The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-02
XLVII CONGRESS--2d Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March /.
Messrs. Bayard and Beck having asked to be
excused from further service on the conference
committee on the tariff they were accordingly
excused 80.
Mr.. Morrill, asked consent that the chair
should have authority to fill vacancies on the
committee. which was agreed to.
The President appointed Messrs. Voorhees,
and Mcpherson.
They declined to serve, as did other appoin-
tees of the chair.
The President said he had M means of as
certaining who would consent to serve unless
by going around and interviewing every Sena-
tor, but he might find some during the day.
Nsughter.)
The conference report on the Notifications
appropriation bill was agreed to.
After the declination of several Senators the
President finally appointed Messrs. Malone
and McDell on the tariff conference commit
tee.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
sundry civil appropriation bill.
Mr.. Allison said the bill, as reported from
the committee, would appropriate 1874 1856 900,
$9, 600 less than the estimates and $7530C0
less than the act of last year.
The river and harbor bill having been re-
ceived from the House Mr.. Edmunds objected
to the second reading of the bill. 1t was order
ed printed
The Senate at 1880 went into executive ses-
sion.
IL = 10
the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Forney presented conference report on
the fortification appropriations bill and it was
agreed to. The bill appropriates $670,000.
The House then went into committee on the
state of the union, but Mr.. Hiscock objected to
the river and harbor BILL and the committee
rose and reported the objection to the House.
The House by yeas 124,. nays 107, ordered
that consideration of the river and harbor bill
be resumed, and Immediately went into COM
mittee on that bill.
Several amendments were adopted.
Mr. Randall moved to amend the proviso
which prohibits the expenditure of any of tn 9
appropriation until a commission of five shall
report whether the interest of commerce war
rants the completion of the project, by reduc-
ing the membership of the commission to
three.
The item relative to the Mississippi river
having been reached. Mr.. Robinson offered
an amendment prohibiting further construction
or repair of levees except in the performance
of existing contracts. This amendment pro-
voked considerable opposition and after run
ming debate in which many members took part
Mr. Dunn moved to amend by adding pre-
viso permitting the building Of the levees nee
essary for Improvement to the navigation Of
the river. Agreed to.
Mr.. Robinson's amendment as amended was
lost.
Mr.. Updegraff moved to strike out the en-.
tire item. Lost
Mr.. Barrows offered an amendment prohib
iting the building of levees from Cairo to the
head OF the passes. Lost
The clause as finally agreed to is as follows:
That the sum of 81 ,5C0, 900 be and is hereby
appropriated, or SO much thereof as may be
necessary, out ofiany money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated for the improvement oi
the Mississippi river from the head of the pass
to Cairo, including the harbors of New Or.
leans, Natchez, Vicksburk, Memphis, and
reaches at Plum Point and Lake Providence,
and defictions of waters of the Red and Mis-.
sissippi rivers from Atchafalaya river; g We
hundred thousand dollars from Cairo to the
Illinois river, including Alton Harbor; and
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars from
the Illinois river. to Desmoines rapids, includ-
ing Improvement Of Quincy Bay which sum
shall be expended under the direction of the
Secretary of War in accordance with the plans
specifications estimates and recommendations
OF the Mississippi river commission; provided
that no portion of the money hereby appropri'
ated shall be expended at any other points than
those herein specified.
The committee then rose.
Mr.. Moore offered a resolution calling on the
Secretary of the Interior for information. as to
the amount of Indian trust funds invested in
Tennessee bonds and whether Tennessee has
made any proposition looking to their settle.
ment. Referred.
House at $50 took recess until 7.30 p. In.
Evening Session.
Mr.. Hiscock moved to suspend the rules and
| pass the deficiency appropriation bill.
Mr.. Page protested against this action as en-
dangering the passage of the river and harbol
| bill.
Mr.. Hiscock said that il was necessary Il
mako sure that there would be no extra session
| that this bill should not fail