Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-24
rOKTY-SgygyTH CONGRESS.
seoona' session.
SENATE.

the reduction of duties were presented.
Mr.. Van WICK, from the minority COM
mittee on pensions, submitted report in
favor Of the passage of the House bill to
give increased pensions to one-armed and
one-legged soldiers; but as majority re-
port had not been made, the minority report
could not be received.
Mr.. Harris suggested the majority report
would be ready in two or three days, when
the other could also be presented.
The tariff bill was taken up and the Sem
ate began the consideration of schedule c,
metals.
Mr.. Miller. of New York, moved to make
the duty on Iron ore and dross or residuum
from burned pyrites 81 per ton instead of
80 cents as in the bill. He argued that this
duty was required for protection of our ma
tive ores against cheap impOl tations from
Spain and Africa.
Mr.. Morrill, said the finance committee
had come to the conclusion that the duty
recommended by the tariff commissioned
cents a ton-was a fair compromise rate.
Several amendments, proposing a change
in the duty on iron ore, were lost. Mr.. Cam
deI moved to make the duty 60 cents per
ton, and pending the vote the Senate ad-
journed.
Mr. Bu,terworth. of Ohio, introduced a
bill to provide for commission to investi-
gate the subject of railroad transportation.
Referred to the committee on Pacific Kali
roads. 1t provides for the appointment by
the President of seven commissioners, three
of whom shall be experts. Upon the sub
ject of railroad transportation the commits
sion is empowered to visit such portions of
the country as it may deem advisable, and is
directed to report the conclusion to the next
session of Congress.
Several bills were introduced including
one to retire Brevit Major General Rufus In
gals with the rank of Major General.
Mr. Descend. Of Virginia, from the COM
mittee on naval affairs. reported bill to
place Robert Smalls on the retired list of
the navy with the rank of captain.
The House at ii 80 went into a committee
Of the whole on the naval appropriation bill,
the pending amendment being those for grad
ual abortion of the pay corps of the navy,
afterward a discussion Of the amendment
offered by Mr.. Calkins was adopted and is
as follows: Provided that when vacancies
occur hereafter in the paymaster's corps
there shall be no original appointment to fill
such vacancies, but promotions may be made
according to existing regulations from those
remaining in said corps. The officers in the
line sHdll Ue uctdileu " ptElOEui Tue uutlSs
of paymasters under the same rules and reg
uiations as now required of paymasters, but
such officers shall not be entitled to increased
compensation in consequence of performing
| such duties. The committee then passed
from the first paragraph of the bill and the
clerk read the second paragraph which pro-
vides for sea service and for compulsory re-
tirement. Immediately half dozen MEM
bers on their feet with points of order.
Mr. Mcmillan, of Tennessee, being the
first recognized, he confined his point of or
der to the retirement clause and argued that
it was change of the existing law and not
in the interest of economy.
Mr.. Robertson maintained that the clause,
while it changed the existing law, reduced
expenditures.
After discussion the chair overruled the
point of order.
Mr.. Biount raised to a point of order
against the clause making the sea service pre-
requisite of promotion.
The chair sustained the point of order and
the clause was ruled out
After the two amendments had been adopt
ed the whole retirement clause was stricken
from the bill without division.
point of order was raised against the
provision for the promotion by section to the
grade eff rear admiral.
Inc point OF Oruer was sustained anu the
provision struck out.
Mr. Knott offered an amendment, provid-
ing that promotions be made according to
seniority. Adopted.
MIR. Talbot offered an amendment request
ing the President to select from the army
and navy five officers, to constitute board,
for the purpose of examining and reporting
to Congress which of the navy yards
arsenals are best adapted to establish
government foundry for the manufacture of
guns, adapted to the modern warfare, together
with an estimate of the cost of a steam ham,
mer of strength sufficient to manufacture
guns of large calibres. Adopted
The appropriation of 500 900, for the
purchase and manufacture of automobile tor
pedos, having been reached, Mr.. Harris Of
fered an amendment that they should be of
American manufacture.
After debate the amendment was adopted
Mr. Harris then moved to strike out the
clause as amended and insert the clause ap-
propriating 500, 900 for the purchase, after
examination, of the torpedos, the invention
of citizens of the United States, provided
that $50, 900 of this sum shall be paid Asa
Weeks when he shall execute and deliver to
the United States release in writing of all
the claims for the present or future use of all
his inventions in torpedos. The amendment
was adopted.
After completing the consideration of IA
pages of the bill the committee rose.