Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-08

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan Z.
The Senate vas called to order 1t noon.
The chair presented letter from the post
master general transmitting the report Of the
commissioners appointed to investigate the
railway mail service
A pumber of petitions we're presented ask
ing for appropriation to pay the tobacco re-
hate provided BY Law and . petition from
American artists iu Rome asking for repeal
Of duties on works Of art
Mr.. Dolph presented petition of the citi-
Gems of Oregon and Washington PRAYING for
forfeiture Of the unearned land grant Of the
Oregon Central Railroad
A resolution presented by Mr.. Miller of
California. relating to the working of the
Chinese exclusion act, was agreed to - fol-
lows:
Resolred, That the secretary of the treasury
be directed to transmit to the Senate all doc
umentary information in his possession re-
latinR TO the execution of the act of Congress
entitled ian act to execute certain treaty
stipulations relating to the Chinese, approved
May 9th, 1882, together with all facts which
have come to bis knowledge concerning dim
culties which have been encountered by the
officers of the government in the enforce
ment of said act.
At the conclusion of the morning business,
the president pro tenn announced the unfinished
business 70 be the report of the COMMITTEES on
rules.
should be disposed of he would call up his
bill providing for the counting Of electoral
votes.
Mr.. Ingalls, had read . second time and
referred to the committee on pensions his
bill to amend the arrears of pension act
The Senate went into q committee Of the
whole and adopted with but few amendments
all new rules, except those on appropriations
and standing committees, which are reserved
for the present Among the amendments 10
one providing for . committee on fisheries.
On reporting the rules to the full Senate,
rule No. was taken up. 1t relates to the
Office Of president pro tenn and as proposed
gave that officer the power to designate .
substitute who may perform the duties OF
the chair for three days. The Senate then
went into executive session and when the
doors rsopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
After the reading of the journal. Mr.. Reed
of Maine offered the following, which was
adopted:
Whereas, 1t has been alleged that circulars
have been distributed in some of the depart
nents, asking for contributions for political
purposes in violation of the 18th section of
the civil service law.
Resolved, That the heads of departments
in which such distribution, if any has taken
place, be requested to inform the House of
the facts connected with such distribution.
Mr.. Townshend of Illinois, offered reso.
luton which was adopted, requesting the
President to furnish the House with informa-
ton relating to the exclusion of American
hog products from Germany and France.
Mr.. Randall Of Pennsylvania, under in
structions from the committee on rules, Of
fered . resolution adopting for twenty days
the rules of the 47th Congress; adopted.
Under call OF the States the following bills,
etc., were introduced and referred:
BY Mr.. Duncan of Arkansas, repeating the
tonnage duties On United States merchant
vessels and on certain foreign vessels.
b. Mr.. Rosecrans of California, to place
Geo. w. Getty on the retired list of the army
with the rank of major-Renersl.
BY Mr.. Henley Of California, to amend
the Chinese immigration act
By Mr.. Tulley of California, to prevent
the United States mails from being used to
circulate advertisements of noxious and dan.
gerous medicines, food and compounds.
BY Mr.. Summer of California, to fx and
establish maximum rate of freight fares on
the Union and Central Pacific railroads. II
provides that after sixty days from the pas
sage of this act, it shall be unlawful for
those companies to charge greater sum than
seventy per cent. of the lowest rates of freight
or the lowest prices of carriage existing on
the Sd of Dec, 1888
By Mr.. Eaton of Connecticut, reestablish.
ing the court of Alabama claims.
BY Mr.. TOwnshend Of Illinois, resolution
requesting the President to invite the CO.
operation of the governments of American
nations in securing the establishment of free
commercial intercourse between those nations
and An American Customs Union; also pro-
posing . constitutional amendment providing
for the election Of senator's by the people.
BY Mr.. Thomas of Illinois, granting pen
sions to all United States soldiers and sailors
in the late war who served thirty DAYS or
were in any engagement therin, and to the
widows of all soldiers deceased; also to regu-
late appointments and promotions in the
marine corps.
BY Mr.. Calkins of Indiana, to prohibit i'm
ports from foreign countries, which unjustly
discriminate against the products of the
United States.
By Mr.. Brown of Indiana, providing tina,
whenever any foreign government shall pro-
hibit or impose undue restriction of impor-
cattle or swine or products thereof, the Pres
ident shall BY proclamation prohibit impor-
tation into the United States of wines and
other liquors or such other merchandise of
such country as the President may designate
and this prohibition shall continue until the
prohibition of the foreign country 10 an
nulled.
By Mr.. Murphy Of Iowa, q resolution de-
claiming that Congress has no legal or con-
stitutional power to prohibit trade in malt or
alcoholic liquor.
By Mr.. Perkins OF Kansas. to place mo-
lasses and sugar on the free list; also appro-
priating annually $50, OO0, 900 to aid in the
support of common schools.
By Mr.. Weller Of Iowa, for the relief of
soldiers and sailors of the late war. 1t pro-
vidss for the issue Of $500. O00, 900 in treasury
notes with which to pay to the soldiers and
sailors the difference between money maid
them and gold, together with per cent. in
terest thereon; also providing that banking
associations shall every four months pay Z
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