OF the House %
join with a committee which may be ap-
pointed on the part of the Senate to con
slider and report by what token of
respect and affection it may be
proper fer the Congress of the United States
to express the deep sensibilty of the nation
at the decease of its late President, James
Abram Garfield, and that so much Of the
message OF the President SIS refers to that
melancholy event be referred to that com.
mittee.
On motion OF Mr.. Kelley, OF Pennsyl-
vapia, the Presidents message was ordered
to be printed and referred To the committee
Of the whole.
Mr.. McLsne, Of Maryland, asked leave to
offer a resolution requesting the President
to communicate to the House the instruc-
lions sent by the STATE Department to our
Ministers to Chill and Peru in regard to the
war between those countries.
Mr.. Robson, of New Jersey, objected on
the ground that it would be time to go into
that matter when the committees were
appointed, and then, upon his motion, the
House al 1855 adjourned till Friday, with
the understanding that further adjourn
ment should then be taken until Tues Day.
10 the course Of the afternoon, Mr.. Robin
son, of New York, attempted to get the
floor to offer a resolution affecting the dig
nifty of the House, but failed. The purport
Dir. Haskell off red a resolution declaring
that Allen S. Campbell, Delegate from
Utah Territory, is entitled 10 be sworn on
his prima facle case. The resolution Is un-
der discussion, point OF order being raised
against It by Mr.. Cox, of New York.
A DEAD SET FOR SUBSIDIES.
The bill introduced bv Kellogg in the
Senate to-day, for the establishment of a
United States ocean mail service and the
revival of foreign commerce in American
steamships, provides that the owners Of
American sites M hips of three thousand
tons register and upwards shall be entitled
to a sTiain specified compensation for
carryl the mails from the United States
to foreign ports, such mail transportation
to be performed IN accordance with con-
tracts to be made by The Postmaster General
with the lowest bidder on each line.
it is further provided that only those
steamships shall be acceptable for service
which have been built in American ship
Yards, of American materials and by Ameri-
can me chanics, and that tt e vessels shall be
commanded by citizens OF the United States
and manned by crews OF whom at least
three-fourtbs are American citizens. The
bill is a copy Of one introduced by ex-
Senator Blame in January last.
NO FIGHT OVER COMMITTEES.
The Democratic Senators held a caucus
make no struggle 10 the Senate for an equal
division of the committees, as contf mplated
by MIR. Pugh's amendment TO Mr.. Edmunds'
1 Il -.