Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-11
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
r1rz JOHN PORTER BILL PASSES THE SENATE.
TIE SHIPPING BILL IN THE HOUSE

THE SHIPPING BILL IN THE HOUSE
Senate Proceedings To-day.
Mr.. Cameron, Pennsylvania, presented memo.
against any reduction OF the tariff on bitumnous
coal Also, petition for an increase OF duty on
Sumatra tobacco.
Mr.. Butler presented q remonstrance OF business
men Of Charleston, s. c., against the high duty
now levied on materials for making tin and sheet
iron ware.
BIGAMY
Mr. Edmunds from the committee on judiciary,
reported, with an amendment, the bill to amend
the act of last session, amending the Revised
Statutes in reference to bigamy and said he would
ask its early consideration.
THR DISTRICT POLICE Bill.
Mr. ingalls,, from the committee on the District
OF Columbia, reported the bill to increase the
police force OF the District OF Columbia.
JUDICIAL
Mr. Farley introduced bill to amend the law OF
1875 in relation to the disposition OF in the
Supreme Court Referred to the committee on the
judiciary.
Mr.Cameron, Pennsylvania, introduced a bill es-
tablshing the northern district OF Pennsylvania,
and providing for the holding OF district and cir
reference
Mr.. Grover introduced. by request, bill grant
Washington Territory to the Puget Sound and
Canadian railway and immigration company.with
the right to purchase public lands. and for other
purposes. Referred to the committee on pub
lie lands.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
Mr. Frye asked Mr.. HOar when he intended to
call up the bill to extend the time for filing claims
before the Alabama claims commission.
Mr. Hoar said that since the bill was reported he
had received from citizens of Boston a request
that they night have hearing against the bill,
10 nvN0h "a r,1d ho orrrap tod
Mr. Hale hoped that the Senator from Massa-
chusetts would hurry up the action OF his constit
uents SO that the bill might be disposed Of this
THE HOUR OF MEETING.
Mr. Rollins offered resolution providing that
On and after the 18th OF January the Senate shall
meet at eleven am. Laid over.
THE FITZ JOHN PORTER BILL.
At the close OF the morning business, at 1885,
the President laid before the Senate, according to
the agreement made last week. the bill for the re-
lief OF Fftz John Porter. The amendment re-
ported pd from m the econ committee on military affairs
lowance prior to his reinstatement in the army,
was agreed to.
bill.
n Mr. Cameron Pa.l spoke in favor OF the bill.
He described Porter's valuable and patriotic ser
beginning OF the war, and said he believed that
Porters influence had secured the adhesion of
General nH Thomas to the Union cause There was
rom believed him to have been loyal soldier OF
the Union, whose mistakes, If he made any, were
OF the head, and not Of the heart.
Mr. Conger read a letter of General Garfield,
written In 1873 to Captain Lee calling the bill for
the relief OF Porter ian astounding proposition"
and saying that the bill would never be passed
without calling out review of history which
would enligthen the people on "the most disgrace
ful portion OF our military history"
Mr. Logan restat ed his views OF the law and the
facts, and said Senators must answer to their con-
stituents that they voted for this bill in the face
inn ny,d
some OF the greatest men OF our country. now
dead. II republican Senators so voted, they would
do 1t because certain distinguished gentlemen had
recently taken an interest in having Porter re-
stored. The restoration OF this man would be the
restoration OF criminal
Mr. Lapham said that even the advisory board
admitted Porter's dislOyalty TO his commanding
The motion to postpone Indefinitely was lost
ayes, "a; noes, 81
THE FITZ JOHN PORTER BILL PASSED.
AT 2:10 the Porter bill was passed by vote of 80
ayes to q noes; Cameron, Of Pennsylvania, Hoar
and Sewell, the only republicans voting in the
affirmative.
THE TARIFF Bill.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the tariff bill
House OF Represent atives.
CONFEREES ON THE AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATION
The Speaker announced the appointment Of
Messrs Carpenter, WadswOrth and Hatch as con-
ferees on the agricultural appropriation bill
COST OF RIVER AND HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr.. Page, OF California, chairman of the COM
mittee on commerce, reported back the resolution
offered by Mr.. Randall, Of Pennsylvania, calling
amount expended upon river and harbor Improve
ments since the beginning OF the government;
the amounts expended on each work within each
state; the value OF the improvements; whether any
money has been expended for the improvement of
any river or harbor not within the United States,
together with such other Information as he NAV
deem it proper to communicate. Adopted.
THE CONSIDERATION OF TIE SHIPPING BILL
was then resumed, the section under discussion
being the "drawback' section, for which the CON-
mittee substitute is pending limiting the amount
OF ''drawback" to the amount OF tonnage collect
ed To this substitute Mr.. Gamblers free ship
amendment Is pending.
Mr.. Holman, OF Indiana, offered an amendment
OF the drawback received by any ship owner shall
be paid to the artisans employed In the construc-
ton tic or repair Sos Of Vessel any subsidy were to
capital and labor.
Mr. Hutchins, OF New York, opposed the pend
Mr.. Ward, Of Pennsylvania, opposed the idea of
free trade in Slips. That would be free trade In
Its worst form. and no friend OF the protection OF
idea without abandoning his faith or surrender
ing his principles.
Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia, called attention to
sidy to the Collins line OF steamers, attributed by
Mr.. Robson, OF New Jersey, to James K. Polk, was
not delivered by him, but by w. II. Polk.
Mr.. RobeSOn.-WaS not he the brother OF Presi-
dent Polk7 Sarcastic laughter on the democratic
s1de.]
Mr.. Hammond replied that he supposed the gen.
tleman belonged to the same family. The bill
which w. H. Polk advocated was for the c0nstruc-
tion OF four vessels which were built under tho
Constitution.
MI. Smith, Of Illinois, advocated the 18th Sec
ton.
MI. Townshend, Of Illinois, opposed the draw.
back feature of the bill
Mr.. Reed, OF Maine, said that he would not an
swer the speech just made, for he could have an
swered It any time during the last six years, but
would address himself in opposition to Mr.. Cand-
Mr.. Herbert, Of Alabama, said that the only
difference between the two parties on the floor
was that the republicans wanted to do by SUBJ
sidy what the democrats desired to accomplish
without subsidy, but by free ship provision.
Mr. Dingley, OF Maine, opposed the free ship
amendment.
The District I'm Congress.
THE OLMSTEAD NOMINATION.
The Senate committee on the District OF Colum.
bia held meeting to-day, but took no action upon
the nomination OF Mr.. Olmstead.
THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY MvKsrroA.
TION.
Speaker Keifer yesterday afternoon appointed q
committee, consisting Of Representatives Crowley,
Aldr1ch. B1sb0o. Martin and Cox Of North Carn.