Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-15
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON, February l4.-In the Senate
bills were reported from committees as fol-
lows:
By Mr.. Garland, from the Judiciary
Favorably the House bill to fix the time
for holding United States District and Cir
cult Courts for the Western district Of
Texas. Passed.
By Mr.. Davis, of West Virglnia-FaYor-
ably the House bill appropriating money
towards the expenses to be incurred In the
Centennial celebration Of the battle on
Groton Heights, and for other purposes.
Placed on the calendar.
Resolutions were adopted calling the at
tention OF the District Commissioners to
the importance OF $50 constructing the
long bridge as TO prevent the repetition of
the trouble caused by the recent Hood"
The Senate then took up the post Office
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Morgan's free ships amendment to
the subsidy amendment, reported from the
Post Office Committee, was ruled out on s
point of order.
Mr.. Bayari spoke in opposition to ocean
steamship subsidies, basiGg his opposition
on the grounds that they were contrary to
Democratic doctrine and usage.
MIR Morgan said be could see nothing OBJ
jectionable in paying steamship companies
for services rendered.
Mr.. White spoke at length in opposition
to the pending amendment and to subsidy
legislation generally.
Mr.. Beck said he Rad heard OF 20 com
plaint that American postal facilities were
deficient. Mr. Morgan replied that the
Southern ports had been closed to the Unit
ed States mails BY the policy OF the govern
ment, and the South now asked that postal
facilities be extended TO her.
After some further discussion, Mr.. Teller
moved to lay the amendment on the table
to avoid further discussion. Agreed to
yeas 81, nays IA.
The committee OF the whole then reported
the bill to the Senate and it was passed.
The House funding bill WAS then taken
up and informally laid aside as the regular
order CT business to morrow.
Pending the discussion of the cattle dis
ease bill, the Senate adjourned as mark of
respect to the memory Of Hon. Fernando
Wood.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, under. the call of States,
number OF bills were introduced AID re.
ferred, among them one by Mr.. Towns,
hend, Of Illinois, fxiug the first Monday In
November as the time for the assembling
of Congress. The Speaker then proceeded
to call committees for reports.
A number OF bills aud resolutions were
reported back. Among them resolutions
declaring the policy OF the United States in
regard to the interoceanic canal. Referred
to the committee of the whole
On motion Of Mr.. Dibrell, Of Tennessee,
the bill was passed making Chattanooga,
Tennessee, port OF delivery.
The House then proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of District business.
In the meantime a telegram was received
announcing the death Of Hon. Fernando
Wood.
Resolutions were adopted expressing the
sorrow Of the House and respect for the
memory Of the deceased, and a committee
was appointed to superlntend his funeral
ceremonies. As further mark OF respect,
the House adjourned.
THE POST OFFICE APPROPRIATION BILL.
1t is understood that the reason why The
subsidy amendment to the post of!lce appro-
priation bill was laid on the table In the
Senate this afternoon by so decisive a vote
is as follows: Senators who were In favor
OF free ships caused an amendment 70 be
introduced By Mr.. Morgan on Saturday,
making 1t clear that even foreign built
ships, if owned and manned by Americans,
would have the right to participate In the
piOpOeCO eupoihf dSA W COupSIC lOI III Win
ships of American construction.
This feature, which would have the effect
OF abolishing the present navigation laws,
was regarded by many as the most i'm
pOrtant part Of the proposed subsidy legis-
laiion, and when Mr.. Mcrgan's amendment,
In which 1t was embodied, was defeated this
afternoon large number even of those Sen
ators who had favored the original subsidy
amendment voted to lay 1t on the table, be-
cause they were Dot willing to grant a sub
sidy without at the same time providing for
free chips.
SOUTHERN CLAIMS ALLOWED.
The House Committee on War Claims
agreed today to report favorahly to the
House bill appropriating $l03, 600 for the
payment of claims reported allowed by the
Commissioners Of Claims, under the act of
Congress of March 8, 1871. The item embraces
ninetY-three claims Of persons residing in
the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vir-
giuia.