The Portland daily press., 1884-12-11
XLVIIIth Congress-2d Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec 10.
In the Senate today Mr.. Sherman presided. He
laid before the Senate an invitation to that BODY
from the commissioners of the New Orleans exposi-
ton to participate in the opening of the exposition
on the 10th inst. The communication was laid on
the table, that being the usual formal disposition of
such documents in the Senate when no special or
immediate disposition is demanded.
The House joint resolution for continuing the
work of the census bureau laid before the Sem
ate. and on motion of Mr.. Hale was read three
times and passed.
Mr. Blair submitted a resolution, which went
over till tomorrow. instructing the committee on
naval affairst to investigate Capt. John Ericsson 8
lew system of naval defense especially his sub
marine gun and torpedo and to inquire whether the
same are about to be purchased for the exclusive
use of any foreign power. and whether prudent
provision for national defence requires the purchase
of such invention by the government
Mr.. Vest. on behalf of the committee on com
merce, requested that the commit ee be DISCHARGED
from the consideration of the inter-oceanic shin
railway bill on account of certain changes in the
concession from Mexico which made it necessary to
withdraw the bin. The request was accordinely
granveIa ana tne oil was ordered to be withdrawn
forfeiture bill.
At O'Clock the bill was laid aside until tomnrrov
and the Dakota bill taken up
Mr.. Vest addressed the Senate in opnosition 10
the admission of Dakota, aud sent 10 the desk and
the secretary read number of petitions opposing
the admission of the territory aud ascribing the de-
sire for admission to the ambition of politicians no
wished to go to Congress. MIR Vest said that the
project to divide the territory was unnecessary.
There were no natural barriers of mountain or
river OF interest or sentiment to divide the terri
tory or the people. The 'engineerng', of the ad-
mission scheme Mr. Vert ascribed 10 Gov Oriway
upon whose industry and solicitude it reflected
great credit, but the trouble was that there
were too many statesmen In Dakota and
they were given to calling conventions. But was
the United States Senate body record the edcts
OF politician junctas?
At the conclution of Mr.. Vests remarks the
Senate went into executive session and later ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House communica-
tion from A. NJ Scales Representative from the 9th
district of North Carolina, announcing that he had
forwarded to the Governor of that State his resgna
ion TO take effect December 80 1t was laid on the
table.
The House then at 1915 went into committee of
the whole on the military academy appropriation
BILL 1t appropriates $3os,771. being SS3,573 less
than the estimates.
Mr.. Keifer of Ohio offered an amendment proyid-
ing that hereafter all appointments to the grade of
second lieutenant in the army shall be confined to
graduates of the military academy and to meritori-
GUS non-cOmmssioDed officers recommended for pro-
motion in the manner now provided for by law.
Mr. Ro ecraus of California suggested that the
amendment be modified by including listed men
and by making the law inapplicable in time of
foreign war,
Mr.. Keifer accepted the suggestions. and the
amendment as modified was adopted.
At 10 the committee rose and reported the bill
to the House. yea and nay vote having been de-
manded on Mr.. Keifer's amendment agreed 10 in
committee, it was defeated-yeas So NAYS $50 and
the bill then passed.
The committee of the whole was discharged from
further consideration of the Presiient's ANIMAL
message and resolution adopted distributing the
message among committees.
Mr.. Morrison off rel a resolution providing for n
holiday recess from the 23d of December until the
9th of January. Referred.
Mr.. Phelps OF New Jersey introduced Joint rrs-
olution appropri iting 100000 TO enable the peo-
pie OF the United States to participate ia The
exposition to be held il Antwerp ia 1885 Re
ferred
Mr. Cox of New York reported back from the
naval affairs committee a resolution asking the
law by which cert<in comm ,dores of the navy have
been given the rank of acting re4r admirals when
as is alleged. no vacancy existed to Justify such ac
ton. Adopted.
The House then resumed consideration OF the in
ter-State commerce bill but without action the mat
ter went over.
The Speaker submitted message from the Presi-
dent showing the necessity of immediate legis atou
for the purpose of bringing the statutes of the
United States into conformity with the internation-
al regulations for preventing collisions at sea
which have been adopted by all the leading mari
time powers Of the world except this eeuatry. Re
ferred.
Adjourned,