The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-22
FoRTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.


After the reading of the journal and presen-
tation OF petition, on motion of bir. Anthony
the Senate agreed that when it adjourns today
It be to Monday next, tomorrow being Wash
ingtons birthday, legal holiday.
A bill reported by Mr. Mcmillan from the
committee on commerce, giving the Secretary
OF War authority 10 compel the alteration OF
railroad or other bridges spanning navigable
waters of the United States which may be an
obstruction to navigation, was taken up and
passed.
Mr.. Garland called up and asked for imma-
diate consideration of the bill providing Tor the
punishment OF persons falsely personsting offi-
GERS and employees OF the United States.
Alter Mr.. Garand's remarks the bill was
then passed.
Mr.. Adrich presented a bill to provide for
lien on vessels for repairs and supplies.
AT o'clock Mr.. Mcpherson ealled up the
nattonal bank currency bill, ana Mr.. Morgan
proceeded TO speak in support Of his amend
ment providing for the deposit of Stats bonds
security for circulation.
Whiie Mr.. Morgan was speaking Mr.. Sher-
man interviewed with joint resolution, which
was Immediately read three times and passed,
appropristing $10,0 600 for the contingent fund
OF the Senate
Mr.. Sherman said this resolution was neces-
sary to enable the committee on privileges and
elections to continue its investigation.
After some debate between MessTs. Maxey,
Morgan, Plumb, Coke and Butler as TO the re-
suit which would ensue in case q State detanlt-
ed in payment of interest, or should altogether
repudiate its bends, Mr.. Allison said that the
debate was getting wide Of the mark. The
banking system has ever beon thoroughly
guarded with reference to its sclrculation by the
government of the United States, which stood
behind its circulation, and whenever the gov
ernment ceased to guarantee to a holder OF
note absolute payment of it, he would want 10
see the system destroyed utterly and forever.
He did not believe that We could rely on any
State or nationsl securities that would he
ayailabie for the purposes of circulation. Hs
thought that the bill reported by the commit
tee should be passed as il stood, which would
give us few years to consider the question OF
what would afterwards be the best.
MIR. Morrill, stated that there was bill now
before the committee on finance relating to
the subject Of circu aIion OF character mora
far-reaehlng than that now under discussion,
which he hoped would have consideration at
AN earls day. But he doubted whether, when
reported, it could quite satisfy the gentleman
from Kansas (Mr. Ingalls,.
After further remarks by Messrs. Ingalls, and
Beck, Mr.. Morrill, appealed to Mr.. bayard to
bring the question to q vote.
Mr.. Bayard said that he had been ready for
some time.
Mr. Morgan said that some complaint had
been made of the novility of the proposition,
apprecistng that there was good ground for
that, aud not being willing to take upon him
sell the entire responsibility for SO important
o measure, and feeling, further, that the
anxiety OF the country would be somewhat re-
lieved by the bill reported by the committee,
he would Withdraw mis- amendment.
The question then recurring upon the bill
Mr. George rose to address the Senate upon it.
Mr.. Morrill, hoped that in order TO have the
matter disposed of this week there would be
motion to reconsider the vote of this moruing
by which the Senate agreed that when it ad-
journed today it would be until Monday next.
Mr.sIngalls moved 10 reconsider that action
bat The motion WAS not agreed to. The SEN
ate then went into executive session, and
when the doors were sreopened adjourned until
Monday.
The agricultural appropriation bill was or.
dered printed and recommitt9d
The House taen went INTO committee of tho
| WHOLE MIR Bland of Missouri in the chair, Oh
| the military academy bill.
In speaking to !ormal amendment Mr. Bel
| ford inveigted sgsiust the mode in which adj
missions To the academy are made. AS mai
! ters srood at present tke right of member of
| Congress to nominate candidates for admission
| was barely right.
| The amendment offered by MFR. Mcmillan Of
| Tennessee, providing that o student found
| bic for reappeintment, was ruled out on
| point OF order.
Mr.. Warner offered an amendment limiting
| the number OF cadets to 200. Rejected.
| Mr.. Bedford of Colorado moved to slrike out
the paragraph providing for longevity pay of
| professors and made characteristic speech in
densnciation OF them. Lost.
| After the defeat OF the amendment reducing
the approximation for the expenses OF board
| of visitors from $3 900 to $1 600 the bill was
| reported back to the House and passed, yeas
| $50, nays 4 (biessrs. Aiken, Alexander, Bal
| lentine and Bsrksdale.)
moIion to adjourn over to Monday was
lost, yeas ILL., nays 154, but motion for az
adjournment over Washington's Birthday was
| agreed to.
Mr.. Money of Mississippi chairman of the
committee on post offices, reported the post
route bill and it was passed.
The speaker laid before the House the fol-
lowing message from the President:
81 transmit herewith the report of the Sec
retary Of State of the 21st inst. whereby your
honorable body and through you the people OF
the United States may become apprised of the
generous contributions made by Her Britannia
Majesty government towards the efforts for
the relief OF Lieutenant Greely's Arctic explor-
Ing party by presenting to the United States
the Arctic steamship Alert.
lsigned) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
When the reading of tine message was fin
ished Mr.. Randall Of Pennsylvania called fol
the reading OF the report in full. The offel
was 80 generous. coming from friendly pow
er, that it ought to be treated with respect.
The report of the Secretary OF State wal
read and itswas several times applauded.
| Mr.. Randall asked unanimous consent that
the communication be spread upon the iourna
of the House as mark of the sentiment O
the House. He further asked that the com
munication be referred to the committee on
foreign affairs with the object OF having for
NAL and appropriate recognition of this act o
the British government. (Applause.)
Il object" exclaimed MIR. Finnerty OF Hi
nois.
Mr.. Randall then put his request In tn,
form of a motion and it was agreed 20. Messss
F1nnerty and Robinson OF New York alone
voting in the negative.
Gan we not have ships OF our own withou
begging" queried Mr.. Robinson of TIM
speaker.
The chair cannot answer that question,
responded the speaker.
Too House taen adjourned until Saturday