Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-08
PORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
First SessiOn.
sen ATE.



The committee on military sffairs Was dis
charged from the consideration of the bill TO
regulate the retiring of army officers, intro
duced and by mistake accredited TO Mr..
Williams
Mr.. Pendleton presented as a memorial,
joint resolution of the general assembly of
Ohio, urging the passage BY Congress IN the
interest of American labor. of some such bill
as that introduced by Mr.. Foran 10 prohibit
the importrtion of foreign under agreement
to perform labor in the United States.
The Senate agreed that when il adjourns
il will be until Monday.
The Senate took up, and after a short de-
bate passed, bull appropraiting $500, 200 for
the construction of a tre-proof building OF
brick and metal in Washington, TO be used
a hall of records
The bill TO establish bureau of labor
statistics being reached. and being subject TO
the operation OF the rule limiting remarks TO
five minutes, Mr.. Morrill, suggested the pro
priety Of postponing its consideration and
changing its place on the calendar, so As TO
allow a greater facility OF debate, the subject
being one that could hardly be dealt with
justly under the Limitation of debate.
MIR. Blair hoped that no delay would occur
in the consideration of the bill.
Mr.. Hoar said the subject was one OF great
Importance. While disclaiming any purpose
OF making any bid for votes, he would say
that if the existing rate of wages paid to
the workingmen of this country could not be
maintained and increased, he for his part
despaired of the maintenance of the republic
for many generations. Ii seemed impossible
to have the republic founded on universal
suffrage unless the great mass of the com
munity could receive as reward for their
labor a sum sufficient to afford comfort ami
enable them to educate their children and
develope in them patriotic interest In the
republic.
Mr.. Morrill, remarked that if the other SEN
ators were ready to discuss the question in
volved he would not object.
Mr.. Hawley suggested that the work of
collecting and collating the statistics of la
Dor, agriculture, commerce, manufactures
etc, should be placed under the direction of
a very capable man, who should have capa-
BILE chiefs OF divisions.
After further remarks by Messrs. Call,
Aldrich, Blair and Garland, the bill went
over.
The naval appropriation bill, which had
been received from the House, was referred
to the committee on appropriations.
Mr. Dolph called up in order to make some
remarks, the bill to provide for the improve
ment of the Columbia river. On conclusion
of his remarks the bill referred to the
committee on commerce.
The Senate took up and passed the bill
providing that majority of the Judges OF the
United States supreme court shall constitute
a quorum (the law heretofore making six of
the nine judges a quorum.) The bill pro-
vides that no judge of the supreme court who
has heard a case at the circuit, shall be one
of the judges to hear it when 1t comes upon
appeal.
The Senate entered upon the consideration
of the bill for the relief of the heirs of Mau-
rice Ginot. The bill provides for the repay
ment to the heirs of Givot of about 500,
constituting the bank deposit seized by order
of General Banks in New Orleans in taking
possession of that city.
Mr. Conger strenously opposed the bill
upon the ground that he was entering the
wedge for a large number of claims OF similar
character. The bill was passed-40 to 9.
Mr. Plumb reported favorably the House
bill declaring forfeited the lands granted to
the Texas Pacific Railroad company.
Adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
Under a demand for regular order, thr
speaker proceeded to call the committees for
reports of private character, and a numbe-
endars.
Among the bills reported was one granting
a pension to the widow of Gen. Francis 7.
Blair.
A bill authorizing the retirement of Alfred
Pleasanton with the rank of colonel was re-
committed to the committee on military at-
fairs.
Mr.. Browne of Indiana introduced bill
granting to Alfred Pleasanton a pension of
800 a month; referred to the committee on
pensions.
The House at I.30 went into a committee
of the whole.
The committee remained in session until
o'clock when several private bills were re-
ported back to the House and passed, includ-
ing that increasing the pension of Ward b.
Burnett to 500 month.
The House then took a recess until 7.3O
p. NJ.
c3At the evening session the House passed
nineteen pension bills, among them being
bills granting pension to the widow OF Gen.
Judson Gilpatrick, and increasing the pension
of the widow of Surgeon General Barnes to
$50 month.
Adjourned.