The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-05
XLVIII CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

The Senate was called to order at noon.
After reading the journal large number of
bills and petitions were introduced, including
a bill authorizing American citizens to pur-
chase foreign built ships to engage in the
foreign carrying trade and bill to establish
the postal telegraph system.
A resolution was adopted providing that the
rules OF the Forty y-seventh Congress be the
rules of the Forty-eighth Congress until the
expiration OF two weeks from the date OF ap-
pointment of the committee on rules.
At / 30 the Senate took recess until 2.30 to
allow the committee appointed to unite with
the House committee in waiting on the Presi-
dent.
At 2.3O the recess was extended until
o'clock.
Upon reassembling the Senate members of
the joint committee to wait on the President
reported that the President had requested the
committee to convey to the two Houses in his
behalf the compliments of the season and con-
gratulations upon their organization, and say
to them he would Immediately communicate
with them in writing. Within a few minutes
of this announcement Mr.. Pruden, assistant
private secretary to the President, appeared
and presented the Presidents Message, which
was then read by the Acting Secretary of the
Senate, Mr.. Shoter.
Memorials were presented from the New
York Chamber of Commerce relating to the
death OF ex-senator Morgan, and by Senator
Dawes of Massachusetts, from the Legislature
of that State, urging the passage Of the French
spoliation claims BILL
Senator Wilson of Iowa offered a joint reso-
luton proposing the following amendment to
the constitution:
Congress shall have power BY appropriate
legislation to protect citizens Of the United
States in the exercise and enjoyment of rights,
privileges and immunities and assure to them
equal protection of the laws"
Senator Blair introduced a bill to establish
bureau of statistics of labor under the depart.
ment OF the interior; also bill to fix and re-
gulate the hours of employees OF the United
States limiting the number of hours to consti-
tute days work 10 s, providing that wherever
it should be found necessary to substitute labor
by the hour for labor by the day such labor be
paid for at the rate OF of days pay for each
hour.
By Mr.. Logan, bill to appropriate and ex-
pend $50,000,0 900 derived from internal revenue
taxes and sale of public lands for the edu.
cation of all children living in the United
States.
By Mr.: Hoar, bill providing for uniform
system of bankruptcy. This ia the Lowell bill
introduced in last Congress.)
By Mr.. Slater, bill to repeal the Northern
pany all lands earned from construction of any
portion OF the road, but restores to settlement
and sale of several million acres in Washing
ton Territory and Oregon, being applicable to
that portion of the line west of Wallula juno.
tion. Washington Territory.
At 4.05 p. m. the Senate adjourned until to-
morrow.
A resolution fer the election of those select
ed BY the democratic caucus to fill minor off
ces of the House was adopted and those off,
GERS came forward and were qualified. The
drawing of seats was then commenced
After seats had been drawn the Speaker ap-
pointed the committee on mileage as follows:
Messrs. Moulton, Wellborn, Glasscock, Ran.
ney and Miller of Pennsylvania.
. A. .1t- ~
utes.
Mr.. Reed Of Maine obtained good position
In the centre of the Republican side.
After further recess until three o'clock,
Mr.. Tucker of Virginia offered q resolution re-
ferring to the committee on elections when ap-
pointed, al! papers relating to the election of
representative from the first district of Vir-
ginia with instructions to report as early as
practicable which of the rival claimants to the
seat has prinad fdcie right thereto reserving
to the other party the privilege of contestine
the case on its merits.
at this point the committee appointed to
wait upon the President appeared at the bar
of the House and announced that the Presi-
dent would communicate to the House his
message in writing.
The Presidents secretary at 3.O5 n. m. an
peared and presented the Presidents mes
sage.
Consideration of Mr.. fuckers resolution was
then entered upon.
4uo previous question: uaVlng been seconded
Mr.. Keifer of Ohio spoke in opposition to the
resolution, contending that should it be adopt
ed and Mr.. Garrison allowed his primo facie
right to the seat, Mr.. Mayo would be deprived
of all power of contest. 1t was getting too
common for returning boards in States to in
discriminatory throw out whole counties (as
was done in this case) in order to accomplish
partisan purposes. The House could not be
stopped fsom inquiring into the legality of this
proceeding as well as the merits of the case
finally.
Mr.. Mayo of Virginia declared that the cer-
tifcate which allowed him to be sworn in was
identical with that presented BY his colleague.
Mr.. Tucker. He asked in common iustice
that the House should deal with the case
fairly, squarely and justly. He should be sor-
~ to have to say he belonged to body of men
who so far forgot what was right as to decide
upon case in advance merely because he be-
longed to the minority.
On suggestion of Mr.. Randall of Pennsvl-
vania the matter was allowed to 90 over until
tomorrow, and at $50 the reading clerk began
reading the Presidents message which con-
sumed an hour and quarter and ,hen it was
ordered printed and referred to the COMMITTEES
of the whole
The House at 400 adjourned until tomorrow.