Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-04

SENATE.

uresident and secretary of the independent
| labor partv of the city Of New York praying
Congress to raise capifafiOn tax on imml-
grants from fifty cents to one dollar per
head; referred TO the committee on COM
merce.
On motion Of Mr.. Dawes, the secretary OF
| the interior was directed to communicate .
detailed account Of the Indian civilization
| funds the original and present account
The finance committee At special meeting
TODAY had under consideration the bill to re-
duce internal revenue taxation which passed
the House June q.
Mr.. German called up the Senate bill to
encourage and promote telegraphlc commun-
ication between America and Europe. IL
constitutes Robert Garrett, VIM. +. Burns
VIM. T. Frick Of Maryland and other as
sociates of the company to lay an ocean cable
| from any point on the American side to some
point on the European coast. Passed
The general deficiency appropriation bill
vas prnceeded with, and the committee
amendments were agreed to IS read.
The Senate committee reported an amend
mont constituting the first and second comp
trollers of the treasury and the treasurer vi
United States board of credit to hear and de-
termine all questions arising out OF the claims
and proposed allowances growing out OF the
illness and burial of the late President Gar
field and providing method OF auditing
them, appropriating s75, 900 for the payment
of aw ards and limiting the amount to be GER
tilted and paid for medical services to S52,-
500. 1t is further provided that all claims
shall be considered and allowances made be-
fore January LIST, 1883, and that the aggregate
of awards shall not exceed the amount ap-
propriated.
Mr.. Vest raised several points of order
against the amendment. but the Senate by
strictly party vote. 20 to 10, held that it
could be entertained under the rule.
Mr.. Vest then opposed the proposition
with much earnestness. He said it was well
known that the late President, if not
| butchered. was q victim of NAL practice in
| his last illness. The fees charged by the
physicians were exorbitant and not to be al
| lowed in court in ordinary. He referred to
the newspaper charges made during the
Presidents illness; that while the public
bulletins were giving favorable reports the
Presidents physicians were telegraphing in
formation exactly opposite in cipher to Wall
street brokers, and thought that an investi-
CATION even now should be made into a
charge.
| Mr.. Hale said that he was unable to ap-
preciate the force of Mr.. Vests criticism up
on the medical treatment of the late Presi-
dent as a failure. He would not follow
that Senator's example in setting up judge
ment against that of experienced medical
practitioners. He believed that the earnest,
labOrious and patient labors of the physi
clans were known to the country. and the
fact is universally admitted that the Presi-
dents wound was necessarily fatal. He dep
recated the introduction of squabbles of dis
affected physicians, and said that the amend
ment originated with the appropriations com.
any quarter, and afforded means of
of Congress, for settlement by competent
tribunal
Some discussion followed as to the grounds
upon which the Senate committee had based
its reduction from the aggregate reported in
the HOUSE. MIR. Hale explained that the
House committee had adopted the House
basis as their own, but substituted a lower
scale. In reply to Mr.. Garland, he added, that
the proposition was intended to be a quietus
upon the whole matter, and if the language
was sufficiently guarded to that end he would
accept modification which would better
impress its meaning.
Mr.. Garland said he would wave the point
that army surgeons ought to attend the Pres
ident, as commander in-chief, without pay.
and that in law was warranted for medical
attendance in this case. He wanted to be
satisfied of the reasonable use of the charges
but he would pay every man who contributed
to ameliorate the suffering or prolong the
life of the lamented Garfield, all that he was
entitled to.
Mr.. Hawley said that the discussion would
be a indescribably painful one to the country.
The surgeons in charge of the dying Presi-
dent had received the prayerful sympathy of
their profession and people, and were entitled
in common charity to kind and courteous
treatment here. There was no justification
for the reflection upon their personal motives
Mr.. Hoar advocated the amendment as
shielding the family and executors of the
dead President from litigation.
Mr.. Allison said he felt it his duty, as
chairman of the appropriation committee, to
have entered upon the official records the
generous response made to the committee by
President Roberts of the Penn. r X. Co.,
declaring it to be not only the duty but a
pleasure for the company to do what it could
in increasing the comfort and aid in restoring
health to the late President, and disclaiming
any intention to ask compensation of the
government for courteses extended on that
account.
After further debate the amendment offered
by Mr.. Cockrell reducing the appropriation
from 5000 to e57 800, and the amount fol
medical services from So, 500 to s35, 900 was
agreed to. The section prevailed as amend.
ed and the bill passed.
Adjourned until Wednesday.
HOUSE.
| Under the call of States bills were intro.
duced and referred as follows:
By Mr.. Berry of California to abolish the
State of Nevada, and to attach it to the State
of California.
By Mr.. Robinson of New York, a resolu
| fion of inanirx Ii recifes the constitutional