The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-15
FORTY-EEGRTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Mar


propriately referred:
BY MIR. Miller, OF New York, providing ad-
ditional pay for officers honorably mustered
out under the act Of July 16, 1870.
BY Mr.. Bower to reduce postage on mailable
matter OF the second class.
Mr.. Plumb called up the joint resolution sp-
propriatiDg $780, ,000 for the eradication of the
foot and mouth disease. Mr.. Plumb said it
was q very serious disease aud did not ffrc
the State OF Kansas merely, bat ali States He
sent to the desk and had read by the clerk a
despatch from the Governor of Kansas urging
the Importance of immediate action
Mr.. Plumb had no objection 10 the amend
ment offered by Mr.. Sherman.
Mr.. Coke moved on amendment striking
out the work "Kansss" and inserting the
word with consent of State an thorilies" SO as
TO secute 70 each State the same right to exer-
else its own jurisdiction in the matter If they
preferred TO do so.
Mr.. Hawley was disposed to look at the mat
ter as broadly as was consistent with the sub
Ject, but he did not favor a growing disposi-
ton TO call on the general government for ae-
tion.
In any case he thought State ought not to
come to Washington for aid. He recognized
and even asserted that il was the duty Of the
government to act in cases of widespread
calamity like the recent Western hoods, but
for his part be would object TO a federal board
going into the State of Connecticut and
Strengthening cattle at It's will in disregard to
people Of Connecticut were able to look after
such matters for themselves.
Mr.. Garland said that when great calami-
ty overlook the people and exceeded the ef-
forts of the people of State it was his belief
that it was fully within the power of Congress
to extend its hand in aid of the people. Mr..
Garland then entered at some length into the
constitutiOnality Of the question, quoting
Story on constitution and reviewing the hsto-
ry of the national legislation with regard to
6YtpuSj0n Of aid in nuhlio HYOarpAuniae Tn
the course OF his remarks he referred to the
aid extended to the City of Portland, Me, a
place of much smaller compass thsn the State
of Kansas.
Mr.. Morgan inquired whether the Senator
from Arkansas held that to be proper case
for national Legislation.
Mr.. Garland said yesl and any case which
exceeded capacity of the local authorities
would be proper case; and whenever he was
shown a case in which the local power of aid
was overmasted, he would vote for it with as
clear conscience as he ever had (after an in
stant's pausel-takeD glass of whiskey.
(Lauahter),
Messrs Vest, Harris Coke and others op-
posed the bill as unconstitutional.
Mr.. ingalls, was afraid that eventually the
Senate would be called upon to make large
appropriation to exiirpate the foot and mouth
disease from the Democratic patty, Qsughter)
for that party never opened its mouth without
putting It's foot in it. (Renewed laughter The
doctrine of State rights and sovereignty"
he said, sdies hard, but think it is moribnud
and in course of time will be buried. Ii any
Senator on the opposite side of this chamber
can tell me what power majority of Congress
cannot use under the constitution, under the
recent decision of the Supreme Court in the
legal tender cases, | shall be very much
obliged
Mr.. Hoar said he would have to vote against
the resolution If obliged to vote to-day. as be
did not understand that the difficulty had
assumed proportions beyond the reach of the
State of Kansas. The legislature was to meet
next week and it would be we'll to wait for
such meeting. He therefore moved to post
pone consideration of the resolution for one
week.
Mr.. Harris moved to postpone indefinitely.
Mr. Bayard desired to move an amendment,
but as the hour was now late he would do so
Monday. Tharefore he moved an adjourn
ment.
Before putting the motion the Vice Presi-
dent announced that he would be compelled 10
absent himself for three days OF next week,
and If there was no objection he would
designate Mr.. Sherman to perform the duties
of the chair. There being no objection, the
designation was made,
The Senate then adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
In the House Mr.. O'Neil of Pennsylvania
presented memorials from the vessel owners
and captains association of Philadelphia,
favoriDg the passage Of bill giving vessel
owners f1gnb 10 sue tDe government III cases
of collision with United States vessels,and also
the passage of the Dingley pilotage bill. They
were referred.
The morning hour was dispensed with. A
motion to take up the postotfice appropra tion
bill was lost and the house went into commit
tee of the whole on the private calender.
A bill granting pension Of $2500 year to
Septimima Randolph Meikleham, sole survi-
wing ersndchild of Thomas Jefferson, author
of the Declaration of Independence, was taken
4baf - fl,1,o tee.
on pensions was read. The clerk was reading
the MAORI y report complimentary TO Jeffer-
son when Mr.. Belford OF Colorado asked,
"What in the name of God is the use of read
ing such report as thatf"
"Order' cried Mr.. O'Nel of Pennsylvania.
The minority report of the committee OPP
posed the bill on the ground that it provides
for granting a 'civil" pension, Jeffersons
services being civil instead of military This
report, while asserting it is disgrace" to tie
people that this good lady should be- in want,
yet contends that Congress has no authority to
vote money for charity. The minority argue
that if pension be granted it would be only
short time before efforts will be made TO peD-
sion the living children and grandchildren OF
all Presidents.
Arguments against the bill principally upon
constitutional grounds were made by Messrs.
Hewitt of Alabama, Post of Pennsylvania,
Hammond Of Georgia, Miller of New York
aud others.
A0fs A3 Alun Vi IAdoohShuSCNbs OA plSbo0u HIS
intention TO vote for the bill. He honored the
name of Jefferson though his political princi-
ples were not always correct, and it was fl that
Congress recognize by honoring bis only survi-
wing grandchild the services which Jefferson
rendered as one of the founders of liberty in
this land. These instances should and could
not be frequent, but it was wise public policy
to de honor in this way to the great men of
this country.
Mr.. j. s. Wise of Virginia also favored the
bill.
On motion of Mr.. Hewitt of Alabama the
exacting clause was stricken out-129 TO 60.
The committee then rose and the Heuse
ratified its action.
A bill was passed for the relief of Myron G.
Dunlap,
The speaker laid before the House COM
munication from the Secretary of War asking
for an appropriation of 1920, 800 for erection in
San Francisco of additional building for head
quarters Of the military division OF the Pacific
Referred.
The House then took a recess until 730.