National Republican., 1884-06-18
THE IIOuSE-

Mr.. Slocum, OF New York, presented the con-
| ference report on the Fitz-John Portes bill. The
effect Of IL is to strike ouG of tho bill the word.
Together with all the rights. titles and privi.
leges," and TO insert the words provided that
said Fitz-John Porter shall receive no pay com
pensation, or allowance whatsoever, prior to his
appointment under this act" instead of the fol-
loving words in the bill, "But this act shall moi
be construed as authorizing pay. compensation
or allowances prior TO his appointment under it,
The conference report was agreed to--yeas 1853,
nays 6l.
The house then, at 10 o'clock, went into com.
mittee of the whole (Mr Dunn, of Arkansas, in
the chair oil the deficiency appropriation bill.
Mr.. Guenthcr, Of Wisconsin, offered an amend
ment nppropr!ating S93,SIl, the amount of awards
10 the state of Wisconsin for damages oocasioned
by the Improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin
rivers The amendment was rejected-i4 to 90
When the committee had reached the end of tho
bill MI Randall. of Pennsylvania, moved as an
additional section proposition against political
assessments, making II unlawful for any senator,
representative, or delegate, or any clerk or en-
ploye OF the government, or any contractor with
the government, to contribute, directly or indi-
reotly for any political object whatever.
Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois, made the point that the
amendment was not in order, under the rule.
Mr.. Randall, admitting that the amendment was
open to the point of order, expressed his regret
hat the point t y, mao been made adding that the
ments mad been carried on to an outrageous ex-
tent
Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, argued that the amend.
ment was Objectionable, not only as being against
the rule but as boing against good policy. If
an Iowa farmer sold hundred bushels of oats TO
an army commissary he could not use any of
the money for disseminating political informa-
ton or for the printing OF ticket, A member OF
congress desiring re-eleotion would not be per.
mitted to spend any OF his own money for the
ordinary purpose of his election, while his com.
petltor (not being member might expeud any
amount he chose.
The chairman, expressing his regret that such
wholesome proposition, and one 50 conducive to
public morals, was out of order, felt constrained
TO sustain the point OF order. The proposition was
therefore not admitted.
The committee then rose, and the house agreed
in bulk, TO all the amendments reported, except
that striking out the proviso as TO the compen'a.
ton OF fourth class pOSnasters The vote strik-
ing Il out was taken by yeas and nays, and re.
sulted-yeas l5l, nays ST. (rhe result being in the
Interest of the pOstmHslers.)
The bill WIS then passed
Mr.. Hewitt, OF New York. from the committee
effect the convention Setween the United States of
America and the United States of Mexico, signed
January 20, 1883, with n favorable report, The re-
the calendar.
The bin to prohibit the importation of labor un.
der contract, being Especial order for yesterday,
was set apart for its consideration.
AMENDMENTS TO TIE RAILROAD ACTS.
The h0u,e then proceeded to the consideration
OF me plll reported from the committee on Pacific
railroads. 10 amend the several Pacific railroad
acts IL requires the companies to file within
ninety days from the passage of this net Tor within
hlAlg uNls NllSI tllt completion OF tl0 n
list Of selections OF the land claimed by them and
to deposit the cost OF surveying, selecting, and
conveying the same.
The discussion wns opened by Mr.. Millard of
New YORK, In explanation aud advocacy of the
bill lie was questioned by Mr.. Pdyson OF Illinois
AS to what possible advantage it could be for the
government 10 procure Judgments against tho rail
road companies for the costs of suryeyE when there
M Mare prior mortgages against them 10 the amount OF
SlO5,OO0O0O.
Mr.. Hanback,, OF Kansas. expressed the opinion
that the remedy against tho companies was In
congress and not the courts.
Mr, Hiscoc6 of New York, expressed the opinion
that the effect OF the proposed legislation would
DO TO discharge these railroad lands OF the lien 10
which they are now subject under the Thurman
bill,
Mr., Hanback, replied that the Thurman bill did
not operate as lien upon the lands OF the COM
pnnles. He thought II better TO leave legislation
rs II now was than 10 pass this bill. He would
prefer law requiring the companies TO take their
lands In SIX months, and de'liriug that a failure
to do SO would work their forfeiture.
Mr.. Anderson favored II lazy authorizing for.
ieiture IN case the companies did not take the
patents to their lands aud pay tho fees ana costs
within six months.
Alr. Weaver spoke of tho disadvantage under
which states hnd labOred I'm not having these rail-.
road lands liable To taxation, and said that the
had thus saved in taxes within thir-
teen years 81, 100000,
Mr., Broadhead favored the bill deemiuR IL
quite eholent for the object proposed.
Mr'tayson declared that tho government had