Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
FIELD DAY IN THE HOUSE.
SHARP FIGHT ON THE aNn.PoL YeAMY BILL.
THE POTOMAC WATER SUPPLY BILL.
FLOOD RELIEF BILL IN THE SENATE, ETC.

THE POTOMAC WATER SUPPLY BILL.
FLOOD RELIEF BILL IN THE SENATE, ETC.
Senate To-day.
The chaplain In his morning invocation In the
Senate to-day, prayed, "Look Obi Lord, in tender
compassion upon our fellow-citazens who are suf-
fertng from the ravages OF the food: give them
food and raiment and everything that Is cOnven-
lent for their relief"
A memorial was presented from the Wisconsin
legislature in favor o. the Improvement of the Mis-
sissippi and its tributaries In connection with the
grelt lakes
Mr.. Cameron (Wisconstn) submitted and had
read joint resolutions OF the Wisconsin legislature
In ns ia19r % Of the nli for a CO court Of apres,s
discriminating duties on tea and coffee, the pro-
ducts OF the possessions OF the Netherlands with
an amendInentin the nature OF a substitute making
the measure general one.
Mr.. Morgan, from the committee on foreign re-
lat0ns, reported adversely on the claim OF Helen
hire OF the ship Circassian to transport emigrants
from the United States to Brazil in 1867. He sub
mitted resolution requesting the President to call
the attention Of the Emperor Of Brazil to the same
Placed on calendar.
RELIEF OF THE FIOoD-sUFFERERs.
Mr.. Harrison, from the military committee, in
response to the instruction to inquire to the pro-
prety OF increasing the appropriation under the
resolution OF February g. for the relief OF sufferers
by the Mississippi overflow, reported that the CON-
mittee was unable TO state with even approximate
eXactneSS the number OF such persons, the diff
cultles OF cOmmunica ton in the flooded regions pre-
venting the state agents for the distribution OF sup
plies and the army officers sent by the Secy or War
from enumerat1ng the sufferers Many OF these,
higher points OF ground surrounded by the flood,
where they must be sought out and supplied by
the relief boats The Secretary OF War is OF opin-
ion that nearly 500C0 people have been driven from
their homes by the waters, and are in need OF TEN.
porary relief, namely: 20o6 in Iainois, 5000 in
n m and az Is
Louisiana. Capt Lee, one OF the officers sent into
Mississippi, states that the number needing aid
believed that the number Of the destitute in Louis
lana Will be largely increased as the flood is only
now reaching that state. Prior reports at the War
and on hand would suffice to feed those entitled to
relief until after April l. Later Information shows
this s CALCULATION to be incorrect Capt Lee suggests
sent, would be needed in Mississippi alone; ABOUT
100000 ratiOnS were available at the date OF the
last order for distribution March 11th Since then
2OO, 600 rations have been issued 1t seems prOba-
bic that some measure Of relief must be extended
TO the sufferers for at least 90 days to come. The
committee add that they are not prepared to re-
commend continuance OF the relief until the deS-
t1tute are again able to maintain themselves, pre-
ferrng leave this to the voluntary action OF the
people; but the work OF relief has not been suf-
nclently organized, because OF the belief that the
public appropriation would meet the case, they
lor food supplies that cannot be met by private ef
fort They accordnS1y . & Iehortsd Joint resolution
Taken up and passed.
Nominations Today.
The President sent the following nominations to
the Senate to-day:
Lieut-Col. Rufus Saxton, deputy quartermaster-
general, to be colonel and assistant quartermaster
general
Major Richard N. Batchelder, quartermaster,
10 be lieutenant colonel and deputy quartermaSter
Captain Edward B. Crimes asssstan. quarter
master, to be major and quartermaster.
Captain e. +. C. Bainbridge, 9th artillery, to be
First Lieutenant Charles Merrls, 9th artillery, to
be captain.
Second Lieutenant William H. Coffin, 9th artil-
lery, to be first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant william l. Pitcher, sth infan-
try, TO be first lieutenant
Capt Chas. Smart, assistant surgeon, to be
First Lieut.. Chas. Bird 23d infantry, to be CAP
tain and assist mt quartermaster.
Alexander c. Botkin. US. marshal, territory of
To be consuls of the United states-Frank W.
Bns Ballon' Of 6,, Kentucky, at Kshi, Germany; B:
Naples; Budd Smith, of California, at San Bias;
Josiah Turner, @ Michigan, at Amherstburg,
Ganada. Eiwa ard w; Henderson, receiver Oh pub
lie moneys at Central City, Col Adolf Dobrowsky,
receiver OF public moneys at Shasta, Cal. Jacob
Y. Carter. OF Kansas agent for the Indians Of the
Sac ana FOX agency, Indian Territory.
THE CONTEST OVER THE ANT1-POLYSAMY BILL.
The House met at II 80 o'clock this morning, In
continuance OF Monday S session, and the Speaker
announced the unfinished business to be tie con-
pending question to be on seconding the demand
fer the previous question on the third reading Of
the bill.
Mr.. Reagan appealed to Mr.. Haskell to allow an
opportunity for the Offering Of amendments.
Mr. Haskell said that it was understood that the
a
slight amendment merely for the purpose OF hang
Ing up the bill between the two houses. The ennis
the bill.
Mr.; Cassidy said that there were a number OF
members On the democratic side who would vote
for the clean bill without amendment
Mr.. Haskell inquired how many democrats would
do so.
Mr.. Cassidy replied that there was at least one
Mr.. Blackburn asked Mr.: Haskell whether he was
willing to refuse the right Of the majority to vote
upon amendments to the bill
Mr.. Haskell replied that he did not want to deny
to the other side debate or amendment but he
vote first he taken upon the bin as it came from
the Senate, and If twere voted down then it could
be amended.
MT. Blackburn said that he knew of no man who
was not willing to vote for any bill that looked to
the suppression or polygamOuS practices in every
there was no man On the democratic side who
would cfrer any obstruction or dilatory motion to
the passage OF this bill, which many members be-
an opportunity TO perfect the bill before it was
voted upon.
SHARP TALK.
Mr. Haskell contended that II the majority OF the
House desired to amend the bill it could vote down
the previous question.
Mr.. Blackburn-There is no precedent for such
MI: Haskell-1t is the practice OF justice and
equity.
Mr.. Blackburn.-You must perfect legislation
before you vote upon bill Is the gentleman
afraid OF an amendment?
Mr.. Haskell replied by renewing hts demand for
the previous question.
Mr.. Blackburn-You won't get the previous
question under gag law.
CONFUSION IN THE HOUSE,
For several moments there was great confusion
in the chamber, the voices OF those members who
were endeavoring to arrive at some satisfactory
arrangement being drowned by the sharp rapping
OF the Speakers gayel and the loud cries for the
Irregular order" At last, however, Mr.. Burrows
fOf Mtchigan( maraged to make himself heard.
He thought that the proposition coming from gen.
temen on the other side was perfectly fair. He
remembered previous Congresses in which the
democrats were In the majority when, day after
day, the republican minority Had fought for the
simple right OF voting upon amendments. He be-
lteved that they were right then; he believed that
the gentlemen who were insisting On the same
privilege were right now. (AppaauSe on the demo-
cratic 6de] he was in favor OF the bill just as it
was. Though 1t might not be perfect, he would
a ks,tt IN