Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-02-16
THE FOaTY-sIxTH CONGRESS.
Senate.

MONDAY, February Plumb presented q reso-
luton of the legislature of Kansas in favor of the
construction by the government of double-track
government freight railroad from the sea coast west
70 the MISSOURI river, 30 as to make the main line
accessible for commercial purposes to the people Of
all states in tie Mississippi valley. Referred .
consideration Of the pension appropriation bill was
resumed the question being upon the amendment
reported by Withers from the pension committee for
local pensions courts so-called the sixty surgeons
Dill. After debate the amendment declared out
OF order on the ground that it general legisa-
tive measure and could not be engrafted on an
appropriation bill. Question recurring on the BILL
Plumb moved on amendment appropriating 5000, 600
to provide for fifty additional examiners in the pen
sion office and for clerical force necessary for the
pension, adjutant generals and surgeon generals
offices, to render effective the work of paid exam
1ners. Withers raised question Of order. The
amendment WIS declared in order-51 to a.. Adj
journed.
TUESDAY, February 8.-Bruce, from the commit
tee on education and labor reported adversely the
joint resolution to provide for the enforcement of
the e1ght-hour law. Indefinitely postponed. AT
the expiration of the morning hour consideration
was resumed OF the pension appropriation bill, the
question being on amendment by Plumb to in
crease the clerical force. Agreed to-39 to 2. The
committee rose and reported the bill, when the
amendments, with two exceptions upon which sepa-
rate votes were asked) were agreed to. The first
provision upon which separate vote was taken was
one directing the payment of accrued Indian pen
sons in nstalments which had been retained in the
bill. On motion of ingalls, the provision was stricken
out. The remaining provision to be voted upon was
examiners, providing for clerks, etc. Discussion
upon this proposition resumed and continued
without result, being laid aside informally Reso-
lutions from the house announcing the death of
Evarts w. Farr were considered and concurred in
Blair intro 1uced joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the constitution, which was read. It
prohibits after the year 1900 the manufacture and
sale anywhere within the United States of distilled
alcohol and Intoxicating liquors. or any Intoxicating
liquors mixed adulterated with ardent spirits to
any person whatever, except for medicinal, mechan-
rrohih ifs
the expectation and importation of such liquors and
their transportation through any part of the United
States, except for medicinal and scientific uses Re-
ferred. Adjourned
WEDNESDAY, February 9.-Wndom introduced
bill authorizing the Mexican National Railway COM
pany to construct bridge to the center of the Rio
Grande river, or to the boundary line between Mex
leo and the United States. Referred. II O'Clock
the vice president announced the time appointed for
counting the electoral vote had arrived. The senate,
with the vice president at it's head proceeded to the
hall of the house of representatives. Upon its re-
turn the senate received from Hamlin the report of
the teners of the two houses, accompanied by pre-
ambe rectlng the result, with resolution that the
two houses are of the opinion that the constitution
and laws have been duly executed, and no further
declaration Of the facts set forth is necessary
motion OF voorhees, the joint resolution granting
condemned cannon to the Morton Monumental asso-
citation passed. The pension appropriation bill
taken up and discussion ensued on Plurnb's
amendment increasing pension officials. The amend
ment was finally tabled-ayes 81, noes 49, and the
bill was passed Morgan introduced bill for the
other purposes relating to their welfare Referred
....On motion of Wallace the postofice appropria-
ton bill was taken mp, but the senate went into ex
ecutive session, and when the doors were reopened
adjourned.
THURSDAY. February 10.-The senate bill appro-
pratng $500 900 for the purchase of ground for and
the erection thereon Of nall of deposit for govern
ment records was passed. 80. The postofice appro-
priation bill was taken up. Wallace, in behalf of
the committee on appropriations, explained the
changes in the bill maze by the committee The
Or fJ,or,
the estimates and S2054 O2 in excess of the bill of
the last fiscal year. Postal revenues for 1882 were
S38 00O the total of the bill exceeding this by
$780,, 257. As showing the rapid tendency of the
department toward sustaining itself with the pres
ent low rate o. postage he said that in 1871 the total
expenditures $24 800 900: total revenues 500
07O00 while 81 1885, 200 paid from the treasury
to sustain the department. The intervening period
to 1877 showed steady yearly increase in the latter
item, until in the latter year it eliminated in grand
total of 81 ,300 Since then the amount necessary
to be appropriated from the treasury decreased
being last year 49, $685. 400 and this year some 81
900 less. The additions made by the senate commit
tee aggregadng $297 000 included $50 600 special
facilities on trunk lines, seeming necessity in the
southwest; $685. 900 in the item of of rent light and
fuel in country postoces; $780, 900 for inland trans
portion by steamboat routes; $40 900 in the item for
star routes. In committee Of the whole the amend
ments of the C mmittee on appropriations were
agreed to, with the exception of one regulating the
manufacture and cost of postal cards, by specific
provision in regard to single and return cards. which
was stricken out. Pugh moved an amendment re-
Il
atng 600 to establish lines of American iron
steamers. Wallace submitted question of order
that the amendment could not be entertained under
the 29th rule which prohibited general legislation
on appropriation bills The chair ruled upon this
question that the amendment was not in order
Maxey appealed from the decision. Without action
the senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, February 1.-The conference co1nmittee,s
report on the house bill to grant lands to Dakota,
Arizona, Montana and Wyoming territories for uni
versity purposes, recommending the adoption of
anon n4in of AToD0 oil
agreed to-. Wallace took the floor upon his consti-
tutional amendment for district system and popu-
lar vote by plurality rule in presidential elections,
and spoke for an hour At the conclusion of his
remarks the subject was passed over. Considera-
ton Of the pOstOfice appropriation bill (appropriat
ing reported from the senate committee SAL H.
1922 was resumed in committee of the whole. The
chair stated at the adjournment yesterday the
pending amendment was one previously reported
from the committee postoffices approprating, to
be expended under direction of the postmaster gem
eral 81, 000O 900 in aid of additional foreign postal
service in American iron and steel vessels and that
the question upon the appeal taken by Maxey
from the decision of the chair ruling the amendment
out of order in violating the 29th rule which pro-
hibits general legislation upon appropriation bills.
vote was taken on the appeal, resulting adversely
to the chair-ayes Is, )es %. Hambn submitted
substitute for the pending amendment aporoprating
S1,000,00O for foreign postal service, and directing
the postmaster general to contract with iron steam
ships owned by American citizens for such mail SER
vice at rate of compensation not exceeding $50 per
mile way for twelve round trips per annum, or
number of trips per annum The senate without
action the amendment went into executive session
and when the doors reopened adjourned
SATURDAY, February 12.-Morgan, on behalf of the
committee to consider the state of law in relation to
the election of president and vice president stated
that though anxious to bring forward some PROPOSE
ton in reference to this important subject it would
be in vain to do at this late stage of the session.
and the committee would therefore abandon the
pending measure before them. The bill to amend
section 9.089. revised statutes to extend its
provision to all officers of the United States per-
manence of official acts to which the United States
is party or has interest," passed. 1t extendso
officers other than collectors and revenue officers
pecuniary protection for official accounts where the
court certifes there probable The post
al appropriation bill considered, and Ham,
Inns amendment for 81, 100000 appropriation in aid
of American ocean mail service was discussed. A
point of order that the amendment was in conflict
with the twentyffth rule was ruled out by the SEN
ate-17 to 16. Morgan moved to amend Pughs
amendment by adding thereto the following: ''When
vessels built in other countries accepted and
employed the shall be entitled to ell the rights
and privileges reserved by law to vessels built in the
United States except the privilege of engaging in
coastwise trade The point of order regarding the
twenty fifth rule was renewed by Wallace. Morrill,
moved to lay Morgan's amendment on the table, A
vote showed no quorum present, and after call of
the senate and several attempts to reach the