The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-08
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.


WASHINGTON May Z.
The chair laid before the Senate message from
the President transmitting copy of the report of
the report of the Utah commission.
message also laid before the Senate rela-
ting to the Worlds Exposition at New Orleans.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill, which was refer
red to place Ulysses S. Grant on the retired list OF
the army.
The Senate resumed consideration of the ship
ping bill.
Mr.. Vest opposed the tonnage tax ana moved
substitute which Mr.. Frye accepted abolishing all
tonnage dues on United States vessls entering
United States ports and only retaining such dues on
manner against the United States providing that
nothing contained therein should impair the force
of any treaty The section for compensation for
ocean carriage OF mails gave rise to considerable
discussion. 1t permits the payment of sum not
exceeding 81 mile each way of actual miles run
for carrying United States mail between any port
OF the United States and any foreign ports but the
service shall only be performed under contract with
the lowest responsible bidder and the aggregate
amount to be paid for such service by the United
States from foreign service during the the year pre-
ceding the contract less amount paid for such
carriage on foreign vessels.
Mr.. Mcpherson said he saw no reason for paying
vessels Tor coming back since the return voyage
they would be bringing letters of f'reign govern
ment and not of the United States. He moved to
amend accordingly.
a long debate followed on the subject of subsidies
and tariff generally.
Mr.. Morgan gave notice that tomorrow he would
move an amendment providing that foreign ships
be admitted to American e. gistry Oh the payment
of 81 per ton for iron and steel vessels and SO
per ton for wooden vessels such vessels to be used
IN either the foreign or coastwise trade.
Mr.. Frye obtained unanimous consent that de-
Date on the bill shall close tomorrow at O'Clock
Adjourned
HOUSE.
In the House the French spoliation claims bill
was reported and referred.
Mr.. Stewart of Texas, from the committee On
foreign affairs. reported bill authorizing the ap-
pointment of three commissioners to visit the prn-
cipal countries of South and Central America and
Mexico for the purpose of collecting information
looking to the strengthening of friendly relations
between the United States and all other American
nationalities 1t was referred to the committee on
the whole.
Mr.. Rosecfars of California from the committee
on military affairs reported resolution directing
the committee 20 investigate the present manage
ment of the Soldiers Home. 1t was put on the cal
endar.
Mr.. Woodward Of Wisconsin from the committee
on the library reported joint resolution for the
completion of the monument to Mary Washington
the mother of George Washington, 1t was referred
to committee of the whole.
The river and harbor appropriation bill was re-
ported and it was ordered printed and re-commit-
ted.
The House then proceeded to the consideration of
BUSINESS on the Speakers table. The Senate
amendment 10 the House bill repeating. the iron
clad oath was, on motion of Mr.. Cox 'concurred in
The next bill the table was thai for the relief
of Fitz John Porter with the senate amendments.
Mr. Keifer moved to refer the bill to the military
committee.
Mr.. Bedford thought that the motion for reference
was steaithy attempt to do injustice to a man
who had already been treated unjustly according to
the testimony of Gen. Grant.
Mr. Slocum of New YORK. moved to non-concur
in the Senate amendments and Mr.. Bayne of Penn
syivania moved concurrence. He said that the
the bill as passed by the Senate substantially
bill as passed by the House. The Senate had
only modified the measure by making more explicit
the proposition that it should not carry back pay
Messrs. Cutcheon of Michigan and Mr.. Hiscock
opposed the bill on constitutional grounds. Mr.
efer of Ohio, spoke in severe terms of Fltz John
Porter.
Mr.. Slocum said that he was glad the gentleman
from Ohio had attacked Porter. Gen. Porter would
regard what that gentlem au said gainst him as
compliment and it would be so regarded BY the
country. He (Slocum) had only beeu surprised that
the gentleman from Ohio had not summoned Charles
Garfield and Elder to sustain his cause in this in
stance as had done few days ago. (Applause on
the Democratic side and Misses from the Republi-
cans.)
Mr.. Keifer replied he had supposed that the
gentleman would get down to something other in
the peculiar exigencies Of The case of Fitz John
Porter, which was beneath the dignity of the mem
Der.
After further debate motion to refer the bill
was lost, and the Senate amendments non-concurred
in.
The Senate amendments were non-concurred in to
the bill establishing bureau of animal industry.
A resolution was adopted announcing the inten-
ton of the House to attend in a body the unwilling
of the statue of Chief Justice Marshall on Saturday
next.
Adjourned.