Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-26
PORTY.EIGHVR COxGRESS.
First SessiOn.
sen ATE.
WAsHINGroN, April %.

WASHINGTON, April %.
MI. Sherman, from the committee on
library, reported favorably and the
Senate read three times and passed a
Joint resolution, authorizing the chancellor
OF the Smithsonian Institution to appoint an
acting secretary for the institution to act in
the absence of Mr.. Baird.
Proceeding to the calendar the Senate took
up the bill reported by Mr.. Plumb from the
committee on agriculture, to enlarge the
powers and duties of the department of ag-
riculture. The bill enlarges that department
70 an executive department of the government
under the supervision Of the secretary of ag-
rlculfure, to receive the same salary az the
secretaries of other executive departments.
Mr. kenna offered . substitute, but as Mr..
nayard thought the subject too important 10
De disposed of or properly debated without
a careful examination of the measures pre-
seated, it went over for the present.
Mr.. Blair reported favorably the House
bill to establish and maintain a bureau of
labor; also the bill introduced BY him to
provide for the study of the effects of intoxi.
cation, narcotic and poisonous substances on
life, health and welfare among the people of
the territories and the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Wilson addressed the Senate on his
resolution recently submitted and several bills
already introduced, relating to interstate
commerce. He reviewed the history of rail-
road growth in the United States and said for
the many complications resulting from
growth the national and state governments
were largely responsible. They little thought
free servants may become master, and they
refrained from hamperipg and restraining
the railroads. The demand of the people in
all parts of the country was that railroads
should be put under the control that expe-
rience had shown to necessary. The rail-
roads denied the right of Congress to regu-
late them. In fact the railroad interest had
became so strong as to make the denial
squarely. This was the strongest symptom
that could be prese' ted Of the nece ssity for
regulation. He characterized as monstrous
and intolerable the discrimination made by
the railroad companies, not only against the
places but different people doing business in
the same place. The resolution on the mo-
ton of Mr.. Wilson, was referred to the CON-
mittee on railroads.
The pleuro pneumonia bill was taken up
and argued against by Mr.. Jones of Florida.
He saw in it several constitutional objections.
Mr.. Williams supported the bill.
message was received from the House
announcing non-concurrence in the Senate
amendments to the post office appropriation
bill.
On motion or Mr.. Plumb the Senate in
sisted on the amendments and the chair ap-
pointed q conference committee.
Another message was announced that the
House had agreed to the report of the con-
ference committee on the differences in re-
gard to the special deficiency bill.
On motion of Mr.. Allison the Senate
agreed.
The chair announced the committee of con
fbo md
the Senate adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
The House at IL 05 went into committee
of the whole on the private calendar.
Up to 3. 30 o'clock the time of the COM
mttee was consumed in the consideration of
the the bill for the relief of Mira Clark
Gaines. At that hour the committee rose to
enable Mr.. Randall to submit the conference
report on the deficiency bill. The report
was agreed and the committee of the whole
resumed its session.
After further discussion the Gaines bill
was laid aside with favorable recommen-
dation.
1t authorizes the issue of patents for so
much of 3S. 457 acres claimed by Mrs. Gaines,
as have not been disposed of by the United
States and provides that she be paid at the
rate of 81 25 per acre for such as have been
disposed of.
After acting favorably on several bills the
committee arose.
The unfinished business was the bill for
the relief of certain soldiers from the charge
of desertion.
Mr. Steele of Indiana, moved to refer the
bill to the committee on military affairs.
Pending the vote the House took a recess
until 7.30.
The House at the evening session passed
fifteen pension bills and then adjourned till
tomorrow.