Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-03-03
PORfY-RICHTH CONGRESS.
First session.
HOUSE.
WAsHNGroN. haY


Mr.. Oates of Alabama, from the commit.
tee on public lands. reported resolution
calling on the secretary of the interior for
information relative TO the unauthorized fenc-
ing of public lands by individuals and corpor-
stions In the several States and Territories
adosted
Mr.. Randall of Pennsy from the
committee on rules. reported a resolution
setting apart the second Snd fourth Mondays
Of esch month, after the morning hour, Tor
the consideration Of district business; adopt
ed.
The speaker laid before the House a mes
,age from the President transmitting the re-
port OF the civil service commission: referred
Also q message from the President, trans
mitting report of the secretary Of state,
accompanied by the report OF committee ap-
pointed 10 investigate the asserted unhealth-
iness OF the swine products of the [ nited
States; referred.
Under the call of committees the following
bills were reported:
By Mr.. wilkins Of Ohio, from the commit
tee on banking and currency, TO provide for
the issue of circulating notes 10 national
banking assoeiations referred to the com
mittee of the whole.
Mr.. Buckner Of Missouri, submitted min
ority report
BY Mr. Regan Of Texas. from the commit
tee on commerce. to establish board of
Interstate commerce, and TO regulate snch
commerce. referred - Tt ;, So. ..
BY Nr. McAdoo of New Jersey, from the
committee on naval affairs for the PAYNE Mt
of bounties due to officers and sailors of yes
sells under the command OF Admiral Farragut.
Mr.. Reed of Maine, from the committee on
rules reported = resolution requiring the COM
mittee on printing, when propositions to print
additional copies of bills, etc. are reported TO
it, 10 report an estimate of the cost of the
same adopted.
The House at lilo went into committee
of the whole on the naval appropriation bill.
Mr.. Thomas of Illinois condemned the sys-
TEN of comforting relative rank on tho staff
of the navy, and ridiculed the idea of an ad.
miral or engineer beng ordered about by a
cadet of the line, whom variety of circum-
stances might place in command of the ship.
He quoted from the navy register to show
that the staff received . greater compensa-
ton than the line, who were responsible for
the ship, an incongruity which was wholly
unjustifiabls and inexcusable.
Mr.. Thomas then called attention to the
thoroughly helpless condition of the navy,
declaring that thsre was not q nation in the
world which could not send one or more war
vessels here and lay the great cities of the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts under submissione
The last Congress had started in the right
direction in building up navy. and four war
vessels would be completed by the first of
next December.
Mr.. Finnerty Of Illinois. said that the ap-
preparation committee seemed determined to
be economical in the weakest points in ma
tional structure. 1t made no difference who
la for tha
dition Of the navy; the fact remained event
ually that the United States had no navy. He
wanted to see the work begun by the 47th
Congress followed up by the 4Sth.
Mr.. Belford of Colorado twitted the demo-
cratic side with making pretense of econ
omy when the surplus In the treasury was
swelling and bursting like an English plum
pudding.
Mr.. Anderson of Kansas devoted his time
to attack the Western Union Telegraph Co.
At the commencement of his remarks Mr..
Milliken of Maine inquired whether speech
on the Western Union could be made when
the naval bill was under discussion, and if it
was allowable.
The chair ruled that Mr.. Anderson was in
order, having right to speak on any subject
while the House was in q committee of the
whole.
Mr.. Anderson also advocated the establish
ment of postal telegraph.
Mr.. Hiscock of New York closed the de-
bate and the committee rose.
On motion Of Mr.. Regan OF Texas, the in
tsr-State bill was made a continuing order
for March 18th.
On motion Of Mr.. Slocum, the shipping
bill was made continuing order for March
18th.
The House at AS adjourned,