Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-02
FORTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
WAsHINGroN. De

WAsHIAGTOS, Dec. i.
The opening OF the session in the Senate
was preceded by lively half hour Of hand
shaking and gossip between the senators and
their friends. Several of the desks of the
senators were decorated with floral tributes
sent by their admirers. The most favored in
this respect was Senator German, who was
the recipient of two enormous roosters and
an arm chair, the latter bearing the words !:
Reserved for P. G., 1887" Senator Jonas
desk also bore rooster, while those of
Senators Ingalls,, Maxey, Harris, Sabin,
voorhees,, Camden, Conger and Lapham were
variOusly decorated with horse-shoes, stars
and baskets.
The galleries were, as is usual on opening
days, we'll filled with strangers.
Promptly at noon the president of the
Senate called the body to order. PRAYER
was offered by Rev. DR.. Huntley, chaplain of
the Senate. He prayed for such conserving
of fraternal intercourse among all the people
of the United States, and such plans for
mutual helpfulness that sectional ambition
might be seen only in that healthful rivalry
wherein each should strive to outdo the other
in benefitting all. He made fitting allusion
to the death of Senator Anthony.
On motion of Mr.. Logan the secretary as
Instructed to inform the House of Repres.
assembled and that the Senate was ready to
proceed to business.
Messrs. Sherman and Garland were ap-
pointed committee to inform the President
that the Senate was ready to receive any
communication he might be pleased to make.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes the hour for
daily meeting of the Senate, until otherwise
ordered, be fixed at l2 o'clock noon.
The cnair laid before the Senate and the
secretary read the credentials of Hon. VIM.
p Sheffred, who had been appointed by the
Governor of Rhode Island, to I'LL the vac
ancy caused by the death of Senator Anthony.
The Senate then at IL. 10 took a recess of 80
minutes.
At the expiration of the recess the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the usual
morning business. After the presentation of
sundry petitions, bills were introduced and
appropriately referred. among them the
following BY Mr.. Cullom, to hereafter
prohibit distinctions being made in the mill
tary service of the United States against any
class of American citizens. Also to enable
officers of the army who were promoted for
gallant and distinguished services in the war
of the rebellion to retire with the rank and
full pay of the grade to which they were so
promoted, also to facilitate promotions
throughout the army by retiring from active
service, upon their own application, officers
of the army who served in the war of the
rebellion. Also to authorize lighting of the
navigable rivers of the us. with electricity
by Dolph of Oregon, to prevent obstruction
of the navigation waters of the u. s., and to
protect public works against trespass or
injury. Also to authorize the transfer of one
of the vessels of the Greely relief expedition
to the treasury department for a revenue
cutter and the retention of the other two for
use in the navy.
A message was received from the House of
Representatives announcing that body to be
ready to proceed to business.
Mr.. Ingalls, offered resolution, which was
agreed to, instructing the committee on pub
lie lands to report such legislation as NAV
be necessary to authorize the secretary of the
interior to summarily remove all fences
illegally constructed on the public domain of
the United States.
On motion of Mr.. Hawley at 1855 P. NJ
another recess of half an hour was taken.
At l,35 the Presidents message was re-
ceived and its reading at once proceeded
with The reading of the message was
listened to with deep interest.
1t was concluded at 2.25 p. M, when Mr..
Aldrich, in few feeling words, made the
formal announcement of Senator Anthony's s
death and stated that at a future day the
Senate would be asked to give a fitting ex-
preston to its appreciation of his disting-
uished public services and private virtues of
the deceased senator.
As a mark of respect to Senator Anthony 9
memory the Senate then, at 2.25 2. NJ, ad-
journed until tomorrow.