The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-01-17
FORTY-EYGHTH CONGRESS-.
DENATE.

1n Ine senate TINS forenoon, large numoer
OF petitions bearing several thousand sigma
lures Of members of the WomaD's Christian
Temperance Union and other societies and Cit
Zens of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New
York, and other States, were presented by
Senators Blair, Dawes, Platt, Sherman, Jack
son, and others. Referred to the committee on
education and labor.
A message was received from the President,
transmitting the correspondence relating to
the discriminating duties between the United
States and Cuba and Porto Rico.
Mr.. Plumb reported from the committee on
public lapds bill restoring to the public do
main the lands granted to the Iron Mountain
Railroad Company, the road not having been
built on the line contemplated. The bill was
passed.
Mr.. Miller of New York, presented memo
rial from the committee of the National Stock
Convention at Chicago. In connection with
the memorial, Mr.. Miller presented bill en-
titled "a bill to provide means for the sup
preston and extirpation Of pleuro-pneumonia
and other contagious diseases among domestic
animals" which, he said, contained the views
of the Cattle Breeders Convention. The bill
was read second time, and referred to the
committee on agriculture.
Mr., Plumb, by request, submitted joint
resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution prohibiting the manufacture or
sale OF Intoxicating liquors In the United
States Referred.
At the conclusion of the morning hour, the
Senate took up and after a slight amendment,
adopted the joint rules; also Mr.. Hoar's bill,
providing for the count Of the electoral vote.
The Senate then went into executive session.
On reaching the rule which prohibits the
sale of spirituous or malt liquors in the Capt.
tol buildings, Mr.. Bayard stated that while en-
tirely favoring the exclusion of spirituous
liquors, he did not favor the exclusion of the
less dangerous and entirely wholesome malt
liquors. He believed the new rule was the
old.
ing the rule unless it was insisted on. There
should be nothing like concealment about the
matter.
Mr. Frye, chairman of the committee on
rules, said the cnly difference between the new
rule and the old was in the present addition of
the word strictly" which the committee had
added, because the old rule has not been en-
forced. have seen, said Mr.. Frye, restau-
rant of one of the houses become an open, no.
torious. low, miserable groggery. have also
seen man with pantaloons inside his boots,
and with coarse blouse on, standing at the
bar of the restaurant of one house of Congress,
drinking the miserable whiskey out OF u cup
and had seen whiskey ordered again and again
and called "tea," and brought in and served in
a cup and saucer. Anybody, whether mem
Der ofsCopgress or otherwise, can sit down order
"tea," and drink it out of a cup.
MIR. Bayard called for the yeas and nays on
the adoption of the amendment, but the diff
ferences adjusted without a vote, by
slIlAlHS Out Inc WOroS 'SplrttuOu5 anu ualtJ
and inserting the word "intoxicating." The
rule was then adopted, and the Senate after
wards adjourned.
HOUSE.
Owing to some confusion which existed in
the tally list of the vote to adjourn yesterday
the roll call was read in full this morning and
the reading of the journal was not completed
until 1890.
Mr. Hatch of Missouri, chairman of the
committee on agriculture, reported back res.
olution calling on the Secretary Of the Treas
ury for information in regard to the number OF
quarantine stations established for the care
and shelter of imported cattle. Adopted.
Also resolution requesting the President to
transmit to the House copies of correspond
ence had by the State department with all
foreign governments on the subject of impor-
tries.
Mr.. Potter of New York introduced and the
House referred to the Committee on Banking
and Currency a bill to maintain the currency
and prevent an Injurious fuctuation by the
issue OF 2 per cent bonds and their deposit as
security for national bank notes. The bill also
proposes to remit taxation Oh circulating bank
Dotes when secured by deposit Of these two
per cent bonds.
Mr.. Rice of Massachusetts, from the COM
mittee of foreign affairs resolution calling on
the Secretary Of State for information wheth-
er Spain has heretofore paid the interest stip-
ulated and the one per cent on the nominal
value or rent provided for in the treaty of Nov.
/, 1884. Adopted.
Mr.. Dorsheimer of New York introduced
bills which were referred, providing that the
marine hospital service be supported solely at
the expense of the United States and fixing in
spection fees at five dollars for each steam yes
sci of 100 tons and under and for each addition
al ton cents.
Mr.. Stone of Massachusetts offered resolu-
ton directing the committee on rules TO in
int
chine into the House for the purpose of facili-
tatiug the counting of votes. Referred.
The House went into committee of the whole
on the Mississippi river appropriation bill.
Mr.. Skinner of New York opposed the bill
declaring there was nothing in it which had
for its object the improvement Of navigation of
the Missippi river.
Mr.. White of Kentucky objected to the bill
because the House did not have before it the
report of the commission. This measure was
recommended by the President in special
message and for that reason the House was
asked to pass the bill.
During the last Congress the President had
vetoed the river and harbor bill and that veto
was not in the interest of cheap transportation
but in the interest of railroad corporations If
he expected to control the Chicago convention
on the Sd of June by bidding for Southern
votes by recommending this Mississippi River
job he had better look little sharp.
Mr.. Breckenridge OF Arkansas said Of the
commission that they were with empty hands.
The mississippi river could destroy in few
hours an outlay of years of toll and millions
Of money.
Mr.. Holman Of Indiana offered an amend
ment providing that the money, except SO
much as is necessary to protect the works in
progress on other portions of the river from
waste and injury, be expended in the continue
uance and completion of the works on some
one reach and now in progress of improve
ment
Mr.. Ellis of Louisiana opposed the amend
ment and Mr.. Hiscock of New York supported
it.
Mr.. Willis of Kedtucky inquired Of Mr.. Hol-
man whether he would vote for the bill if the
amendment was agreed to.
After some hesitation, Mr.. Holman said he
did not think that a proper question.
Mr. Eaton of Iowa said he would vote for
the bill because it was for the improvement of
navigation, not for the reclamation of property
along its banks.
Mr Holman's amendment was lost-1OO to
1872.
A similar amendmentby Mr.. Hiscock was
also rejected 104 to no. and the COMMITTEES
rose and reported the House and Senate bill
TO the House.
Mr.. Hiscock voted to commit the Senate bill
to the committee on rivers and harbors with
instructions to report back with addition his
amendment offered in committee of the whole
and pending vote the House adjourned.