Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-07
FORTY-BIGRTR CONGRESS.
First Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb 6.

WASHINGTON. Feb 6.
The chair laid before the Senate a COM
munication from the secretary of tine interior
transmitting information as to mortgages ex-
ecuted by the Texas Pacific Railroad COM
pany, on lands granted it by Congress.
On consideration of Mexican titles, Mr..
Miller of California. from the committee on
foreign relations, reported tavorably bill to
provide for executing the treaty on stipula-
tions relating to the Chinese; calendar
Mr. Morrill, introduced bill to provide for
the erection of a public building at Mont
pelier, VT.
Mr. Plumb offered a resolution directing
the secretary of war to report to the Senate
the number of pay stations, and the duties of
civilian engineers employed by the govern
ment; also the stations and duties of engineer
officers of the army; agreed to.
The Senate then took up the bill providing
for the completion of the capitol terraces and
stairways connected Herewith.
Mr. Morrill, said the bill appropriated
sl77, $50. based upon the plan proposed in
1874. and upon which plan $4,000 bad al
ready been expended on the north and
south sides and front of the capitol. When
the plan should be completed, he said, it
would make all parts of the capitol grounds
harmonious, substituting a marble way for
an earthway approach to the capitol, and
making the base of the capitol fit in with the
appearance of the structure and dome. The
new arrangement will also afford much ad-
ditional accommodation, now much needed.
Ten new committee rooms would be provided
and a large number of other rooms for the
storage of documents, etc The completion
would be effected in two years, and although
probably not over one-half of the appropria-
ton will be required this year, it was neces
sary to make the whole appropriation now in
order that contracts may be made. After
debate the bill was passed.
The Senate went into executive session
and adjourned.
The House went into committee on the
"Pleuro pneumonia" bill.
Messrs. Lanham and Reagan of Texas,
and Hunt of Louisiana, opposed the bill, de-
nouncing the remedy proposed as worse than
the disease and claiming many provisions
unconstitutional.
Mr.. Eaton of Conn, also opposed the meas
ure upon constitutional grounds.
Mr.. Anderson OF Kansas, claimed that &C.
ton was necessary to preserve the entire
animal industry from humiliation.
The discussion was continued at length by
Messrs. Peters and Perkins of Kansas. Law.
renee of Penn, Cannon and Rowell of Kan
sas, and Nutting of New York in favor of
and bv Messrs. Cox of New York and Gibson
of West Virginia against it. The argument
of the opponents was chiefly against the con-
stitutionality OF the bill, holding that the
matter was one which belonged to the States
and not to the government
Mr., Gibson, while disclaming any refiec-
ton upon the committee, said the bill was a
tI.xT III
great wrong upon the people. 1t proposed
to create force of officers who should take
the place of collectors of internal revenue
and search every mans farm, and he was
utterly astonished that the committee had
put such unlimited power in the hands of
subordinate officers, and opened to such the
wide doors of the treasury.
Pending further action the committee rose
and the House adjourned.