Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-11
FORTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON Dee. 10.
Mr.. Sherman presided over the Senate
today.
The chair laid before the Senate an invita-
ton TO that body from the commissioner of
the New Orleans Exposition to participate IN
the opening of the exposition on the 10th
inst The communication was laid on the
table, that being the usual formal disposition
of such documents in the Senate when no
special or immediate disposition is demanded.
The House joint resolution for continuing
the work of the census bureau was laid before
the Senate, and on motion of Mr.. Hale was
read three times and passed.
Mr.. Blair submitted a resolution which
went over till tomorrow, instructing the COM
mittee on naval affairs to investigate Capt.
John Ericson's new system of naval defence,
especially his submarine gun and torpedo,
and inquire whether the same are about to be
purchased for the exclusive use of any for
eign power, and whether prudent provision
for national defence requires the purchase
of such inventions by the government
Mr.. Vest, on behalf of the committee on
commerce, requested that the committee be
discharged from the consideration of the inter-
oceanic ship railway bill on account of GER
tain charges in the concession from Mexico,
which made it necessary to withdraw the bill
bill ordered to be withdrawn from the files of
the Senate.
The Senate took up the Oregon Central
land forfeiture bill.
At 2 o'clock the bill was laid aside until
tomorrow and the Dakota bill taken up.
Mr.. Vest addressed the Senate in opposi-
ton to the admission of Dakota, and sent to
the desk and the secretary read a number of
petitions opposing the admission of the Ter
ritory, aud ascribing the desire for its admis-
sion to the ambition of politicians who wished
to go to Congress. He (Vest) said that the
project to divide the Territory was unneces-
sary There was no natural barriers of
mountain or river, of interest or sentiment to
divide the Territory or the people. The
engineering" of the admission scheme, Mr..
Vest ascribed TO Gov. Ordway, on whose
industry and solicitude it reflected great
credit. The trouble was that there were too
many statesmen in Dakota. They were given
to calling conventions, but was the United
States Senate body to record edicts of poll
tician junctas?
At the conclusion of Mr.. Vests remarks
later adjourned.
HOUSE.
The speaker laid before the House COM
munication from A. Nj. Scales. representa-
tive from the fifth district of North Carolina,
announcing that he had forwarded to the
governor of that State his resignation, to
take effect Dec. 80; laid on the table.
The House then. at II 10, went into COM
mttee of the whole on the military academy
appropriation bill. 1t appropriates 5000, III,
being $S3, 573 less than the estimates.
Mr.. Keifer of Ohio offered an amendment
providing that hereafter, all appointments to
the grade of second lieutenants in the army
shall be confined to graduates of the military
academy, and to meritorous non commits
stoned officers recommended for promotion
in the manner row provided bv law.
Mr.. Rosecrans of California suggested that
the amendment be modified by including
enlisted men, and by making the law inappli-
cable in time of foreign war
Mr.. Keifer accepted the Suggestions and
the amendment as modified was adopted
At l.l5 the committee on resolutions re-
ported the bill to the House.
A yea and nay vote having been demanded
on the Keifer amendment, it was defeated
SO to $50. The bill was passed.
The committee of the whole was discharged
from further consideration of the Presidents
annual message and a resolution adopted
distributing the message among the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Morrison offered resolution providing
for holiday recess from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5 !;
referred.
Mr.. Phelps If New Jersey introduced a
joint resolution appropriating 100000 to
enable the people of the United States to
participate in the exposition to be held at
Antwerp in 1885; referred.
Mr.. Cox of New York reported back from
the naval affairs resolution asking the Presi-
dent for information showing the authority of
the law by which certain commodores of the
navy had been given the rank of acting rear
admlrals when, as is alleged, no vacancy
existed to justify such action; adopted,
The House then resumed consideration of
the interstate commerce bill, but without
action the matter went over.
The speaker submitted message from the
President, showing the necessity of immedi-
ate legislation for the purpose of bringing
the statutes of the United States into con-
fOrmitv with the international regulations
for preventing collisions at sea, which has
been adopted by all the leading maritime
provinces of the world except this country
referred.
Adjourned