The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-24
F0RTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
The Senate Amends and Passes the
Naval Appropriation Bill.
The House Works Away at the Sundry Civil
Bill, and DOdges Consideration of
the Bonded-Extension Measure.
THE SENATE.
The Naval Bill Passed, and a Great Deal of
Time Wasted on Roll Calls.

HNdNstA dSoeu3 anu u OTedI Ocdt VI
Time Wasted on Roll-Calls.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Mr. McDill, from the
com mttee public lands reported bill to
quiet the title of settlers on the Des Moines river
lands and Mr. Dawes submitted the conference
report on the Indian appropriation bill, which
was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Hale, the Senate resumed
consideration OF the naval appropriation bill.
The pending question was on an amendment Of
fered yesterday by Mr. Rollins providing for a
board to scrutinize the active list of the army
and select certain number of officers of each
grade. TO be retained on the active list, tue re-
mainder to be considered supernumerares. The
point OF order raised yesterday, that the amend
ment was inadmissible, because proposing gen
eral legislation, was sustained. F. ..e... RI
On motion of Mr. Hale, the paragraph provid-
ing that the Secretary of the Navy shall invite
proposals for construction of three steel cruisers
anu dispatch boat was amended so as to ex-
ciude the armament OF the vessels from the pro-
posals.
The appropriation for the Bureau of Yards and
Docks was increased 1854, 600.
On motion of Mr.. Lapham, the provision that
hereafter no officer of the navy shall he en-
pioyed on any shore duty unless the Secretary
ofthe Navy shall determine that such employ
ment is required by the public interests, was
modified by adding: Except in cases specially
provided by law.,7
On motion of Mr.. Miller, OF California, the ap-
preparation for the Bureau of Construction and
The third section of the bill, authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to appraise, and, II he
thinks proper, sell vessels which have been
stricken from the navy register, was ruled out
on point OF order containing new legIsla-
ton, and the bill passed.
The Utah bill, being the regular order, was
temporarily laid aside, with the consent of Mr.
Edmunds, and the Senate took up the bill MAX
ing appropriations for the District of Columbia,
which was considered. amended and passed.
Mr.. Allison, from the committee on appropria-
lions, reported the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill, and gave notice that
he would call 1t up and ask the Senate to dispose
of 1t tomorrow. The committee amend
ca t6at the n,ou,.,6 bin BY striking out
consolidation OF the internal revenue collection
districts and reduction of the aggregate number
from 126 to 80, and also the provision requiring
amount appropriated by the bill as it passed the
House was $20,349,lS6. To this amount the
Senate committee added 1916 100, mostly for
pay or additional clerks IN the several depart
ments, $4,000 having been added for pay of
extra clerks in the General Land Office and
$4,000 in the Patent Office.
Mr.. Allison submitted the seport Of the COM
mlttee OF conference on the consular and dplO-
matte appropriation BILL which was agreed to.
The Senate resumed consideration of the Utah
bill. the pending question being on Mr.. Blair's
amendment making prohibition of voting apply
only to ."persons" tried and convicted of polyg-
amy or bigamy, instead of to "females," as in
the bill. The amendment was losi-yeas 6,
nays 81.
Mr.. Logan believed po!ygany to he a cancer
in the body polite which should be cut out by
the roots; therefore, he would for this bill or
for any other legislation within constitutional
limits to eXIirpate this evil and, if legislation
would fail and he could have his way, he would
resort to stronger measures
Mr.. Call said this bill WAS direct attack upon
the constitution of the United States and
fragrant insult to the Christian religion, and
argued that II Congress authorized to de-
prive citizen of the right to vote because of
any opinion he might entertain to the pr
prIety of having more than one wife, 1t would
have an equal right to prescribe possession of a
dozen wives, or the practice of strict celibacy
a necessary qualification for the exercise of the
tinguished by the attacks Of the Christian
religion and the influences of civilization and
our economic laws.
Mr.. ingalls, moved to amend section of the
BILL so as to prohibit voting by women In any
Territory of the United States.
Mr.. Edmunds opposed the amendment, because
he desired to cOntine the operation of this law
the special case for which 1t was framed and not
to raise the general question OF female suffrage.
After discussion, in which Messrs. Jones, of
Florida; Beck, Garland and Maxey took part,
vote was taken on Mr.. Ingals's amendment, re-
snlting; yeas l l, nays 20-no quorum voting.
Mr.. PendetOn moved to adjourn.
Mr.. Ednunds demanded the yeas and nays,
and the vote resulted-yeas 10, nays l6. On a
call of the Senate, thirty-slx senators answered
three less than quorum.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to instruct the sergeant
alarms to request the immediate attendance of
absent Senators, ard, after motion to adjourn
was voted down, this motion was agreed to-
yeas 10, nays IL.
AT a little before o'clock the sergeant-at-arms
made a report in regard to absentees. The roll
was again called, and thirty-two senators
answered.
Mr.. Edmunds offered an order naming the
senators absent without leave and directing the
sergeant-at-arms to bring them in.
From this hour till 10 O'Clock the time of the
Senate was consumed in roll-calls, on motions to
adjourn and to lay the motion on the table.
Finally, on motion Of Mr.. Edmunds the Senate
adjourned. -: