The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-05
XLVIIth Congress-lst Session,
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 4.
Mr.. Mcmillan called up the Senate bill for a
bridge over the st. Croix river between Calais
Maine, and st. Stephen, New Brunswick
Passed.
The House resolution for Redistribution of
journals of the two houses to the public and
law libraries was passed.
Mr.. Dawes presented conference report on
the bill for the sale of part of the Omaha res
eryation in Nebraska. 1t was concurred in.
A bill for the establishment of diplomatic
relations with Persia and authorizingsthe ap-
pointment Of a consul general to that country
with an annual salary of 80 900 was passed.
The senate took up and passed pension cases
on calendar not objected to.
The House bill relieving certain soldiers of
the late war from the charge of desertion was
passed. 1t was SO amended as to exclude from
its benefits those who served less than twelve
months or Intentionally deserted.
The conference report upon the Greek Or
phan fund bill was adopted.
Mr.. Hale presented the conference report
upon the naval appropriation bill and explain
ed that agreements had been reached upon
all items in dispute except that in reference to
the temporary closing of navy yards, and trans
fers of perishable stores therefrom, and one
authorizing the report made upon additional
lands aud water front for the Norfolk yard.
The conference report was accepted and new
conferees appointed on the items in dispute.
Messrs. Allison, Hale and Beck were appoint
ed conferees on the sundry civil bill
Consideration of the tax reduction bill was
resumed the question being on Mr.. Harris
amendment providing for reduction OF 10 per
cent after June /, 1883, and an additional ten
per cent after January l, 1884, upon import
duties.
Mr.. Harris argued that the relief to be afford
ed by the amendment would benefit the entire
peos lie of the country while that of reduction
of taxes under the bill amounting to about
$40 600 900 would benefit only small class.
He asked for division of the question.
Mr.. Cockrell asked whether the Republican
side intended to force vote by night ses-
zion.
Messrs. Sherman and Morrill, replied by over
lures for an agreement to terminate the de-
bate tomorrow, next week or even month
hence SO a vote could be had upon the bill be-
fore adjournn ent sine die.
Mr.. Cockrell said the minority would come
to votewhen they had had fair and reason
able discussion and not sooner.
Mr. Salisbury said some thirty-five amend
ments were pending and perhaps as many
more were to be proposed, and it was impossi-
BILE to arrange for vote. The alternative now
presented was to take the bill as submitted or
nothing and this he would not assent to-.
Mr.. Hawley dared the minority to vote upon
their thirty-fue propositions without another
word of debate.
After some further controversy between
Messrs. Cockrell and Hawley, Mr.. Morgan be-
gan a speech but had made little progress
when attention was called to the absence of
quorum. The roll was called and it being evi-
dent no quorum could be secured sMr. Morrill,
agreed to motion for adjournment aud the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. Harris of MASSACHUSETTS,, a
Senate bill was passed authoring the settling
of the accounts of Edward K. Winshlp, acting
as assistant paymaster OF the army.
Mr.. Holman of Indiana asked leave to offer
a resolution making the bill declaring forfeited
the lands granted to railroad companies and
remaining unearned special order for the 9th
of December.
Mr.. Hazelton of Wisconsin objected.
Mr.. Hutchins of New York offered resolu-
tion proposing a constitutional amendment
providing that it shall take two-thirds Of the
members elected to each house Of Congress to
pass a bill over the Presidents veto, instead of
two-thirds of the members voting, as at present.
Referred.
Mr.. Robson presented conference report
upon the naval appropriation bill, stating that
an agreement had been reached on all points
of dispute except closing the navy yards.
Mr.. Roheson explained the provision OF the
bill as far as agreed upon. The bill as 1t now
stands appropriated $175, 900 less than the Dill
of last year. The report was agreed to and a
further conference ordered.
The conference report on the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill was
presented and agreed to.
The House proceeded to the consideration
of the Senate amendments to the sundry civil
appropriation bill.
The Senate amendments increasing to the
amount sof $500 the appropriations for a
national board of health were non-concurred
in. after some debate during which Mr.. Cox
asserted his belief the yellow fever scare was
being worked up that the salaries OF members
of this board might continue.
The remainder of the Afternoon was con-
sumed in concurring or non-concurring in the
Senate amendments and it was nearly
O'Clock when the amendments were all DIS
posed Of and the bill was sent to the Senate.
The House disagreed to the amendment OF the
Senate bill providing for printing the agricul-
tural report for 1881, and a conference was Or
dered
The legislative bill was signed by Speaker
Hisoock.
Messrs Butterworth and Blackburn were APP
pointed conferees on the sundry civil bill and
the House adiourned