Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-12
rOKTYSsVsyTH CONGRESS.
second session.


WASHINGTON. Jan H.
Several petitions were presented at the
close of the morning business The Presi-
dent laid before the Senate. according TO
agreement last week, bill for the rrllef OF
Fuz john Porter. The amendment reported
from the committee on military affairs pro-
viding that Porter shall receive no pay or
allowance prior to his reinstatement 10 the
army, was agreed to-
pone the bill.
Mr.. Cameron, Of Pennsylvania spoke IN
favor of the bill.
Mr. Conger read letter of Gen. Garfield,
written in 1878 to Capt Leo, calling the bill
for tue relief OF Porter ian astounding prop
osition,'' and saying the bill would never be
passed without calling a review of his his
tory and putting the people on the most dis
graceful position of our military history.
Mr.. Logan re-stated his view and said the
restoration of this man would be the restora-
ton of criminal.
Mr.. Lapham said that even an advisory
board admitted Porter's disloyalty TO his
commanding officer, Pope The motion was
postponed indefinitely.
Alter a debate. at 2.l0 the Porter bill
passed the Senate.
Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Hoar,
and Mr.. Sewall were the only republicans
voting in the affirmative. The Senate then
resumed the consideration OF the tariff Dill.
After the passage of the Porter bill. Mr..
ingalls, resolution offered yesreiday direct
ing the committee on judiciary to inquire
and report what legislation was necessary
TO provide for ascertaining the existence and
termination of Presidential inability was
passed. The Senate resumed consideration
Of the tariff bill.
A provision tor the collection of duties in
non-enumerated articles, was amended, on
motion of Mr.. Coke, 50 as 10 provide that
non-enumerated articles shall pay the lowest
rate of duty charged on the article II re-
sembles. instead of the highest. The duty
ON hard and soft and CASTLE soaps was
changed from two cents per pound 10 ~
cents per pound ad valorem.
On motion of Mr.. Malone sumac ex-
tract was inserted and the duty fixed at 20
per cent adyalorem.
On motion of Mr.. Plumb the duty on cas-
tor beans or seeds was raised from 80 to 40
cents per bushel, and on castor oil from 40
to so cents per gallon.
HOUSE.
The speaker announced the appointment
of conferees on the agricultural appropria-
ton bill
Mr.. Page, Of California. chairman of the
committee on commerce, reported back a
resolution offered by Mr.. Randall, of Penn
sylvania. calling on the President for the
statement of the amount expended upon
river and harbor improvements since the
beginning of the government, amounts en-
pended on each work within each State, the
value of the improvement, whether any
money has been expended for the improve
ment of any river or harbor not within the
United States, together with such other in
formation as he may deem proper TO COM
municate. Adopted.
Mr. Briggs, of New Hampshire. presented
the memorial of VIM f. Sleeper & Co., OF
Manchester, n. H., and 1924 other citizens
from New Hampshire, praying tor material
reduction in the tariff on sugar, and it was
added 10 the many such petitions (though all
10 not go through the House) now in the
hands of the ways and means committee.
Messrs. Gambler and Robinson, of Massa-
chusetts, presented the petition of the con-
sumers of sugar in Eastern Massachusetts,,
asking for a reduction of the duty on sugar.
Referred.
The consideration of the shipping bill was
then resumed, the section under discus
sion being the drawback" section, for which
the committee substitute is pending, limiting
the amount of ''draw back to the amount Of
tonnage collected. To this substitute MIR.
Gamblers free ship amendment is pending.
MIR. Holman, of Indiana, offered an amend
ment to the original section providing thai
80 per cent of the draw back served by any
shipowner shall be paid to the artisans EN-
ployed in the construction or repair of a yes
sci.
Mr.. Smith, of Illinois, advocated the lStf
| section.
MIR. Townsend, of Illinois, opposed the
drawb back feature of the bill.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine. opposed Mr.. Cand
ler's free ship amendment.
Mr.. Dingey opposed the free ship amend
ment, which would have the effect of multi
tying the drawback clause.
Messrs. Belmont, Cannon and Whtthornt
favored the amendment.
The original bill was supported by Mr.
Murch and Mr.. Moulton-
MIR. Robson followed in a speech in the
course of which he defended John Roacl
from the attacks which have been made upor
him.
After further debate Mr.. Gamblers fire.,
ship amendment to the committee substitut,
for the 18th section was agreed to.
Mr.. Cox then offered to substitute his free
material amendment limiting it, however, tC
materials to be used in the construction o
vessels for foreign trade and it was agreed to
The House then without coming to a vot,
on the substitute adjourned.