The Portland daily press., 1884-03-25
FORTY-EHGRTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, MhECu @1s
The Senate today was presided over by SEN
ator Sherman. The chair laid before tne
Senate communication from the Attorney
General asking for an appropriation OF Slu-VuU,
to be applied to the defense OF the United
States in the cases referred by Congress ana
the Executive Department to the Court OF
Claims. These cases, the Attorney GanxIai
states cover claims amounting to $l6,oOVouo,
although the act under which these Cases nave
been referred. was passed only last year.
Mr.. Vance presented the views OF mlneElty
of the Committee on foreign relations rsls4ise
TO the action and the report on the suDJeys ~
the exclusion of American meats from forsign
countries.
Mr. Van Wyck offered resolution which
lies over until tomorrow, calling on tne Atsor-
ney General for information in regard 70 Lne
star route cases which was asked for Dy the
House January 24th, and which the Attorney
General has, up to date, failed to furnish.
Mr. Rddleberger offered resolution when
was agreed to, insfructing the COMMITTEES on
commerce to investigate the merits OF gas ~ an
illuminator for beacons, buoys, &c.
Il was moved to make q special order Tor
Thursday next of the bill organizing into
State and admitting into the Union as sucn,
the territory OF Dakota But after discus ssion
this failed to pass.
The Senate then took up the bill to increase
the salaries OF the United Sts'es district 1ndg-
es to SIS 600. Mr.. Van Wyck's motion 20 make
the figure IA 600 was voted down.
Mr.. Coke offered an amendment making u
unlawful for any relative of a circuit or us
triet judge of the United States to hold ONCE
in he courts with which such judges are con-
nected and making il a misdmesnor for judge
TO knowingly appoint any OF his relatives 70
office in his court.
In support of his amendment Mr.. Coke
spoke stron ely in depreciation of the abuses
which had grown mp in the Federal courts by
reason of the appointment BY Judges OF
relatives of their own In courts over whfSh
they presided When the clerk of the court
and deputies and subordinates were all rela-
tives of the judge it was difficult il not impos-
sible for the ltigants TO avoid being feeced,
ana bills of costs we're made up to outrageous
sums. The evil, he said, had grown to fla
grant proportions in two OF the districts OF
Texas, the northern district being the one ex-
cepted.
Mr. Money agreed with Mr.. Coke.
Mr. Hoar moved a substitute for Mr.. Coke's
amendment so as to exclude from appointment
all relatives within the degree of first cousin.
Debate on the bill was continued until two
O'Clock hen the matter went over and the
chair laid before the Senate bill to aid in the
establishment and temporary support of COM
mon schools.
Mr.. Garland addressed the Senate in favor
OF the bill. He said certainly the people of
Arkansas have done all In their power to edu-
cate the colored race but from circumstances
absolutely beyond their control they could not
meet the great evil of iliteracy.
Mr.. Frye inquired whether there was on the
part of the educators of Arkansas any preju-
dice against the education of the colored peo-
pie.
Mr.. Garland replied that he knew there was
none.
Mr.. Coke made constitutional argument
against the bill.
Mr.. Vance supported the bill. The National
government had freed the colored people aud
the Southern States were unable to educate
them, but Mr. Vance did net expect the bill
TO pas. He had long believed and he now
saw the confirmation of his belief that Sena-
tors On the other side of the chamber were
louder in professions than in acts in behalf of
colored people. Deba'e was continued at
great length by Messrs. Ingalls,, Vest, Vance
an Ridd eberger.
Mr.. Butler said it was clear that the Senate
was not prepared TO vote on the bill today, and
therefore moved that the Senate go into exec
utive session.
The Senate at p. m. went into executive
session and when the doors reopened ad-
journed.
In the House MIR. Ellis asked unanimous
consent to introduce joint resolution appro-
priating 100000 to be Immediately available
TO be expended at the discretion OF the Secre-
tary of War in preventing the Mississippi
river from overlooking the city of New Or
leans and the country adjacent
Mr. Dunn reserved his objections until he
should hear some explanation of the resolu-
tion.
Mr.. Rice objected to the resolution, saying it
should be considered By the committee on
appro riations.
After some debate Mr.. Ellis's request for
unanimous consent to introduce his resolution
was defeated, and it was referred to the COM
mittee on resolutions.
Tie joint resolution was lost-yess 95, nays
115 but BY unanimous consent it was reintE o.
duced by Mr.. Ellis and referred to the CON-
p1ittee on appropriations
The following bills verb introduced ana
referred:
By Mr.. Morrill, of Kansas, providing for
uniform grade of rating for invalid pensions,
and abolishing all distinction on account of
pensions hereafter granted.
By Mr. Morse of Massachusetts,, providing
for transmission of correspondence by tele.
graph
By Mr.. Money OF Mississippi, to secure
chNsper correspondence by telegraph.
Tbs discussion of the bill relieving the
widow of the late Carlisle p. Patterson from
payment of special improvement taxes on
property in Washington consumed the greater
part of the day. The bill finally passed and
the House adjourned.