Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-02-24
CONGRESS- YESTERDAY.
THE GREAT BONUS VOTED BY
THE SENATE.
BrOWD. Call. Jones. Ransom and
the DAvises Solid for the "OId
man''-TgIDg UP Mail Contractors
Relief for Sufferers by the Floods
-OglethOrpe Barracks.

Committee, reported with amendments the
immediate deficiency bill, and gave notice
that he would call up the same at 1:3C
o'clock to morrow.
Mr.. Harris presented a memorial and re-
port Of the Memphis Cotton Exchange upon
the danger to the river front of Memphis
from the encroachment OF the Mississ ppi
Mr.. George introduced a joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary of War to issue
rations for the relief Of the laborlng classes
in the district overfowed by the Mississippi
river, which was read, as was also a tcle-
gram from Governor Lowry, of Mississippi,
urging immediate measures of relief, rep
resenting the destruction of property and
stock as immense and starvation imminent,
as the oveifOwed country comprises the best
portion OF Mississippi, and that both whites
and blacks are suffering.
MIR. George explained the magnitude OF
the disaster, and said the district inundated
embraced all the Mississippi delta between
Memphis and Vicksburg, about $50 miles in
length and forty in breadth. This entire
area was now either under water or would
be in short time. FOur-fifth of its popu
latiOn is composed of cOlored labOrers, who
have not the means of support during the
period for which this overflow will neces
saTily Interrupt labor.
Mr.. Ingalls, inquired as to the estimated
number OF laboreTs rendered destitute.
Mr.. George thought it would range from
$4,000 TO 75 600. He added that the over
flows in that section OF the Mississippi bot
tom generally continued from four TO six
weeks, and until the subsidence of the
water there is a total suspension of labor.
He had confined his remarks to the destitu-
tion in Mississippi. The contiguous dis
tricts on the opposite side Of the river in
ArkansaS were also suffering
Mr.. Garland spoke of the widespread de-
structiOn in Arkansas by the overflow as alb
solntely appalling and unprecedented. 1t
had swept away the barns, granaries and
stock of the farmers. He urged prompt
action in extending relief, though he was
not prepared to say what form the measure
OF relief should take.
Mr.. Hampton explained that that part of
the valley under water was the most pro-
duc'iVe and finest cotton growing country In
Mississippi. At that pOtrt water extended
from the YazOo hills on one side and the
Arkansas bluffs on the other, and IL the
river was as high as the dispatches this
morning represented there would be hardly
any land within q strip of $50 miles ia width
above the overflow. The destruction not
only OF stock but Of the incoming crop
would be so great, in his opinion, that he
had no hesitation in saying that the dispatch
from the Governor of Mississippi gave but
faint idea Of the destitution and starvation
that would follow.
Dir. Allison, Of Iowa, suggested, In view
OF the desirableness of prompt action, the
reference of the subject to the Military
Committee, who could consult with the
Secretary OF War upon provisions for Issuing
and transferring ratiODs to the points at
which they are most needed. If the sufferers
were to be relieved y the United States
Government, the relief could only be ex-
tended through the Secretary OF War, and
be thought 1t would be found that this
relief was de tmanded not only for the Mis-
sissippi valley, but those Of several of its
tributaries.
The suggestion of Mr.. Allison being &C
ceptable to Mr.. George, it was agreed to,
aud reference TO the Military Committee
ordered.
The Senate then took up the calendar,
and bills were passed to authorize the Sec
retsry of War to sell TIE military barracks,
and lands upon which they are located, in
Savannah, and permitting the United States
Treasurer to pay Congressional salaries,
etc, in a contingency such as that which
arose in the d. ath of the late Secretary Of
the Senate.
lu6 O6udtb Dlll W dHu6uQ SGCUOQ HlOO OF
the Revised Statutes, relating to Indian
traders, was passed. ct prohobits auy per-
son, other than an Iudiau, from trading on
any Indian reservation without a license,
but specially eXcepts traders with the five
civilized tribes in the Indian Territory.)
The unfinished business, the Grant retire
ment bill, was taken up.
Mr.. Bayard moved to amend by substitut-
ing therefor a provision to pay to every
President OF the United States who shall
have served or may hereafter serve in said
Office, and who shall have retired from the
same, a sum annually during his life equal
to one-fourth part of the annual Presiden-
tial salary. but this not to be paid in case of
a second Presidential term.
After long debate Mr.. Bayard's amend
ment was rejected-yeas 5, nays 81.
An amendment offered by Mr. Sherman,
prevailed without a discussion, making the
proposed retirement additional to the num-
Der authorized by law.
The bill was then passed-yeas 81, nays
II. Messrs. Brown, Call, Davis of Illinois,
Davis of West Virginia, Jones of Florida,
and Ransom voted "aye" with the Republi-
cans. Otherwise the vote was party one.
The bill authorized the President, in re-
cogDitiOn of the eminent public services of
Ulysses S. Grant. late General of the Army,
TO nominate, and by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, to appoint him
to the army with the rank and grade of
General, to be placed on the retired list,
with pay accordingly.
Mr. LOgau reported back from the Mill
tary Committee the joint resolution, intro
duced earlier in the day by Mr. George, to
provide relief on account of the overflow
of the Mississippi, with an amendment in
the nature of a substitute.
The Joint resolution was at once taken up,
the substitute adopted, and the same passed
without debate. II apprOprtates 500, 900,
to be used by the Secretary of War in the
purchase and distribution of subsistence
stores for the relief of destitute persons in
the district OverfOwed by the Mississippi
and its tributaries, and authorizes the Sec
retary TO cooperate with the authorities OF
the several States, of which such district is
a part, in making distribution of the same.
As reported, the measure provided this re-
lief for the laboring classes, but upon the
suggestions or MessrS. HOar and Sherman
the change was made as stated.
After the executive session the Senate ad-
jOurned.
HOUSE Proceedings.
In the House, Mr.. Chamers, of Mississippi,
q MT to the lerk's desk aad had read a tele-
gram from Whitman counts, Mississippi, sta
ting that the Mississippi rivel has overt owed
g. that point, and that THOUSANDS of cOlored
persons were starving and asking for assist
ance. He then introduced and asked for its
immediate considera ion a joint AesOlution
authorizing the President TO issue tempo
rary supplies of food and disuseO army
clothing sufficient to prevent the starvation
and suffering of destitute persons living on
or near the lower Mississippi river, who
have been rendered so by the present over
flow of that river.
Mr.. Marsh, of Illinois, saw no reason why
assistance should be confined to persons
living on the lower Mississippi. and on the
suggestion of Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, the
resolution was referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs, with leave to report at any
time.
The House, at 1910, went into committee
Of the whole, Mr.. Calkins, of Indiana, in the
chair, on the pos. Office appropriation bill.
Mr.. H0lman's amendment, offered Tues
day, providing for the substitution of the
suO-contrsctOr for the original bidder when
ever it shall be ascertained that contract
is sublet at less thsn the original price, was
under consideration. Mr.. Bands substi-
tute, prohibiting the sub citing OF contracts
was ruled out on point of or er.
Mr.. Holman accepted Mr.. Atkins amend
ment, offered Tuesday, as a part Of his
amendment.
Several other amendments and substi-
futes were presented and rejected or ruled
out.
in the course of long discussion which
followed, Mr. Holmsn's amendment, as
amended by Mr.. Atkins, was passed-yeas
80, nays SO
Mr.. Atkins offered an amendment, pro-
viding that when a contract is declared void
On sceount of having been sublet the con-