Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-27
FORTY-HIGRTn CONGRESS.
First Ses0iOn.
WAsHIyGroy Feb d.

II.
Mr.. Wilson reported favorably bill to
prohibit the mailing of newspapers contain.
ing lottery Advertisements; placed on the cal.
endar.
Mr. Morgan presented a petition praying
for the ratification of the Mexican treaty
The chair Informed Mr.. Morgan that such
petitions were presented in executive ses-
sions. Mr.. Morgan was opposed TO such a
rule, but would so present the petition.
Mr.. Maxey. from the committee on mill.
tary affairs, reported favorably. with some
amendment, the bill to consolidate the bureau
of military justice with the corps Of Judge ad-
vocates of the army. This was placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Allison offered resolution which was
agreed TO, calling on the secretary of the
navy to furnish the Senate with full inform.
alton as to the progress of the ship canal a,
the Isthmus of Panama.
Mr.. Hale introduced the following joint
resolution, which was at once read three
times and passed without debate
Resolved, BY the Senate and House OF
Representative that the act of Her BrittainiC
MaJestys government in presenting to the
United States government the arctic steam.
ship Alert, which will be used in the con.
templated expedition to relieve Lieut. Greedy
and his party, is recognized as opportune and
generous, and is deeply appreciated by Con
gress and the people of the United States
| That the President be, and he is hereby re.
quested to communicate copy of these reso-
lutions to Her Brittainic Majesty's govern
ment.
Mr.. Plumb offered resolution which was
| agreed to, calling on the commissioner OF
agriculture to furnish information of the an.
nual amount of wheat, rice, corn and rotton
produced in this country the five years pre-
cediDg 1882; the amount used at home fol
food. fodder, seed and other purposes the
amount exported abroad, and the surplus, il
any. at the end of the group of years similar
information for the years 1928 separately,
and an estimate as to the year 1884; also
whether in his judgment speculation by op-
ton in these productions where no actual
transfer takes place, tends to affect the
market value of the commodity to the injury
of consumer or producer.
| The chair laid before the Senate the bill
reported by Mr.. Hoar from the committee or
naval affairs, to authorize the construction
of additional steel cruisers for the navy. The
bill authorizes the President to have con-
structed seven steel vessels besides one steel
ram, one cruising torpedo boat and two har.
Dor torpedo boats.
Mr.. Hale addressed the Senate, pointing
out the necessity for ships, the United States
possessing hardly one of the class now recog-
nized by the nations of the world as neces-
sary for naval purposes. When we contem-
plated things that were happening every day.
clouds were lowering on the political horizon
though not themselves fraught with danger
they at least showed that this country should
no longer be permitted to remain in its pres,
ent helpless condition. In case of trouble,
the people of the United States would be lot h
to forgive any administration of public af-
fairs that had not sought to do something to
remedy the present defenseless condition OF
the nation.
Mr.. Beck inquired where the ships were to
be built, and whether by private contract or
otherwise.
Mr.. Hale replied that the whole subject
had been gone over in connection with the
bill of last wear. 1t was believed, and in that
belief he shared. that these ships could Iot
be built so cheaply in the navy yard as out
side. Nothing should be done without ad-
vertisement in papers in all parts of the coun-
try. or without the plan and process of con
struction clearly mapped out.
Mr.. Mcpherson offered an amendment re-
ducing the number of vessels provided for
by the bill to four, (cutting off the cruisers
and despatch boat and providing that the
gunhoats, rams and torpedo boats be built
under plans and specifications to be supplied
by the navy department., except one gunboat,
20 be built under plans furnished BY the ad-
miral of the navy, such building to be done
by contract with the lowest bidder made
after at least 60 days advertisement, and no
such vessel should be accepted unless built
in accordance with the plans and specitica-
tions. He did not believe in destroying the
old wooden vessels of the navy till some sub
r
cised the action of the secretary of the navy
in reference to these ships, and said the
whole plan of that officer was to have a
chance of building new ships and not preserve
the old ones. even where they were worthy
of preservation.
Mr. Butler said that the wooden ships were
rapidly wiping themselves out, and he
thought the limitation of expense upon their
repairs was a wise one. In case of diff
Guilty with foreign power, it would be absu-
lutte murder to compel the men of our navy
to go aboard OF these and contend with any
naval vessel. The following named cities.
he said. could be bombarded by the most re-
cent guns from positions which could be taken
by the enemy in spite of channel oSstructions
or harbor defenses Eastport, Portsmouth,
Portland. Boston, New Bedford, Newport.
New Haven, New London, New York, Brook
iyn, NOrlOtk. DOIUIu, w Suaiirs
ton, Fernandina, Key West. Pensacola and
Galveston. Besides the English, they would
have within a few months clear IA foot
channel from the ocean to the Great Lakes
which would admit of vessels of respectable
size, and expose the large cities on the lakes
to the danger of bombardment.
The Senate. without coming to vote,
went into executive session and afterward 9
adjourned.
The Senate bill providing for the compile
ton of the statue of Rear Admiral Dupont,
was passed. The statue is to be placed In
Dupont circle, Washington.
The House then went into committee on
the pleuro pneumonia bill.
Mr.. Hopkins Of Louisiana offered an amend
ment providing for the appointment of twenty
persons to inquire into the contagious disease
among domestic animals. which shall be with
the consent of the legislatures Of the States
wherein they are to act.
Mr.. Eaton of Connecticut opposed the
amendment because the bill could not be
amended so as to make it decent 1t was
unconstitutional from head to heel.
Mr.. Eaton took occasion to reply to the
criticisms of his course made BY Mr.. Hatch
of Missouri some days since. He regretted
that the gentleman from Missouri had said