Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-24
f0RTY.SEyEsTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WAsHryGroN, Feb. %.

| Mr.. Plat presented and had read the reso-
lutions Of the New Haven chamber of COM
merce in favor of reorganization of the
signal service.
| Mr.. Rollins, from the naval committee. re-
ported adversely on the petition and bill for
longevity and retired pay to mates in the u.
s. navy. The latter was indefinitely post
lponed.
MIR. Allison from appropriation committee
reported with amendments immediate de-
fciency bill, and gave notice he would call up
the same at ! 80 tomorrow.
| Mr.. Harris presented the memorial and re-
port of the Memphis Cotton Exchange upon
the danger to the river front of Memphis from
the entertainments of the Mississippi
Sir. George introduced joint resolution
authorizing the secretary of war TO issue ra-
tons for the relief of the lsboring classes in
the district soverfowed BY the Mississippi,
which was read, as also a telegram from
lGOyernor Lowry of Mississippi. urging i'm
mediate measures of relief.
Several Senators in explanation of the mag
ntude of the floods stated that the submerged
territory composed the best cotton and agri
cultural lands of the South.
| Mr.. Allison suggested in view of the de-
sirableness of prompt action. the reference of
the subject to the military committee and it
was so ordered.
The Senate bill to amend section 2l33 of
the revised statutes. relating TO Indian trad
ers was passed 1T prohibits any person,
other than Indians, from trading on any In
dian reservation without a license, but spec
tally except traders with five civilized tribes
in Indian territory.)
Unfinished business-The Grant retire.
ment bill wus taken up and Mr.. Bayard
moved to amend by substituting therefor a
DrnyIsiDn a President pf the
United States, who shall have served, or may
hereafter serve in said Office, and who shall
have retired from the same, the sum annually
during his life equal to one fourth part of the
annual Presidential salary, but this not to be
paid IN case of second Presidential term.
Mr.. Brown opposed the amendment and
favored the bill. He would accord to the
man to whom the immortal Lee surrendered
his sword all honor he could accord to any
military hero, and thought the former con-
federates on the democratic side were making
mistakes in failing to show the magnanimity
towards Grant.
The subject was further argued by Messrs.
Call, Jones and Jonas, when Bayard's amend
ment was rejected.
The amendment by Mr.. Sherman prev allied
without discussion, making the proposed re-
tirement additional to the number authorized
by law. The bill was then passed; yeas 30,
noes Il. Brown, Call. Davis of Illinois.
Davis of W. Va. Jones of Florida, and Ran
som voted aye with the republicans. other
wise the vote party one.
The bill authorizes the President in rec
ognltlon OF the eminent public services of
Ulysses 5. Grant late general of the army
to nominate, and by and with the advice and
consent OF the Senate, to appoint to the army.
with the rank and grade of general, to be
| plarp1 n the ratiral LIST
ingly.
Mr.. Logan reported back from the military
committee the Joint resolution introduced
| earlier in the day by George. to provide re-
| lief on account of the overflow of the Mis-
sissippi with an amendment in the nature of
a substitute and asked immediate consdera-
ton of the same. The joint resolution was
Immediately taken up and the substitute rec
commended by the committee adopted and the
some passed without debate. 1t appropriates
100000 to be used by the secretary of war
in the purchase and distribution of subsist-
ence stores for the relief of destitute persons
in the district overlooked by the Mississippi
and its tributaries, and authorizes the secre-
tary to cooperate with the authorities of the
several states, of which the district is a part,
in making distribution of the same.
Adjourned.
| IlNDS
Mr.. Chalmers, of Mississippi sent to the
clerks desk and had read, telegram
from Whitman county, Miss, stating that
the Mississippi had overlooked at that place,
and a thousand colored persons were starry.
ing, and asking for assistance He then
introduced and asked for immediate CON
sideration of joint resolution authorizing
the President to issue temporary supplies OF
food, and disused army clothing, sufficient to
prevent the starvation and suffering of the
destitute pc: sons living on or near the lower
Mississippi river, who have been rendered so
by reason of the present overflow.
Mr.. Marsh, of Illinois, saw no reason why
assistance should be confined To persons liv.
ing on the lower Mississippi.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa
the resolution was referred to the committee
on military affairs, with leave to report a,
any time.
Mr.. Page, of Colorado chairman of the
committee on commerce, reported back a
resolution originally offered by Mr. Cox. OF
New York, reCiting that the lost steamer Ba.
hama was unseaworthy, and directing the
secretary of the treasury to communicate tC
the House any information in regard to such
vessels, with view to so amend the law as
to remedy so gross disregard of life ant
property Adopted
L ne House at l2.4O went into committee
of the whole on the postoffice appropriation
bill. The clause under consideration was
that relative to the star route Transportation
amendment, providing that whenever any
contractor shall sut-let his contract for the
transportation of the mail on any route. 70,
a less sum than he contracted to perform the
service for, the postmaster general NAV de
clare the original contract at an end and en-
ter into a contract with the sub-contractor
without advertising, to perform the service
on the terms which he has agreed with the
original contractor TO perform the same. To
this MIR. Atkins offered an amendment pro
viding that the sub-contractor shall enter into
a good and sufficient bond, and that the orr
ginal contractor shall not be released from
his original contract until a bond has beer
made by the sub-contractor.
After various substitutes and amendments
had been proposed and rejected, Mr. Holman
modified his amendment by incorporating
therein that offered by Mr.. Atkins, and the
amendment was agreed TO.
Mr.. Atkins offered an amendment provid.
ing that when the contract was declared void
on account of having been sub-let the con.
tractor shall not be entitled to one months
extra pay as now provided by law Adopted
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