The Portland daily press., 1884-03-11
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.


WASHINGTON, Mar. 10.
Mr.. Bryard submitted the following pre-
amble and resolution, which he asked to have
presented and lie on the table. He stated that
ne would take an early occasion to call it up:
Whereas, By the 9th article in amendment of
the constitution it is provided that the alton
in the constitution of certain rights shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained BY
the people; and by the 10th article in an amend
not delegated to the United States by the constitu
ton nor prohibited by it 10 States reserved to
States respectively, or to the people; therefore
Resolved, That the committee on judiciary be, and
they are hereby instructed to report soon as
practicable to the expediency of amending the
constitution SO as more fully to accomplish the oh
jest of the foregoing provisions and secure to the
States respectively, or to the people, powers
ed as aforesaid, and more effectually to preserve
federal principle and nature of the government by
maintaining due limitations upon its powers, and
to that end provide that Congress shall not have
power to make anything but gold and silver coin
legal tender for payment of debts nor pass any law
impairiDg the obligation of contracts.
Mr.. Garland submitted a joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the constitution,
namely, Article 10th, that that portion of the
public debt of the United States represented
by notes issued under authority of law, with
the quality of lawful money and as a legal ten
der for payment of debts, shall never exceed
the sum of $4,000, 900, unless the bill or bills
providing for such increase of issue shall re-
ceive the concurrence of two-thirds of each
House of Congress.
Bills were introduced as follows:
By Mr. Bayard to create and establish pilot
service of the United States and to regulate
pilotage of vessels in ports, harbors and along
the sea cost of the United States.
By Mr.. Aldrich, to amend section 4434 Of the
Revised Statues concerning commerce, naviga-
tion and steam vessels.
The chair laid before the Senate the bill pro-
VidiDg for bureau of statistics, the pending
question being the amendment proposed by
Mr.. Aldrich to increase the salary of the chief
of such bureau from $2500 to $500. This
amendment was agreed to after some discussion
and further amendments
The Senate then went into executive session,
and when the doors were reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
The committee on appropriations reported
back the military academy appropriation bill
with the Senate amendments, recommending
concurrence in the amendment providing that
any cadet dismissed for hazing shall not be
eligible to reappointment, and non-concurrence
in the other amendments.
Mr.. Potter of New York offered bill pro-
posing the following constitutional amend
ment:
The legislative powers granted to Congress by The
Constitution shall not be construed to include the
power to pass any law making anything but gold
and silver coin tender in payment Of debts except
after a declaration of war, when the public safety
may require it.
Bills were introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Rosecrans of California, to incor-
porate the Yellowstone Park Railroad Com
pany.
Bv Mr.. Harrison of PENNSYLVANIA, to create
the pilot service Of the United States, and to
regulate the pilotage of vessels in ports and
harbors along the sea coast of the United
States. 1t provides that pilotage of vessels
arriving at or departing from any port or har-
Dor of the United States shall be under ex-
elusive control of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, who shall have power to originate, equip
and maintain the service.
BY Mr.. Tucker of Virginia, (by request)
granting copyright to newspapers
By MIR. Deuster of Wisconsin, resolution
recting that the United States minister to
Germany has been assaied by semi-oficial
newspapers at Berlin, and calling ON the
Secretary of State for copies Of any communi-
cation and correspondence which he may have
on this subject
The House then proceeded to consider meas
ures relating TO the District OF Columbia, and
after the passage of the bill establishing stand
ard time, the District business was temporarily
laid aside to receive message from the Presi-
dent, and Mr.. Guenther of Wisconsin asked
that it be Immediately read, though Mr. Cas-
sdy of Nevada suggested, in an undertone,
that it might be better to wait until the new
cruisers were completed.
The message was mere transmittal, with
out comment, of the documents received from
the Secretary of State relative to the resolu
tion OF the House on the death of Edward
Lasker
Mr.. Hiscock of New York, Immediately Of
which were referred to the committee on for
eign affairs:
Whereas, 1t has come to the knowledge o.
the House that a communication from it tt
the parliament of the German empire, entire
ly friendly in intent, respectful in character
and sent through the regular channels of in
ternational communication, has been arbitra-
rily intercepted and returned by the person
now holding the position of Chancellor Of the
German empire; therefore, be it
Resolved, That this House cannot but ex
press its surprise and regret that it should be
even temporarily within the power of single
and too powerful subject to interfere with suct
simple, natural and spontaneous expression o.
kindly feeling between two great nations, anC
thus to detracJ from the position and prestige
of crown Oh one hand and the rights of man
datoFes of the people on the other
Resolved, That this House does hereby re-
iterate its expression of sincere regret at the
death of Edward Lasker and its sympathy
with the Parliament of the German EN- pire, O
which for many yaers he was a distinguished
member.
Several District of Columbia bills were pass
ed, and the House then adjourned.