The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-12
FORTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Mar. H.
Mr.. Allison presented as a memorial the
joint resolution of the legislature of the State
of Iowa urging that the national government
avail Itself of power granted by tue constitu-
ton to regulate commerce between the states
and praying Congress to pass laws in pursuance
of that power for regulation of railroad fares
and freights at such figures as will allow
reasonable amount and no more to be actually
extended.
Bills were introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Miller of New York providing for
suspension of coinage of the standard silver
dollar for two years and issue of one and two
dollar treasury notes.
By Mr.. Blair, to prohibit the manufacture
and sale of Intoxicating liquors in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
the military academy appropriation bill, and
moved non-concurrence in the House amend
ments and appointments of committee of
conference. Agreed to.
At the conclusion of the morning business
the Senate on motion OF Mr.. Miller of Cali
fornia went into executive session on the
Mexican treaty.
When the doors were reopened the Senate
adjourned.
On motion of Mr.. Dingley of Ma inc, the bill
was passed to change the name of the West
Watervile National Bank of Oakland, Me-,
to the Messalonske National Bank.
Mr.. Morrison reported favorably from the
ways and means committee on the bill to re-
duce import duties and war tariff taxes,) the
new tsriff bill,) accompanied with writtea
report. Mr.. Mckinley submitted the views
of the minority.
The House at 10 o. m , went into commit
tee on the post.ofice Office appropriation bill,
general debate to be limited to three hours
Mr.. Bingham, of Pa. took the floor in op-
position 60 the bill. II republicans had been
guilty of too much economy in this branch of
the service when in power, which he denied
it was an example to be showed and not to be
pointed at as q precedent 1t was the purpose
of democrats 10 go before the public and state
that they had cut down the expenses of the
post office departments, but if they did so, it
was without due regard to the demands of
the service.
Mr.. Holman of Ind, defended the bill
against adverse criticism, and denied that it
in any way tended to cripple the service
Mr.. SkinDer of New York, criticized the bill
because it struck at nine of the proudest cit.
les Of the country in reducing the salaries of
postmasters; because it struck at 159 progress
sive cities by the cripDling of the free delivery
system and because it contracted the railway
mail system.
Mr.. Townshend of Illinois deprecated the
bringing in of politics to the consideration Of
a bill of this character. He compared the bill
with the bill of last year to show that the
Republican party In the last House had made
poor pretence of economy in order to throw
the necessity of passing deficiency appropria-
ton upon the present Congress. Mr.. Towns
hend then proceeded to 9rraign the Republic
can party for past offences IN the administra-
tion of the government for the last fifteen
years. No American citizen could read the
record of that party without his face crimson
ing with shame for his country.
Mr.. Beliora of Colorado thought that the
gentleman who attempted to censure the Re-
publican party should remember his own party
had not the courage to consider either the wool
tariff or whiskey bill.
The bill having been read by sections, Mr..
Horr of Michigan moved to increase to $12,-
100000 the appropriation for compensation of
| pcstmasters. Pending action the committee
| rose.
On motion of Mr.. Findlay of Maryland, the
bill was passed permitting the admission to
! American registry of any foreign vessel which
has been either wrecked or damaged within
the navigable waters of the United States or
| on the high seas, provided the vessel shall
have been purchased by a citizen of the
! United States and repaired in the United
States at cost equal 20 double the amount Of
the value of the vessel when purchased.
| Adjourned.