The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-29
XLVIIth Congress-1st Session,
SENATE.

AT 11.30 the Senate resumed consideration
OF the naval appropriation bill.
/ Mr.. Ferry from the committee ON post ofhces
reported favorable without amendment the
House bill in regard to the pay of letter car
riers. Passed,
Mr.. Hawley reported from the printing COM
mittee the Senate resolution for printing 5oO0
copies OF the official report Of the international
cotton exposition of 1881. Passed.
The Senate bill to provide for the publication
OF the 10th census was passed
The Senate then took up the naval appro-
priation bill.
An amendment proposed by Mr.. Brown to
require examinations for appointment ana
promotion in the naval medical corps to be
competitive was rejected after discussion.
Mr.. Brown modified his proposition so al to
make it applicable alone to appointments, and
In this form it was adopted.
Mr.. Miller OF California moved to amend
the portions regulating the active list of staff
corps of the navy by substituting therefor
provision for the appointment OF commission
to consider all matters according to proper
reduction of the official list OF the navy and
the adjustment of the several gaades and
corps, and to report at the next session.
Mr.. Hale raised q point OF order on the
amendment that it was general legislation
changing existing laws.
Mr.. Hawley remarked that larger part of
the bill was of this character.
Mr.. Rollins submitted that If the amend
ment was not in order on the ground stated
nearly all the committee amendments must be
ruled out upon the same grounds. He there
fore raised the point OF order as against the
pending amendment reported by the commit
tee
The chair (Mr Davisl sustained the point
and ruled in effect that all amendments made
by the Senate committee changing the House
general legislation were out OF order under the
Senate rule prohibiting such legislation upon
appropriation bills.
A long discussion followed in which the rule
was denounced by Hawley and others as un-
constitutional.
He finally appealed to the best sense Of the
Senate upon the ruling upon the committee
amendment dividing the 140 surgeons on the
active list into three classes The chair de-
cided this to be out of ordsr as involving gen.
eral legislation and this decision was sustained
by the Senate.
The committee amendment was consequent
~ disagreed to-
The bill was then proceeded with as in COM
mittee of the whole. Amendments making
changes in respect to the retirement OF naval
officers and promotions on the retired list and
to allowing any vacancy among rear admirals
to be filed by the Presidents nomination of a
captain, as we'll as of a commodore, were &C
cordingly ruled out.
The committee amendment in regard to the
number and promotion of lieutenants having
been ruled out, the House provision was conse-
quently restored.
Mr. Hale moved to make the number 225 in
stead of 200, SO the subject might remain an
open one between the two houses. Agreed to
and the provision passed in this shape. varl-
GUS changes reported by the committee in items
of the appropriation were agreed to without de-
bate.
The amendment dispensing with the civil
force at navy yards was agreed to, but sues-
ton of order was raised upon the proviso that
tanned upon the Atlantic and Gulf coast, and
one upon the Pacific coast, and this was ruled
out. A question of order was raised by MIR.
Blair, upon the item limiting rcpairs on wood
en- vessels, to those upon which the cost OF re-
pair is not over 80 per cent. Of appraised value:
(The committee had amended this by fixing 25
per cont. as the limit. The Chair ruled the
amendment out.
On motion of Mr.. Hoar an amendment was
adopted providing that nothing herein contain-
ed shall deprive the secretary of the navy of
authority to order repairs on ships damaged in
foreign waters.
Mr. Beck gave notice of proposed amend
ment reducing the appropriation for complet-
ing the Miantonomah and launching other
monitors from 81 100000 to 100000 and add
ing prcviso that no further steps shall be
takensfor repair or completion of the four iron
clads until further order of Congress, and
that the naval advisory board shall report to
Congress by December 1st, 1882, as to the wis
dom of such completion.
Mr.. Logan gave notice OF proposed amend
ment aDolishing prize money.
The clause relative to monitors was passed
over informally and will be considered to-mor-
row.
Reading of the bill was then concluded, the
remainder of the committee amendments be-
ing adopted without discussion, and the bill
went over until tomorrow
The House resolution providing temporarily
(until August 3d) for expenditures of the gov
ernment was passed,
Messrs Hawley and Allison Fofered a resolu-
tion amending the rules so that amendments to
general legislation placed upon appropriation
bills by the house shall be in order. Referred
to the committee on rules.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced conference COM
mittees on the Creek orphan fund bill and on
the Japanese indemnity fund bill.
A motion was made by Mr.. Hiscock Of New
York that whom ths House adjourn to-day it
be to Monday. Carried.
Mr. Hiscock of New York offered joint
resolution providing temporarily (until August
2d) for expenditures of the government.
Passed.
Various reports were presented by the COM
mittee on printing and appropriately disposed
of and the House at 1855 adjourned until
Monday