The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-13
FORTY-EnGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.


Ine senate was to-day called TO order ant
presided over by Senator Allsion. A repor
irom Prof. Simon Newcombe, OF the United
States navy, on the subject of recent improve
ments in astronomical observatories, instru
ments and methods of observation as noted By
him on the recent visit to Europe, was present
ed.
petition was presented praying for the ap
polntment OF a commission to investigate the
liquor traffic, and fer submission to the Ststsi
of constitutional amendment to prohibit the
sale or manufacture of alcoholic liquors in the
United States.
A Dill by Mr.. Hale to authorize the construc'
tion OF additional steel vessels for the navy
was reported favorably.
Mr.. Mcpherson introduced bill to suspend
coinage OF standard silver dollars.
The bill as amended by the finance commit
Tee now simply authorizes the director or the
mint With the approval of the Secretary OF
the treasury to employ temporarily persons
distinguished in the art or 10 the knowledge OF
coinage and medals who shall investigate and
examine the whole subject of our existing sys-
tenn OF coinage with view to its improve
ment and greater perfection OF execu lion as to
metals, the relative value of minor coins, and
also 10 devices, legends aud Inscriptions; any
person whose designs for any coin shall be
adopted to be paid the sum of $3.50 for each
design.
The chair laid before the Senate resolution
recently offered by Mr. Voorhees, directing the
Attorney General to report to the Senate the
cause of delay On the part of the department. of
Justice in advising the Postmaster General as
10 the proper construction of the act of March
8, 1883 in relation to salaries and pay of post.
masters, the question of 'he proper construc-
ton OF such act having been referred to tho
Attorney General by the Postmaster General
In August 1888, and no answer having yet
been made thereto.
Mr.. Morgan disiked to make complaint in
this way,
Mr.. Ingalls, stated that the law of 1888, to
which the resolution referred was one intended
to carry out the act of 1866, and parties to
whom money was due had now been waiting
~ years for the execution of very simple
provision OF law, but instead of the execution
OF the statnte or endesvoring to make it effec-
tive, the Postmaster General sends it to the
Attorney General.
Mr.. Ingalls, expressed himself exceedingly
surprised that the Postmaster General should
feel called upon not to execute the law but TO
ascertain II possible reasons why he should
not execute it. CONGRESS, 1t seemed to Mr.
Ingalls,, had been trifed with in this matter.
and that there was no disposition to carry out
the law but rather to find some reason for not
carrying it out
Mr.. Butler said that he had received a
letter from postmaster enclosing printed
circular from Washington claim agent offer
ing to collect his claim for % per cent. of the
whole amount. Mr.. Butler had written the
Postmaster General inquriug whether the
services of a claim agent were necessary. to
winch tue Postmaster General had replied
that claim agents services were necessary to
get the money to which the man was unqueg-
tiopably entitled. He thought it very remark
able that the matter should have been referred
to the Attorney General six months ago with
ont yet eliciting a reply.
Mr.. Dawes said that Massachusetts, indeed
the whole country, WAS full of claim agents
circulars sent to postmasters and stating that il
was necessary to have the services OF such
agents in order TO secure these moneys.
After further debate the resolution of Mr..
voorhees, was agreed to-
At this poinIMr. Voorhees,asked and obtain
I'd unanimous consent to iniroducs out of its
regular order bill TO prohibit officers and
employees of the United States Government
rom contributing money for political purposes.
In presenting tbs bill Mr.. Voorhees, said that
It had become notorious that notwith standing
,he present law on. the subject of political as
clerks and others in the government
employ were being compelled under the device
voluntary contributions to give away moD-
,ys needed for he support of their families
The bill. he said, made it penal offence fer
my person in the government employ to COR
ribute money foc Political purposes and by
ID as not only inficting penalty on him who
'eceives, bat as well, on him who gives this
hing could be stopped, and it could not he
topped in any other way. Mr. Voorhees, dis.
ill.
Mr.. Hawley eontended that it would not do
% say that man should not contribute any
hing to political party of his own
rec will and a law making such a
declaration and providing a penalty for
uch an act would bs not only utterly useless
n free country, but blow aimed at the COM
honest rights of mankind. By the law as it
lands, government officer is prohibited going
nto any government offices to collect money
or political purposes, and it is provided that
10 man in the service of the government
hould be put down or put out by reason of any
allure to contribute any money for such pur-
,oses. No tTiy futO fsSs<l-
office and SOLICIT such monieyss:
hough.. ~ = 's''ss-snoy w.
Mr.. Hawiey replied, in that case they should
Do punished. Every thing that could be done
rad been done to hinder such conduct, but the
Measure by the gentleman from Indiana was a
most extraordinary and unjustifiable one, and
re ought TO be ashamed to place such law on
he statute book against the freedom of action
ey claimed the right to give his money to any
roper political purpose. Some gentlemen
eemed to suppose that every thing political
sas dishonorable, whereas politics, next to the
ervice of God, was the most honorable work
u which a man could be engaged.
Mr.. Beck said that men had been before
congress seeking confirmation, who had re.
aimed 10 or 10 per cent. of the salaries of gov
rnmebt employees under them, in order to
end delegates to a political convention.
Mr.. Dawes wished the gentle nan from Ken
ucky "a. r. Becky to be more specific. "Who
it?" he inquired, that has retained 10 or Is
er cent. of the salaries of such employees"
81 do not care" said Mr.. Beck, ito state
heir names; but they are officers of the gov.
Then will not ask the name," said Mr..
Dawes. "Bnt does the gentleman state here
a nj nf
lent who has retained percentage of the SAL
ry of employees OF this government for politi-
al purposes?"
"Yes, do Mr.. Beck replied; 7" and the f.
aDce committee all know it, and plenty of
theirs know it."
"Then," continued Mr. Dawes, "the gentle-
ian SHOULD have called for information and |
,id the facts before the Senate and the pub |
c."
1T will bs laid before the committee," Mr.. |
'eck remarked, when this bill comes up"
Mr.. Dawes hoped that that individual, who |
yer he may be, would be arraigned before the |
roper tribunal and impeacbed of high Crimes |
nd misdemeancrs.
Mr.. Vance said it was shown as to employees
t The internal revenue department that their |
alaries had been retained in offices of cullec- |
ors of customs, W bile blank checks had been |
ent around for deputies and other officials to |
ign.
Mr.. Hawley said he had no doubt there had |
zen infamous abuse in connection with politi- |
al assessments. Speaking TO the broad pro- |
ostion, however, he would say that no citi- |
en- of free country should be prohibited from |
contributing.
In moving reference of the bill to the COM
nittee on judiciary Mr.. Voorhees, remarked |
hat whenever in court of law he had case |
n which he know that the judges mind was
made up before trial, he always took change
4 venue. For that reason he was, ne said, un-
Wiling to let the Senator from Connecticut
ave the bill.
(Mr. Hawley is chairman of the Senate COM
nittee on civil service and retrenchment)
Mr.. Hawley said he b id not asked that it
hould go to his committee.
"Then the senator does not object to its 60
ng somewhere sep inquired Mr. Voorhees,.
81 don't care' replied Mr.. Hawley.
swell, do.' said Mr.. VOORHEES,. These enor-
nous sums, sare expended on elections, to cor.
upt the ballot box and debauch public vir-
ne.
Mr.. Harrison made vigorous speech in op-
'osition to the bill. He would like to have an
opportunity to read TO lis colleagues some
showing he attitude and conduct
If men high in Office when the Offices were
iiled with Democrats, who have become
prominent in national politics and who had
been themselves collectors of political assess
nents. He had read history of those times in
'ain to find that.his colleague, who was himself
Il. +