The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-08
XLVIIth Congress-1st Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, June Z.
Mr. Jonas from the committee on railroads,
reported back with written report, petition
of citizens of Louisiana for the forfeiture of
the land grant to the New Orleans, Baton
Rouge and Vicksburg railroad. The commit
tee was discharged from consideration of the
subject.
Mr.. Blair offered a resolution calling for a
statement of the. amounts Of public lands
embraced in land grants to several railroads,
with the amounts certified and patented on ac-
count of said grants, &C., as shown by the land
department records.
The resolution went over without action.s
After debate the Senate passed the Lynch
burg, Va, Camden, N. j., and Clarksburg, W.
Va, public building bills, and took up the Dis
trict appropriation BILL
Mr.J Johnston called up.House.bill appropriat-
ing 100000 for public building at Lynch
burg, Va,
Mr.. Morrill, Of the committee on public build
ings, replying to an inquiry by Mr.. Platt, said
the idea of extravagant expenditure for public
buildings by the present Congress was erron-
eous. He gave statistics in support of his
statements.
The House declaratory resolution regarding
the death of Garibaldi was agreed to.
Consideration of the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill occupied the remainder of the
day. The bill finally went over without
action.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered resolution directing
that the question of confirming the persons ap-
pointed today ON the tariff commission be con-
sidered in open session.
The resolution was laid over upon objection
by Mr.. Plumb
Adjourned.
A bill was passed appropriating $75, ,OC0 for a
public building at Scranton, Penn.
Mr.. Sparks of Illinois begged pardon of Mr..
Cox for words said yesterday, and Mr.. Cox
accepted the dmende honorable.
n
for present consideration the report OF the ways
and means committee upon his resolution call
ing for information relative to the conduct of
Commissioner Raum and recommending the
passage of the Dunnell bill to extend the bond
ed period for distilled spirits.
The Speaker replied that the report would
come from the printer.
Mr.. White suggested that it would not come
back until "the whiskey ring let it,, but sud
denly disclaimed any intention of rejecting on
the public printer by that remark.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr.. Updegraff of Iowa in the chair, and
resumed consideration of the deficiency appro-
priation bill.
On point of orr der raised by Mr. Holman of
Indiana, the clause was ruled out appropri-
ating $4,000 TO pay VIM. II. johnson, attor-
ney in fact or ASST of certain supervisors of
elections in New York city.
Mr. Blount moved to strike out the clause
appropriating $3.50, 900 for bureau of construc-
tion and repair of the navy.
Mr. Hewitt in supporting the motion urged
that Congress should proceed deliberately to
the consideration of the question of building
up the navy. Let it decide what kind of ships
and guns are wanted and then vote money but
to give money in the present circumstances
was a clear waste of public funds.
Mr.. Robson criticised the policy Of Con-
gress on the subject of the navy during the
last six years. 1t had appropriated every year
from 10 to IL millions to maintain naval
establishments but during that period not a
single naval gun had been put ahoat. 1t was
admitted on all hands the government needs
new ships, but they could not be finished for
one year, perhaps not for two or three. In the
meantime it must do the best it could with the
ships it hrd. He thanked God every
ship that now Dore the flag of America to the
world had been built by him or finished under
his direction.
Mr. Blount-The gentleman went to enor-
nous expense in repairing old vessels which
every body admits are useless.
Mr.. Robeson-I deny it. So far from it be-
ing accurate that everybody agreed that ships
undertook to provide for the defense of the
country are good for nothing, every responsible
authority says they are the best OF their kind.
That is my statement against the gentleman's
Mr.. Blount-I will put the gentleman's
statement against his own report as Secretary
of the Navy.
The motion to strike out was rejected, but it
was agreed yea and nay vote be taken in the
House on the pending and following item, ap-
propriating $212, 600 for bureau of steam en-
gineering; also agreed that yea and nay vote
be taken upon the clause appropriating $112,-
600 for the payment of special deputy mar
shals at Congressional elections for 1881 and
prior years.
After concluding the consideration of thirty
two out of the sixty-three pages OF the bill, the
Committee rose.
A resolution was adopted, changing the date
when eulogies will be delivered upon the late
Thomas Allen of Missouri. to Friday, 23d June.
The House then adjourned.