The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-01
FoRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.


.r WARRINGTON, Feb. 20.
Mr.. Ransom, from the committee on appro-
priations. reported back adversely the joinl res
oiution introduced by him last Monday and
referred TO thss committee, providing for an
| appropriation TO aid sufferers by the great
storms in Southern States.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Voorhees, was
not agreed to, instructing the Library commit
tee TO consider the propriety of purchase and
printing by Congress of the valuable collection
OF manuscripts left by jackson to Amos Ken
9aii for the purpose of preparing them for pub
Mr.. Plumb offered resolution which was
agreed to, calling on the Secretary OF State to
furnish to the Senate all information in his de-
parfment, whether political or, other compli-
cstlons which are likely to occur in the near
iutares ca'cnl lated to influence the market val
ue OF American products cost.
ne ~enate resumed consideration of the bill
TO authorize the construction OF steel cruisers
ior The navy. The question immediately be-
Tor tne Senate was the amendment of Mr.
Jones OF Florida,to the amends dment OF M,aSew-
Ell. Sewells amendment provides for build
| ing the ships at one or more of the government
navy yards, while Mr.. Jones' amendment pro
sloes tnat tnir building shall be apportiObed
! among the different navy yards.
Mr.. Hale opposed giving the work to the
navy yards aud Messrs. Riddlebsrger and Nor
| gan favored it.
Alter considerable debate both amendments
were rejected and the amen ment offered by
mr.. Hale, embodying in the bill by direct
woros the substance of the acts of 1882-83 to-
ge.her With progiso that bids be accepted not
ohiy from builders who may now be ready to
nuiid vessels, but who may be able to satisfy
the Secretary of the Navy that they can in
three months after making of the contract be
ready to do so. The bill was then passed, 3S to
13.
Adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
IT.. NJ "a 4.
the relief of the heirs of Count Pulaski. Refer
red.
On motion of Mr.. Hunt of Louisiana the
shipping bill was made a special order for the
18Th of March.
The House then went into committee on
the private calendar. TIE first bill was that
to authorize the retirement OF Alfred Pleasan-
ton as major general. The bill was advocated
by Messrs. Byrne of Pennsylvania, Rosecrans
OF California and Maginuis of Montana. The
opposition was led BY Messrs. Steele, Sto ck-
slayer and Broame of Indiana and Mcmillan of
Pennsylvania who contended that it wou Id be
establishing dangerous precedent to place
on the retired list man who had voluntarily
resigned from the army and gone into private
life.
MIR. White OF Kentucky opposed the bill and
in the course OF his remsrks said that Gen
Pleasantou though deserving was no more de-
serving than less honored men who served in
the ranks.
Mr.. Rosecrans of California inquired whether
the gentlemen belonged to the latter class
Mr.. White replied that he did not, but even
though he were not an interested party, as
some persons seemed to be, he could cast an
intelligent vote upon the measure
Mr.. Rosecrans in low tone said something
casting doubt about the gentleman's mental
ability TO do SO.
Mr.. White--Tf you mean to insult me you
had better retire to the land grant il. California
where You have got unjustly thousands of
acres which belonged to the soldiers, and
which but for that would have gone to them.
Mr.. RosecraDs was walking away when this
remark was made, but subsequently being in.
formed of what had been said, he asked Mr..
White TO repeat 1t and say what he meant by it.
Mr. White-The record will show what /
said and stand on the record
Il want to knowit now. right here, W here
you are responsible" exclaimed Mr.. Rose
Grams.
This colloquy coming out of Mr.. Whites
time, that gentleman refused to yield further
Mr.. Steele offered an amendment providing
that all soldiers of the late war who are suffer-
iDg from total disability shall also be placed on
the retired list as brigadier generals. Ruled
out of order.
Mr.. Cutcheon's amendment providing that
Gen. Pleassnton shall be retired with the
rank OF colonel was adopted, and the bill as
amended laid aside for favorable report
Mr.. bseele OF Indiana moved to recommit
the Dill to the committee ON military affairs
with instructions to report back the bill placing
on the retired list with the rank OF coonels ali
soldiers of the late war who are suffering total
disability.
A point of order was raised against the mo-
tion also, but pending decision several dilatory
motions were made. and roll calls consumed
the time until O'Clock.
The Dost-otice approximation bill was report
ed and referred to the committee of the whole.
The House then took recess until z 80, the
evening session to be for consideration OF the
pension bill.
AZ the evening session twenty pension bills
were passed. Adjourned.