Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-15
XLvIITH CONGRESS,
The Anti-POIygamy Bill, After q Rather
WOrdy War, Passed the House
by the Very
Decisive Vote Of 199 to 42-AdditionaI
Relieffor Sufferers by the Mis-
sissiPpi Overflow.

WASHINGTON, March 14-.Seaate.-A me
mortal was presented from the Wisconsin
legislature in favor Of the improvement Of
the Mississippi and its tributaries, in connec
ton with the great lakes.
Senator Harrison, from the Military Com.
mittee, in response to instructions to inquire
az to the propriety of increasing the appro-
pristion for the relief of sufferers by the
Mississippi overflow, reported that the com
mittee were unable TO state, with even ap-
proximate correctness, the number OF such
persons, the difficulties of communication in
the flooded regions preventing the enumera-
ton OF the sufferers The secretary OF war
il Of the opinion that $4,000 people have
been driven from their homes. 1t seems
probable that some measure OF relief must
be extended the sufferers for at least sixty
days to come. The committee add that they
are not prepared to recommend the continu-
ance of relief until the destitute are again
able to maintain themselves, preferring TO
leave this to the voluntary action of the peo-
pie. There is still a pressing demand for
food and supplies that cannot be met by pri-
vate effort. The committee accordingly re-
port joint resolution appropriating $780,,
900 additional for the sufferers. Passed.
Senator Allison reported from the Appro-
priation Committee the joint resolution APP
propriatiug $4,000 to enable the lighthouse
board to pay the extraordinary expenses con-
sequent upon the Mississippi flood.
Inquiry by Senator Edmunds led TO a dis
custom, in which Senators Allison and Hale
participated, to what, if any, money was
available for this purpose under appropria-
tons already made, and the subject went
over pending further information.
Favorable reports were made by Senator
Cockrell from the Committee on Military
Affairs on the bills authorizing the use of
artillery, camp equipage, tents, etc, the
present year by the soldiers and sailors re-
unions at Topeka, KS; in Indiana, Grand
Island, Neb., and by the Grand Army of the
Republic of Pennsylvania, at Gettysburg.
Senator Harrison reported favorably from
the same committee bill for the relief of
Samson Goliah, involving the review of
court-martial sentence by Congress. Senator
Logan files a minority report against the
bill
On motion of Senator Plumb the tariff
commission bill unfinished business) was
laid aside Informally, and the postal appro-
priation bill was taken up and laid over as
the regular order.
Senator Call then addressed the Senate
upon Chili-Peru matters, presented by his
pending resolution in favor of the settlement
of the controversy by the United States, and
recommending that congress ask the govern
ments Of North, South and Central America
to meet in convention in Washington and
adopt some Just method for the settlement of
all questions between them, and claiming
that our commercial interests were to be SUBJ
stantially benefited by the Intervention; also
to prevent the disintegration and practical
extinction of Peru.
Upon the conclusion of Senator Calls re-
marks the subject was laid aside.
Senator Garland gave notice of his inten-
ton to move an amendment to the Morrill,
tariff commission bill measure on the subject
by himself.
The postal appropriation bill was then
proceeded with, the Holman amendment re-
IatiDg to sub-contracts giving rise to discus
sion. The House provision is that whenever
a Star-route contractor sublets his contract
at profit the department may annul it and
make a new contract with the sub-contractor
for the annual pay given him by his en-
ployer. The Senate committee makes this
apply only to contracts hereafter made, and
allows the postm aster- general to make trans
fers in his own discretion, etc.
The amendment gave rise to quite lengthy
discussion, participated in by Senators Nc
MILAN, Plumb, Beck and others. No con-
clusion was reached, and the Senate adjourned
without action.