The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-21
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
* - -
SENATE.
WAsn1NnroN


The Senate took up and passed, without dc.
bate, bill increasing the annual amount OF
money to provide arms and equipments for the
militia from $4,000 to $4,000.
The Secretary of War recommends q reim-
bursement of the officers and men Of the Pro-
teus for the loss of personal effects. The bill
was reported adversely from the committee,
but was placed on the calendar
By Mr.. Mandersop, bin to provide for
heating and determining the claims OF the
State of Georgia.
The Senate took up and passed the bill to
amend section 1861 of the Revised Statutes,
making an annual appropriation to provide
arms for the militia. The bill increases the
annual appropriation from 5000, 900 to 5000. .000
and provides that it be exl ended among the
States and territories in the ratio by which the
States and Territories are entitled to represens
tation in Congress; also that the militia OF
each State, in time of peace, shall be entitled
to receive an apportionment of the approptia.
tion for not more than 500 regularly uniformed
commissioned officers and enlisted men for
each representative or delegate TO which such
State or territory is entitled in Congress; all
ordinance and other militia outfits to remain
the property OF the United States.
On the conclusion of the morning hour, the
Senate resumed consideration of the currency
BILL.
An amendment was proposed by Mr. Pagh
to the amendment CT Mr.. Plumb, and accept
ed by the latter which would permit the issue
OF treasury notes provided for in MIR. Plumb's
amendment, in case the banks deposited legal
tender notes for the redemption of their circn-
lation. Other Amendments were offered to
Mr.. Plumb's amendment by MessFs. Pugh and
Morgan, which were not agreed TO, oad after
some debate vote was taken on Mr.. PlumD's
amendment, which was rejected-15 yeas, SO
nays.
The next amendment to the bill OF the COM
mittee was that offered by Mr.. Morrill,, which
gave to the 4 per cent bonds higher rate of
circulation, and also the banks which had been
organized on gold basis the same privilege as
other national banks. was also reieCted-20 to
36.
Mr.. Morrill, moved separately an amendment
relating to what he termed "gold banks" and
which had just been disagreed to, unless they
were included in the committee bills he said
they could only receive 80 per cent on bonds
that might be deposited.
The Senate then went into executive session
and later adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the House today resolution providing
for committee of seven to inauire what
changes should be made il thu laws relating
to the administration of public lands was CALI
ed up.
Pending sction, Mr.. Morey from The commit
tees On post roads, stated that the postmaster
general, in answer to request for information
In regard to the Star route Investigations had
replied that such information would be detri-
mental topublic Interests il n lde public. Dis
cussion ensusd over the postmaster general 8
position, Mr.. Reed of Maine saying that the
postmaster general knew what was in the re-
ports and the gentleman from Mississippi did
not
Mr.. Robinson of New York inquired whence
came this nonsfehial idea that the heads of de-
partments may refnss to give representativeslof
the people information they desire. He denied
the right of executive branches of the govern
ment to exercise discretion in Withholding in
formation.
Mr. Kasson of Iowa replied that ii had been
the uniform practice to recognize the right of
the executive branches of the government
when asked Tor information to decline If it
thought best.
Mr.. Bingham of Pennsylvania challenged the
statementsofs thes gentlemen from Mississippi
(bir. Morey) that the information was needed
for consideration of the bill before the commits
tee On post Office and post roads. The resolu-
ton had been offered by that committee in
January and the bill had not been introduced
until February 4th.
The resolution was then ageed to by vote
of 148 to LOG.
Bills were reported as follows;
From the committee on post offices, bill to
allow extra compensation to postmasters of the
third class for rent, etc.
From the public lands committee a bill to
declare forfeited the land grant to the Oregon
Central Railroad Company also resolution
buat Juo EftStuenb DO requested ID prevent the
delivery of Senor Carlos Aguerc, now in Key
West, Florida, and held for extradition on tho
demand of thu government of Spain, until it
shall be ascertained that the charges against
him are true, and that he is not held for politi-
cal purposes, and that the President be re-
quested to direct the Attorney General of the
United States to have an investigation Of the
case made.
A joint resolution, appropriating $150,000 to
be expended among the Indians for education
al purposes, was passed.
The House then went into committee to con-
slider the military academy appropriation bill.
Mr.. keifer said the appropriation for the pay
of cadets had been increased to the extent Of
$4,000. There were but 270 cadets in attend
ance, although the law allowed 344.
Mr. Cobb of Indiana asked why SO many va
cancies exist
Mr.. Keifer replied that many failed at ex-
animation.
A running debate followed upon the stan
dard required for admission to the academy.
during which Mr.. Cobb stated that three of the
brightest young men in his district had been
unable to pass the examination, and Mr.. Bel
ford of Colorado characterized the institution
as 'The cooperative tyranny of this country,
and governed by snobs.'
Messrs. Ellis of Louisiana and Randall of
Pennsylvania defended the high standard
maintained and asserted that it was not a
question of numbers but intelligence.
After further debate the committee rose and
the House adjourned.