The Portland daily press., 1882-08-07
XLVIIth Congress-1st Session.
SENATE.

Mr.. Hale, from the confere6S on the naval
appropriation bill, reported agreement upon
the only remaining item in controversy, shat
relating to the closing OF navy yards. This was
amended 80 as to limit the abandonment of
the yards to the current year and to permit
the transfer of perishabe merchandise. The
report was accepted and the bill passed.
The discussion upon the House bill to ex-
clude the public lands in Alabama from the
operation of laws in relation to mineral lands
occupied the remainder of the time for morn
ing business.
Mr. Hale, from the conference on deficiency
appropriation bill, reported disagreement for
the third time on the item allowing mileage
for Senators for the special session last sum-
mer. He moved that the Senate rscede in
view of the fact that there seemed to be no
probability of the House abandoning its posi-
tion, the majority in that body to sustain the
House conferees having increased with each
vote taken. The motion was agreed to by
vote of II to II, and the clerk was directed to
inform the House that the Senate had receded
from its amendment.
Mr. Bayard then submitted joint resolu-
tion appropriating $33, 900 for the mileage of
Senators who attended the session convened
October 10, 1881. Considered and passed by
unanimous vote
Conference committees were ordered to be
appointed upon the resolution to print the ag-
ricultural report and bill giving right of way
to the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri valley
Railroad across Niobrara reservation in Ne
braska.
A department communication was read in
response to the Senate resolution concerning
the title by which the United States holds
land now occupied by the Boston navy yard.
Mr. Hoar said that it was now too late to
have the subject referred to a committee, and
upon his suggestion the communication was
ordered to lie on the table and be printed
The tax bill was, on motion of Mr.. Miller of
New York. laid aside informally, and the knit
goods bill taken up. Mr. Miller addressed the
Senate upon the bill.
Mr.. Bayard replied to Mr.. Miller, and re
viewed the decisions of the court.
dispute arose as to whether the bill was
actually pending or not. Mr. Cockrell, on one
hand maintained that Mr.. Miller's remarks
had, by consent, been allowed upon motion
to proceed to the consideration of the bill,
while the Republican Senators, on the other
hand, contended that the measure had been,
in fact taken up, by unanimous consent. The
reporter, upon being appealed to, sustained
the latter view, and Mrd Bayard continued his
remarks upon this understanding.
After long discussion, all amendments
were voted down, and the bill passed as IL
came from the Senate commttee-yeas 36,
nays 10.
At the evening session, Lapham of New
York called up the bill authorizing Samuel
l.. NJ Barlow of New York; John H. Cotton
of Pennsylvania and others, to lay a sub-ma-
rine cable between America and Europe. The
committee amendment to the bill was adopted,
and also one offered by Mr. Hale that the rates
charged upon messages for individuals snail
not exceed 20 cents per word Passed.
Mr. Logan from the conference to relieve
certain soldiers of the late war from the
charge of desertion, reported agreement upon
controverted item excluding from the benefits
of the measure those who served less than
given period; this period, which the House
made five months and the Senate twelve
months had been fixed by conferees at six
months Report adopted a
On motion of Mr.. Ferry, the annual House
post route bill was considered
Mr.. Brooks moved substitute authorizing
the Postmaster-G General to place upon public
highways in States and Territories such mail
service as in his judgment public interest re-
qures, and to report such routes as he may eS-
tablish or discontinue. The substitute, after
discussion, was drawn and referred to the post
office committee, the chairman, Mr. Ferry,
lntimating that it would probably be favorably
reported upon at next session. The bill then
passed.
Mr. Allison presented a conference report ON
sundry civil bills, which was read
At 1886 a. m. the Senate adjourned till Mon
day.
On motion of Mr. Kasson, of Iowa, the SEN
ate amendment to the joint resolution for the
establishment of diplomatic relations with
Persia was concurred in.
Mr.. McCook of New York offered a concur
rent resolution granting the use of the rotunda
and adjacent rooms in the Capitol to the Gar
field Monument Committee from the 25th of
November to the Sd of December, to hold
bazaar and reception in aid of the erection in
Washington of statue to the memory of the
late President Garfield, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Cox of New York moved to concur in
the Senate amendments to the bill amending
statutes relative to steam vessels. He ex-
planned that the object of the bill was to pre-
vide for inspection OF foreign vessels sailing
from american ports. Agreed to.
The House then considered business on the
Speakers table.
The bill with Senate amendments relieving
certain soldiers of the late war from the charge
of desertion ELECTED good deal of interest,
aud much opposition was shown, but amend
ments were concurred in and conference
committee appointed.
The conference report on the navy appor-
tionment bill was submitted by Mr. Robson
and agreed to.
A joint resolution was passed instructing
the Secretary of the Navy to convene a court
of inquiry to investigate the loss of the jean
nette.
Mr.. Dingley of Maine asked leave to put
upon its assage joint resolution providing
for joint select committee of three Senators
and six Representatives to inquire into the
condition and wants of American ship build
ing and ship owners interests. Granted and
the joint resolution passed.
Several bills and reports were presented, but
/ there being no quorum, the House took o re-
cess until o'clock.
AL bHo evening StsSlOH Ndr. OdiklnS OF lnul-
ana submitted the conference report on the
bill to relieve certain soldiers of the late war
from the charge of desertion. Agreed to.
Mr.. Hiscock presented the conference report
on the sundry civil appropriations bill.
Mr.. Hiscock stated simply that the Senate
amendments had been reduced to the amount
of $9580C)
After debate the report was agreed to and
thus the last general appropriation bill was
disposed of by tle House.
After several recesses during the evening,
the House at 1890 a. m. took further recess
until Monday.