Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-11
18th COngress---Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. il

SENATE-An invitation to attend the open ing of the New Orleans exposition was laid before the Senate
 The House resolution authorizing the su- perintendent to continue the work of the tenth census until the appropriation already made is exhausted was passed.
 Mr Blair introduced resolution instruct ing the Committee of Naval Affairs to in- quire into the system of naval defense in- vented by Captain John. Ericsson especially with regard to his submarine gun, and whether the same was about to be purchased by any naval power; laid over.
 On motion of MT. Miller, of California, the Committee on Foreign Relations, which has under consideration the Spanish treaty, was authorized to sit during the sessions of the Senate.
 MT. Slater, by unanimous consent, called up the bill forfeiting the lands granted for the construction of the Oregon Central rail road of Portland. MT. Plumb sought to en- graft upon the bill section repeating the act of March 3, 1875, authorizing actual settlers on railroad lands subsequently forfeited to locate an amount equal to their original en- try elsewhere. The effect of this act, passed assumedly in the interest of soldiers, he said had been to withdraw hundreds of thousands of acres of land and to put them in the hands of speculators and the certificates thus issued were now selling in Washington at SIS an acre.
 MT. Conger opposed the introduction of this important measure into private bill.
 The hour of 2 o'clock having arrived the Senate resumed consideration of the bill ad- mitting southern Dakota into the Union, Mir. Vest having the floor.
 MT. Vest said the intimation that partisan motives influenced himself or any of his col leagues in opposing this bill was not sus- tained by the history of the measure, which had been before the Senate for thir- teen years. For twenty-four the terri tories of the United States had been under the tutelage of the Republicans The federal patronage and the prestige of success of the dominant party had influenced the political complexion of the territories Now when for the first time in twenty five years the country had declared in favor of the party to which he belonged he would be false to his principles if he did not cratic influences should have their effect on this territory before it's admission into the Union. It was absolute disfran- chisement to the other States when a State with two senators and at least one repre- sentative on the floor of the House was ad- mitted without the ratifying ratio of popula- tion. With thirty eight sovereign States in the Union what was the exigency which called fer the dividing of a territory across which there was natural dividing line and which God had made homogeneous? There were States larger
 
 ambitious politicians who passed this or similar measure through the Senate in 1876 were behind this bill to-day. General Grant was credited with the remark when the Seere- tary of Dakota was killed by rival politic- ian that Dakota gave him more trouble than all the other territories put to- gether. Texas was admitted with terri tory enough to make five States. The man could not live in Texas to-day who would advocate the division of that State Colorado admitted in 1876 with similar soil and climate to Dakota, remained stationary in population with only one member in the lower house. Nevada had retrogaded in pop ulation. Where was the indication that Da- kota would not do the same3
 At 3:25 p. m. the Senate went into execu- tive session. and at 4:35 adjourned
 In executive session further consideration of the nomination of Hon. Hugh McCulloch Secretary of the Treasury was postponed until Tuesday next. The nomination of Bar ton Parke to be Indian agent at Fort Peake was confirmed. Senator Riddleberger made quite speech in opposition to MT. McCulloch's confirmation.
 HoUsE-A letter was read from A, M Scales, Governor-elect of North Carolina, an- nouncing his resignation as a representative from that State.
 Mr. Keller, of Ohio, called up the military accademy appropriation bill and made 8 brief explanation, after which the bill was read by paragraphs for amendment and one offered by MT Keller, limiting promotion to second ieutenantcies to graduates from the academy and established men of the army, was adopted.
 The bill was concluded in committee and reported to the House where yea ana nay vote was ordered on Mr. Keifers amendment limiting appointments, and it was disagreed to: yeas 80, nays 150 The bill was them
 MT. Morrison, of Illinois, from the Com m1ttee on Ways and Means, reported the ual resolution referring the several portions of the Presidents message to appropriate committees and it was adopted,
 MT. Cox, of New York, from the Naval committee, reported resolution inquiring of the President by what authority of law cer- tain commodores in the navy were made rear admirals; adopted.
 MT Morrison, of Illinois, introduced con- current resolution for holiday recess from December 24 to January 5; referred to the Ways and Means committee. The interstate commerce bill came up as the unfinished business. Mir. Reagan in re- ply to an inquiry said he hoped to reach 8 vote on the bill tomorrow. MT Turner, of New York, supported the Reagan substitute bill and opposed the ap- pointment of commission as creating use- 1 less offices.
 MT. Budd, of California, gave qualified support to the Reagan substitute, dissenting 1 from some of it's provisions. Mr. Stewart, of Vermont, addressed the | House in support of the committees bill. The | speaker laid before the House a formal invi- | tation to participate in the opening ceremo- nies of the New Orleans exposition on the 16th inst. laid on the table for future l action.
 At 4:55 the House adjourned, .