St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-06
qhe Ho.ae Of Representntires.

The House Of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-On motion of Mr..
Blanchard bin was passed, making an ap-
preparation of ss1, 900 to supply the deficiency
in the amount required for the expenditures
to ascertain the depths of the water and the
width Of the channel in the south Mississippi
river, and to guage the waters of the Missis-
sipi river and its tributaries.
Mr.. Randall, from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported back the senate joint
resolution for an addition of $1,000 to the
contingent fund of the senate for witness
fees in the Danvlle investigation, with an
amendment, providing that the sum shall
only be available for the expenses of the in
vestigation heretofore ordered The amend
ment was adopted, and the joint resolution
passed,
Mr.. Ellis, from the same committee, re.
ported back adversely for the relief of the
sufferers by the overflow on the lower Mis-
sissippi valley, and by the cyclone in North
Carolina, 1t was laid on the table. Also,
favorably, a resolution requesting the secre-
tary of war to furnish the house from time
to time with information Of the progress of
the floods in the valley of the Mississippi and
exists such suffering as to justify measures
Of relief on the part of congress. Adopted.
Robinson, of Kentucky, from the commit
tee on elections, reported resolution IN
seating T. Luna, delegate from New Mexico,
and seating in his place, f. A. Manzanares.
Adopted. Manzanares appeared at the bar
of the house and took the oath.
Mr.. Lewis, from the committee on public
lands, reported a bill to repeal section %,
of the act incorporating the Texas Pacific
railroad company and to declare the forfeit
ure of the land grant therein made. Re-
ferred to the house calendar.
Mr.. Dunn, from the committee on COM
merce, reported bill providing for the re-
moyal of distinctions to free navigation of
the navigable waters of the United States.
Referred to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Collins, from committee on judici-
airy, reported bill to establish uniform
system of bankruptcy throughout the United
States. Referred TO the committee of the
whole.
The house then went into committee of
the whole, Mr.. Converse in the chair, on the
naval appropriation bill, pending an amend
ment, being that offered by Mcmillan, reduc-
ing the number of captains to thirty, the
number of commanders to fifty, and provid-
those grades until the number is reduced be-
low the numbers mentioned. McMillan's
amendment was lost.
Mr.. Calkins moved to strike out the provi-
sion prohibiting promotion in the various
grades in the line and staff Of the navy, until
such grades shall be reduced to the numbers
fixed by the naval act of 1882, and the
amendment adopted yesterday, reducing the
staff corps, was agreed to by So to 65.
Mr.. Belford moved to increase to $50, 0O0,-
600 the appropriation for emergencies and
extraordinary expenses, and made one of
his characteristic speeches, criticising the
Dem ocratic party for appropriating for these
emergencies the magnificent sum of SIS, 900.
Bismarck, viceroy of Germany had sent an
insulting message and in the very face Of it,
the majority of the house declared, if Ger
many made war on America, it would per-
petrate and protect the country's honor with
the magnificent sum of 900. He then
paid his respects to Randall, asserting, that
since the election in Philadelphia, that gen
tleman was as dead as Lazarus with no
Christ in sight to resurrect him.
Mr.. Cox, New York, sent to the clerks
desk and had read newspaper extract, ex-
planning the manner in which Belford had
contracted his dramatic manner Of speaking
as the clerk read the jocular account of that
gentleman's criticism of Mrs. Langtry, and
an exaggerated description Of his own per-
sonal appearance. The amendment was
withdrawn.
On motion Of Mr.. Randall an amendment
was adopted, providing that the amount ap-
propriated by the paragraph shall be appor
toned in monthly installments, and the ap-
portionment shall be adhered TO unless in
some emergency.
Mr.. Calkins raised point of order against
the paragraph reapprcpriating for the use Of
| the bureau on steam engineering the uneX-
pended balance of the appropriation Of $780,
900, of which about $4,000 was made by
the last naval bill for engines and machinery
for the double turretted monitor.
Mr.. Glascock supported the point of order,
! and pictured the defenseless condition of the
Pacific coast. The policy the house was pur-
suing in refusing to finish ironclads was bad
policy. While he believed in economy and
reform, he disbelieved in that economy or
reform in which 10000 miles of sea coast
were in an entirely defenseless condition.
The chair having overruled the point Of or
der, Mr.. Budd moved to strike out the para
! graph. He declared the defenses on the Pa
! cifc coast were insufficient to keep out second
omy but an outrage to prevent the construc-
| ton Of the ''Monadnock." What kind Of
vessels had they to protect the Pacific coastl
Sumner also bore testimony to the defense
less condition Of the Pacific coast. There
was little brick wall on Fort Point, which
would be but moments amusement to any
small boats which could be sent up from
Chill. There was natural defense on Al
cate's island, but as an Illustration of its
uselessness in the time Of emergency, he
stated that on 4th of July, from this island,
guns were fred for three hours at barge
forty yards distant, and finally man had to
be sent out with hand torpedo 70 blow it up.
| The motion was lost
An amendment was offered by Mr. Calkins,
uniting under one head the bureau Of
steam engine and construction and repairs.
Rejected. The committee then .ose
Mr. Tully, from the committee on public
lands, reported bill FORGETTING the Ontona
agon ane Brule river land grant. Placed on
the house calendar.
The land grant forfeited by this bill, is that
to the New Orleans, Baton Rouge & Vicks-
burg railway. Adjourned.