Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-18
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
FITZ JOHN PORTER CASE IN THE
SENATE.
THURMAN AMENDMENT BILL IN TIE
HOUSE
The Senate.


TIE FITZ JOHN PORTER case.
After the reading of the journal, which contained
an allusion to the Fitz John Porter case the chair
stated that no further action that bill was neces-
Sary than to have the action Of the House an
nOunced to the Senate.
Mr. Conger said there was doubt In the minds of
some as 10 whether the provision relating to pay
secured the object in view, which was to give no
pay from the GATE of Porter's dismissal till the date
OF MS reanp0intlnent by the President and con-
nrmed by the Senate under the present bill. That
provision was carefully and shreWdly worded 1t
had not been dreamed two years ago that the bill
would pass at all. and Senators might be excused
Tor not scrutinzing this provision very closely. Mr.
Cohger asked for the reading OF the clause referred
TO- ana lt was read:-"Provided, that said FiZ John
Porter shall receive no pay, compensation or allow
ence whatsoever prior to his appointment under
this act"
Mr.. Conger asserted that fair construction OF
these words merely prevented any payment being
hlaue prior TO the new appointment, leaving an
apparent right to claim the back pay when the
appointment shall have been made He did not
mink this bill would prevent Porter from getting
Mr.. Sherman enterea hfs caveat against the con-
StfGction put ON these words by the Senator from
hilchlgan. The language he said, was as clear as
could not receive any pay except under the new
appointment by the President and confirmation by
MIR: COnger insisted that that was only the
opinion or the Senator from Ohio (Mr. SheIman).
TIE ElOuse.
DEADLOCK ON THE P. O. APPROPRIATION BILL.
A further conference was ordered on the post
office appropriation bill, and Mr.. Townshend, OF
Ills; Mr.. Holman, of Ind, and Mr.. Horr OF Mich,
We're appointed on the part OF the House.
MI Miller PA offered as question Of privilege,
resolution declaring James r. Chalmers entitled
to the seat from the second district OF Mississippi
MI Thompson (hy.) raised the question OF con-
slieratlon, and the House refused to consider it
n0W-yeaS, Is; nays, 123
The Oh1o contested election case OF Campbell and
Moey being then called up, the question OF consd-
Grafton was raised by Mr. Thompson, OF Kentucky,
and the House also refused to consider 1t.
The House then proceeded to the consideration Of
tne Pacific railroad bin, known as
TIE THURMAN AMENDMENT BILL
The bill extends the provisions of the Thurman
act to the Kansas Pacific company, the Sioux City
and Pacific company, and to the central branch of
the Union Pacific 1t allows the investment of the
SINKING funds Of all the companies in their own
nrSt mortgage bonds. or any United States bonds
OF securities, Oh their application to the eXten-
guiShment OF the interest on the subsidy bonds:
IL requires one-half Of the annual compensa-
tion for government services to b. carried to the
sinking iund, and also the annual payment into
the sinking fund Of the following sums: BY the
central Pacific company and the Union Pacific
company, S2,ctU.ooO each; by the Kansas Pacific
company, $500 000; by the central branch OF the
Union Pacific, S150.0O0 by the Sioux City and Pa
eillc company, si5o,oO, {or as much OF such sums
as VIII make the total annual payment to the
sinking fund equal to 35 per cent OF the net earn
ihgs OF the respective conpaniesl In case the
1due OF the net earnings is Insufficient to pay the
interest on the first mortgage bonds the amount
!, necessary tor that purpose may be remltted.
Capitol Topics.
TIE MYSTERIOUS QUARTER MILLION APPROPRIATION.
Messrs. Curtin. Eaton and Phelps, of the House
1OreiSn affairs committee, assembled in the appro-
pr1atons committee rooms this morning to confer
with the subcommittee OF the appropriations COM
m1ttee concerning the Senate amendment to the
consular diplomatic bill with relation to the neu-
trallty act. The Secretary OF State was present
also. with the papers relating to the matter ready
to give full explanations; but Mr. TOwnshend was
the only member OF the appropriations committee
VINO put IN an appearance, SO there ad djOurn-
ment taken until tomorrow. The matter is still
Velled In the most profound secrecy, and tine dspO-
stlon seems TO be TO keep 1t from the public alto
gether.
THE W. H. ENGLISH INVESTIGATION.
Ihe special committee appointed to investigate
the charges against Hon. w. II. English Of lobby
Ing for his son on the floor Of the House began its
work yesterday with the examination OF Messrs
WeHer, Pusey and jeremiah Wilson, but nothing OF
interest was developed.
PROGRESS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILLS IN THE
HOUSE.
The deficiency appropriation bill passed the
House yesterday afternoon, all OF the amendments
reported having been agreed to except that striking
out the proviso as to the compensation Of fourth
class pOStmaSterS The vote on striking 1t out was
taken 10y yeas and nays, and resulted-yeas, 15I;
nays ST. the result being In the interest of the pOt
masters. The two remaining appropriation bills
the fertilization and sundry civl-will probably be
reported TO the House this week.
THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CAUCUS.
At the caucus OF the democratic members OF the
HOUSE last evening resolution was adopted
urging upon the House "to press fast as possible
TO conclusion the appropriation bills, and that
we Will take them up In preference to any other
measures" motion to urge the passage In the
House, OF BIZ to repeal the tax ON tob ,cco was
lost, as was also a motion to make the order OF
business after the passage OF the approximation
bills, the bills from the committees On public lands
and invalid pensions.
PACIFIC RAILROAD BILLS IN THE HOUSE.
The House yesterday passed the bill reported
from the committee On Pacific railroads to require
railroad companies to get out patents for their
lands, so that they would be subject to taxation
The Thurman sinking fund amendment was also
considered, but hot finally acted upon.
MINOR NOTES.
BY an agreement made in the Senate Yesterday
vote Is 10 be taken on the Utah bill at D. m to
day.
Mr.. Hampton reported favorably in the Senate
yesterday, from the committee military affairs
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway company's line to a
point on the military lands at Fortress Monroe Va
The democratic convention for the thirteenth
congressional district or Illinois renOminatpd VIM
NJ. Springer yesterday by acclamation. This Is Mr.
Sprlnger'S sixth nomination.
Representative Boyle, OF Pennsylvania has re-
cetyed the endorsement OF all three OF his counties
and will probably be returned to Congress next
term.
The House concurrent resolution permitting the
exhibition In the Capitol building OF a model of
Bartnods statue OF liberty was passed IN the Sen
ate yesterday.