The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-09
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Passage of the Shipping Bill-A Question of
Parliamentary PFopriety.


the Senate House message announcing non
concurrence in the Senate amendments to the
pleuro pneumonia bill The Senate insisted on
its amendments, and the Chair appointed as a
committee of conference, on the part of the
Senate, Messrs. Miller of New York Plumb and
Williams.
The Chair also laid before the Senate House
message announcing n-concurrence in the
Senate amendments to the Fitz John Porter
bill. The Senate insisted on its amendments,
and the Chair appointed as committee of con
ference, the part of the Senate, Messrs.
Sewell, Logan and CoclrelL
Mr. Logan asked to be excused from serving
on the committee, and said it was well known
lasYas opposed to any proposition for relief
OF Jne person named in the bill and, therefore,
he did not think himself proper person to be on
the committee.
The President of the Senate stated that it was
the custom to place on such committees some
member who voted with the minority ON the
passage of the bill forming the subject Of
conference
Mr. Logan said he could not and would not
serve. He was accordingly excused and Mr..
Hawley appointed in his stead:
The Chair laid before the Senate q eommuni-
cation from the Secretary of the Interior sub
hitting supplemental provisional estimates call
ing for $272 626 for further clerical hire which
would be necessary if the pension bills nov
pending be passed.
Mr. Mitchell from the committe on pensions,
reported favUrabIy, with amendment the House
bill granted pensions to soldiers of the Mexican
war. Placed on the calender, and the bills here
tofore introduced in the Senate on the same OBJ
jeet indefinitely postponed. The amendment
provides that no officer, enlisted man,
or widow, shall be entitled to the benefits
of this act unless dependent, in whole or in part
upon his OF her own labor, or assistance from
others, for support.
Mr.. Dawes offered a resolution, which was
agreed to, calling on the Secretary of the Int
rior for information whether any steps have
been taken to prosecute one Halferino for shoot
ing an Indian named Black Wolf Halferino he
said, was cowboy who made bet with his
friends that he could put bullet through an In
dams hat without touching his head He made
a slight mistake, however, aud put the bullet
through the head instead of the hat. The Indi-
ans felt outraged by this, and in the excitement
growing out of the incident, burned
a bouse belonging to the cowboys.
The house burners were tried and
sentenced to five years Imprisonment, but
the man who shot the Indian was untried and
UNPUBLISHED. The Indians, Mr.. Dawes added,
naturally felt that justice had not been done
them, and this resolution was intended to bring
out the facts as to what efforts had. been made
to prosecute the first offender
Mr.. Van Wyck offered resolution, which, at
the suggestion of Mr.. CongeF, was laid over one
udyt ulEecblllR Ine secretary OF the Interior TO
withhold the granting of patents or recognizing
of any claim made by the Northern Pacific Rail
road Company on account of what IS known as the
Puyallup branch, built many Years ago, until
this Congress shall take action on the question
of forfeiture of the lands granted said road
The shipping bill was then taken up, and Mr..
Morgan addressed the Senate.
A vote was then taken on Mr. McPherson's
amendment cutting off compensation for return
trips of ships that may take out United States
mail Reiected--VeaS II nays 81.
Mr.. Vest then moved his amendment relating
to shipping commissioners, but modified it so as
to make these officers accountable to the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for their receipts and ex-
penses, though leaving their appointment in the
Circuit Court
After debate Mr.. Vests amendment was
agreed to.
Mr. Mcpherson moved TO strike out the section
providing for foreign mail pay, and on that
motion called for the yeas and nays. The motion
was lost-yeas and nays A. The yeas were
Messers. Cockrel. Harris. Kenna, Lamar
Mcpherson, Van Wyek and Vest. This COM
pleted consideration of the bill in committee of
the whole.
On motion of Mr. Frye the House bill was
then taken from the table, and, with but slight
debate, amended so as to correspond with the
bin Just agreed to-
Mr. Dawes then moved an amendment to ad
nit free Of duty materials made abroad which
should be used for the building in this country,
of ships exclusively for foreign trade.
Mr. Morgan offered an amendment admitting
foreign-built ships to American registry under a
duty of 30 per cent advalorem. Lost-Yeas 10,
nays a.
The House bill as amended, was then passed.
without division or debate, and Mr.. Frye at
once moved the appointment of committee of
conference on the disagreeing votes of the two
houses.
Mr.. Harris raised point Of order, saying it
was in accordance with the principles and usages
of parliamentary law, although instances were
rare where either house asked for such a com
mttee at this stage.
Mr.. Beck appealed from the decision of the
chair
Mr. Frye said he had known it to be done one
and twenty times in the House.
Mr.. Bayard inquired if there was a precedent
for it in the Senate
The Chair stated that there was a precedent in
the case of the sundry civil bill, March 3, 1879.
Mr.. Beck thought, owing to the unusual pres
sure before adjournment unanimous consent
may have been given
Mr. Frye read from Jeffersons Manual to JUS
tify his motion.
Mr. Sherman hoped the question would be
allowed to lie over until to morrow
Mr.. Frye said he understood the bill was
passed and the only question pending was as to
q committee of conference.
The Chair stated that the bill could not 90 to
the House till this question was disposed of.
Mr.. Beck said he had not withdrawn his APP
peal.
Mr.. Frye was proceeding TO say that II tue
bill went to the House" when the Clair an
nouneed that references to the House of Repre-
sntatiYes were not in order.
Mr.. Fry said he would then suppose case, If
a point of order were made against this bill in
another place, and it should go to the committee
of the whole, that would bury the bill.
The Chair reminded Mr. Frye that he was in
fringing the rule.
Mr.. Frye (sotto voce) 81 am much obliged to
the Chair for letting me get so far"
Mr. Beck insisted that there was, as yet, no
disagreement between the two houses. A con
ference could be asked for when disagreement
arose.
Mr. Conger did not see how conference could
be asked in case the bill was not returned to the
Senate after leaving it,
Mr.. Frye insisted that disagreement, within
the meaning of parliamentary rule, arose when
the Senate refused to agree to the House bill,
and amended the bill He would let the matter