Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-11
FORTY-BIGnrR COyGRBSS.
First FessiOn.


ZEN Al Es
WASHINGTON. April 10.
Mr.. Cameron moved that when the Senate
adJourns today il be to Monday, tomorrow
being Good Friday; agreed to.
The chair laid before the Senate q COM
munication from the secretary of the treas
ury, transmitting information az TO the mis-
cellaneous expenses of the star route attor-
neys; also communication from the acting
secretary of the treasury, urging the necessitv
for new revenue cruiser for Aalaskan wa
ters' and recommending an appropriation of
sl15,OOO for the purpose; also a communica
ticn from the secretary of the navy, showing
the number of enlistments of the navy during
the late war, with the States TO which they
we're credited.
Mr.. Miller, of California, presented as q
memorial resolution of the legislature of Cal
ifornia, urging the adoption by Congress of
the Sumner postal telegraph bill.
Bills were introduced by Mr.. Platt (by re-
quest) for the better protection of citizens in
rights Of property, and to punish infringers
on patents.
The Senate resumed the consideration of
the naval bill, and several of the amendments
recommended by the Senate committee was
agreed to without debate. On reaching the
amendment clause appropriating S400, 900 TO
complete the ordnance and outfit of three
new cruisers and one dispatch boat, Mr..
Beck moved to amend the amendment by
making the amount S5O0,000. Mr.. Beck's
amendment, and then the committees amend
ment, were agreed to. On reaching the
amendment of the committee that provides
for the construction of the new cruisers, a
bill for the construction of which the Senate
passed some weeks ago, Mr.. Beck raised q
point in the amendment which he supposed
was new legislation, and not in order. The
chair ruled it was in order, and was not
in general legislation. The decision was
commented on by Messrs. Bayard, Hale.
Mcpherson and Beck.
Mr.. Beck said that according to the ruling
of the chair, we could build hundred cruis
ers by an amendment to an appropriation bill
as easily as we could build seven. We might
as well put in the bill a further provision
that John Roach should be the builder, be-
cause he would get the building-that would
be in order. He supposed the general well
fare on the clause would cover the provision.
Then Roach would contribute $4,000 to the
campaign.
Mr.. Jones of Florida said that to hear it
was humilating to him. it was humilating to
hear it parsded before the monarchial govern
ment of the world that the American govern
ment was in such condition that it could not
trust its officers including the President, to
take step in the direction of building the
public force. This was no question of party
Whether the party in power were democrat
or republican, there were some things essen
tial to public interest that must be done. Mr.
Jones knew of only the President of the
United States in this matter. 1t was to him
the power was given. He (Jones) recog-
nized in him an incumbent of the highest
office in the world. What that officer in
formed the Senate, the interests of the people
of the United States reQuired-that some
thing should be done toward putting the navy
in condition befitting the dignity of the
nation.
Mr.. Jones was not going to refuse to listen
on the ground that the President was repub-
lican. How could . government be main
tanned by such a course? If an officer did
not do his duty, let him be impeached and
turned out of power; but above all things let
not the interests of the republic take harm.
Pending the debate on the amendment pro-
viding for the construction of steel cruisers.
the Senate went into executive session, and
when the doors were reopened adjourned un-
til Monday next.
Mr.. Eaton, from the committee on laws
relating to the election of the President and
Vice President, reported back the Senate
bill on that subject, with an amendment in
the nature of a substitute; referred to the
House calendar.
Mr. Mills. from the committee on ways and
means, reported bill amending the statis-
tic. in reference to the immediate transporta-
ton of dutiable goods; referred to the House
calendar.
On motion of Mr.. Talbot. the Senate bill
was passed, further to suspend the operation
of section 1854, revised statutes, in relation
to the Guano Islands.
Then the contest over the public building
measures was resumed, Stockslager moving
to 90 into committee for the consideration of
the measures.
Mr.. Belford emphatically demanded the
call of the House, and served notice upon
Mr. Warner, that as the fight had begun, 1t
would be continued.
During the progress of the roll call quo
rum was had and MIR. Warmers motion to
adjourn was voted down.
After a skirmish of a quarter of an hour,
the motion of Mr.. Stockslager was agreed to,
and at I2. Is the House went into committee
of the whole.
The bill appropriatiny 500, 900 for public
building at New Albany. Ind, was vigorously
opposed The bill. with several others, was
reported to the House favorably.
Without action the House adjourned.