The Portland daily press., 1884-01-18
FORTY-EEGHTH CONGRESS-.
BENATE.


The chair laid before the Senate several
memorials from public health associations
relating to the health OF the United Ststes
and one from VIM. Pitt Kellogg, now al MEM
Der OF the House of Representatives, denying
all imputations against him contained in the
recent documents transmitted to the Senate by
the Secretary of the Interior relating to the
transfer OF the land grant of the Texas Pacific
Railroad to the Southern Pacific Rsilroad aud
asking an investigation of the chsrees
Petitions we're presented by Messrs Blair,
Morrill,, Frye and Bayard from the Woman's
christian temperance Union of Delaware,
praying for the appointment of committee OF
inquiry on the liquor traffic.
Mr. Van Wyck introduced bill regulating
iransportlon charges on all railroads which
nave received government aid. The bill Is a
substitute for one previously introduced by
him, which only affected the Union and Gen.
trail Pacific railroads.
AT the conclusion of the morning business
the Senate went into executive session, and af-
forwards adjourned.
The speaker laid before the House message
from the President in regard to the issue of
gold and silver certificates. Referred.
Mr.. Morse, by request, introduced bill re-
peallng tbs duty on extract of hemlock and
other barks used in tanning. Referred.
Mr.. Beach OF New York offered resolution
calling on the Postmaster General for all re-
ports and papers referring TO the star route in
vestiRatton made by special agents of the POST
office Der artment 10 the Postmaster General
during 1881. IL was referred to the COM
mitse on expenditures in the Department of
Justice.
Mr.. Cox of North Carolina, from the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, reported resolution
requesting the President to transmit to the
House any correspondence with the Mexican
government in regard to the claims specified
in section of the act of Congress approved
June Is, 1878; also any correspondence relat-
ing to the new condition Of things in Mexico
since the proposed railroad connection with
the United States also any correspondence
with Mexico and Guatemala in relation to the
boundary question between those republics
Adopted.
Mr.. Robinson of New York, from the COM
mittee on pensions, reported till pensioning
the sole surviving grandchild of Thomas JEFF
ferson. Placed on the private calendar.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois, chairman OF the
commiLtee on expenditures in the Department
OF Justice, reported back resolution calling
on the Postmaster General for copies OF all
correspondence between the Department of
Justice and the Postoface Depal tment touch
ing the prosecution OF persons charged with
fraud In connection with the star route mail
service, statement of the names of individu-
ais found to be indebted to the United States
aud the amount of Indebtedness of each in
consequence OF such frauds; also for an item
lzed statement of expenditures in the Post
office Department from March 4, 1881, to jan
tions of such frauds.
Mr. Calkins of Indiana suggested that the
resolution touched somewhat upon the power
of the committee OF expenditures in the Post
office Department
Mr.. Springer explained that it was the duty
of his committee to enquire into the enforce
ment of payment OF monies due the United
States. The resolution was adopted.
The regular order being demanded the
speaker announced it to be on motion made
yesterday by Mr.. Hiscock Of New York TO COM
mitthe Senate bill appropriatinE 81 900,000
continuing the work of improvement on the
rl'esisss ppa 1s,ysstothe Committee rivers and
an amendment restricting the expenditnre Of
money on Plum Point aud Lake Proyidence
reaches except where necessary to protect the
works already begun. The motion was lost
yeas lit, nays 1852.
Mr.. White of Kentucky smoved to commit
the bill with instructions to the committee of
rivers and har 9ors not to report it back until
the Secretary of War has furnished the House
with an itemiZed account of expenditures for
the improvement OF the Mississippi river from
July 1, 1879, to Jan. 16, 1884. Lost.
Mr.. Reed OF Maine made the point of order
that under the rules the yeas and nays must be
called, aud the speaker sustaining the point
the clerk proceeded to call the roll, The bill
passed--yeas 212, nays 81.
The House then took up the bill amending
section 1887 revised stltutes-to limit the du-
ration of patents to seventeen years which
have been patented in foreign countries prior to
fling application for said patent in this coun-
try.
Mr.. Holman OF Indiana moved to recommit
the bill with instructions TO the committee on
patents, to report it back with the provision
thatin any action against innocent purch asers
OF patented articles manufactured in violation
OF the right the psteDtee, the measure of dam
ages shall at best exceed the cost in open mar
ket of the article so manufactured. Agreed
to, 81 81.
The bill making all public roads and high
ways post routes passed.
Adjourned.