The Portland daily press., 1882-12-12
XLVII CONGRESS--2d Session
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.

w VAShlNGlONy LOU. IL
Among the bills, etc., presented and referred
was memorial of the chamber OF commerce
Of Astoria, Oregon. asking the immediate for
TEXTURE of the land grant of the Oregon Cen
trail railroad company.
Mr.. Slater introduced bill to forfeit lands
granted to the Oregon Central railroad scompa-
ny which have not been earned by said COM
pany and for other purposes.
&Mr. Ferry introduced bill to amend the
pension laws by increasing the pensions OF SOL
diers and sailors who lost an arm OF leg in the
service
Mr. Van Wyck offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, directing the secretary of war to
inform the Senate whether any corporation is
constructing a railroad through the Niobrara
military reservation without authority from
Congress, and whether the military authorities
have assented thereto.
Mr.. Rollins introduced bill to amend the
act re-establishing the court of Alabama claims
and Tor the distribution of unappropriated
monies of the Geneva award.
Mr.. Hawley from the committee on civil
service reform reported with amendment "A
bill introduced by him Saturday to prevent
officers and employees of the government col
lectng subscriptions assessments from each
other, and for other purposes: and gave no
tice that when the Pendleton civil service bill
should come up he would offer this as an addi-
tional section.
AT the close of the morning hour the SEN
ate took up the banking bill, the question be-
ing on Mr.. Browns motion to postpone the
subject indefinitely.
had become SO general and SO urgent as TO force
him TO the conclusion that such law ought
now TO be passed. He favored the Lowell bill.
After debate the Senate refused "a to 26 to
postpone it indefinitely, and by "a to 30, adopt
ed, the Lowell sbiIl introduced by Mr.. Hoar
as substitute for the one reported by Mr.. In
gersoll, from the committee on judiciary. On
motion of Mr.. Sherman the bankruptcy bill,
lThe Lowell billy was sent to the committee on
judiciary for revision.
Mr.. Pendleton moved to take up his civil
service bill. Carried. Yeas A, nays 16. At
Mr.. Sewells request Mr.. Pendleton agreed to
have it laid aside informally that the Senate
might take up the Fitz John Porter bill.
Mr. Logan objected and insisted that the
civil service bill snould be first disposed of
Mr. Sewell asked him to consent to take up
the Porter bill tomorrow.
Mr.. Logan declined, so the Pendleton bill
remained before the Senate, but was Temporal
rily laid aside to take up the bill to relieve an
Arkansas railroad
After discussion the bill was indefinitely
postponed and the Senate went into executive
session.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Belmont of New York, member of the
committee on foreign affairs, presented his
concurrence with the report of the majority
made last July. Ordered printed.
Mr. Townsend of Illinois offered a resolu-
tion reciting that it is alleged that certain ex-
isting railroad lines of transportation have en-
tered into combinations to prevent the con-
struction OF competing roads into Territories
and through States, thereby establishing mon
opolies in transportation, and directing the
committee on commerce TO report bill pro-
hibiting and furnishing such combinations
n oh fad IN IL
sent consideration, and it was referred to the
committee ON commerce.
Several bills were introduced and referred
Mr.. Holman of Indiana offered resolution
calling on the Secretary of the Interior as to
whether any lands granted by Congress to any
railroad company to aid in construction, and
which such company was not entitled to the
patents when the period expired within by the
terms OF the law such railroad was required to
be completed, have been patented to such
companies since the expiration of that period,
and all other information in connection there
with.
Mr.. Crapo introduced a resolution extending
until May IA, 1883, the time of filing claims
before the court of commissioners of Alabama
claims.
The following bills were introduced:
By Mr.. Dibrel, to abolish internal revenue
taxes, and to allow rebate on whiskey and
tobacco also to reduce the specie in the
Treasury to $1500a0,000 by requiring the
OoCIotAIy VI tu6 1r6dSury 10 pay OUT
silver dollars for the current expense OF the
government.
By Mr.. Springer, proposing a constitutional
amendment relating to the election of presi-
dent, vice president and members of Congress.
1t fixes the term of the president and vice
president at six years and makes the president
ineligible to an election for the next succeed
ing term, abolishes the electoral college and
provides for direct vote for president. Every
state shall be entitled 10 as many votes as it
has senators and representatives in Congress,
and the vote of each state shall be cast in pro-
portion to the popular vote of the state for
each candidate. The term of the members of
Congress is fixed at three years and each ses-
sion shall begin on the first Wednesday of
January. In counting the votes cast for presi-
dent ia joint convention each senator and mem
ber shall have one VOTE
By Mr.. Briggs amending the statutes in re-
gard to the election Of United States senators.
This bill has special reference to the legislature
of New Hampshire, and its effect if it becomes
a law will be to impose upon the present legis-
lature the duty of selecting successor to
Senator Rollins.
The House then proceeded to the consider
alton of district business
Alter passing several bills pertaining to dis
trict affairs the Speaker announced number
of committee appointments and the House ad-
iourned.