The Portland daily press., 1884-12-02
XLVIIIth Congress--2d Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. L.
The opening of the session IN the Senate was pre-
ceded by lively half hour of hand shaking and
gossip between Senators and their friends Several
Of the desks of Senators were decorated with floral
tributes cent by their admirer the most favored in
this respect being 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 Lap
ham were variously decorated with horseshoes,
stars and baskets. The galleries were is usual
on opening days, well filed with strangers.
Promptly at noon the President of the Senate
called that body to ORDER and PRAYER offered by
Rev. DR.. huntley, Chaplain of the Senate. He
prayed for such vng of fraternal intercourse
among all the people of the Uni ed States snd such
plans for mutual hepfulness that sectional ambi-
lion might be- seen only in that healthful rivalry
wherein each should strive to outdo the other in
benefit ing Il. He made a fitting alusion to the
death of Senator Anthony.
On motion of Mr.. Logan, the Secretary was in
strueted to inform The House OF Representatives
that quorum of the Senate was assembled, and
the Senate was ready 10 proceed to business.
Messrs. Sherman and Carl and were appointed
committee TO inform the President that the Senate
ready to receive any communication he might
On motion of Mr. Dawes, the hour of daily meet
ing of the Senate, until otherwise ordered was
fixed at IL O'Clock noon.
The chair laid before the Senate, and the secre-
tary read the credentials of Hon. Nm. P. Sheffield,
who had been appointed by the Governor of Rhode
Island to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
The Senate then, at 1910 O'Clock, took a recess
of thirty minutes.
At The expiration of the recess the Senate pro-
ceesea 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. Culou, 70 hereafter prohibit distinctions
hosv1 de if, hA Of fbA TIniya ad
States against any class Of American citizens also
to enable officers of the army who promoted
for gallant and distinguished services in the of
the rebellion to be retired with the rank and full
pag OF the grade TO which they were promo ed;
also co facilitate promotions throughout the army
by retiring from active service upon their ap-
plication officers of the army VINO served iD the
war of the rebellion; also to authorize lighting of
the nsvgable rivers of the United States with cleo
BY Mr. Dolph of Oregon, to prevent obstruction
of navigaole waters OF the United States and to
protect public works against trespass or injury also
to authorize the transfer of one OF the vessels OF
the Greedy relief expedition to the Treasury De-
partment for revenue cutter, and the retention of
the OF her two for use in the navy.
a message was received from the House of Repre-
sentatives, announcing that body to be ready to
proceed to business.
Mr. ingalls, offered resolution which was agreed
10, instructpg the committee on pubic lanos to re-
port such legislation as may be necessary to author
ize the Secretary of the Interior to summariy re-
move all fences Illegally constructed on the public
DOMAIN of the United States.
On motion of Mr.. Hawley, at 1886 p. another
recess of half an hour taken.
At l .35 O'Clock the Presidents message was
ceived by the Senate, and its reading at once pro-
ceeded with. lit is printed in full elsewhere.1
The reading of the message wss listened to with
deep interest. 1t was concluded at 2.25 p. M.
when Mr.. Aldrlch in few feeling words made the
formal announcement of Senator Anthony's DEATH
and stated that at future day the Senate would be
asked to give fitting expr ssion to its appreciation
of the distinguished public services and private vir-
tues of the deceased Senator as mark of respect
to Senator Anthony's memory.
The Senate then, at 2.25 p. m, adjourned until
tomorrow.
Though the galleries of the House were well filed
this morning with spectators anxious TO view the
proceedings attendant upon the first day of the ses
son there was absence of that crush of visitors
which usually charscterizes such an occasion. The
appearance of the chamber is unchanged, save for
the general air of cleanliness which the revarnsh-
ing Of the desks lends The ball. Numerous floral
designs orRamented the desks of faVorite members,
and among them handsome ship of State, of
which Mr. Cox of New York was tie recipient was
noticeable. An immense bed of Chrysanthsmums
covered the desk occupied by j. s. Barbour of Viz
ginia. and tasteful basket of variegated flowers
adorned the Speakers table. The members indulg-
ed in the usual greetings. exchanging congratula-
on reelection or of coincidence defeat. he
blicans made good-natured replies to tn
ly good -natured chatting of the Democrats on
esulG Of the presidential contest, and no bitter
was manifested ON either side.
asSrtly at noon the Speakers gavel called the
,.a p orir. In his opening prayer the chap
h1uss atm svs W thamfs the members had been peE-
mitted to return in heaftseo s@ieeS W 'neif 4ess
lative duties N~ust,a clark In call tina
roll The rol-call disclosed the I @ no AZ
members more than quorum, and ths II Mso @ uis
rected to inform the Senate tha6 the
ready TO proceed to business: ,,,
The Speaker appointed Messrs Randall, Cox OF
New York and Browne of Indiana, as committee
to wait upon the President in conjunction with a
similar committee from the Senate, ana ln5ot ~
bm that Congress is ready to receive any commune
o.t.on he m<y be pleased to make.
M Holman of Indiana, present eo tne crenen-
tiais of B. T. Shryeey, as the mem m6er,eleet IRON
tie 18th Ii diaua district, to succeed W. Calklps
ressne0 and that gentleman appeared at the par OF
the House and took the cath of Office:
At 1926 the House took recess tor 10 minutes
At the expiration of the recess, the House lol
awaited the return of the committee appointed te
wait on the President and it was not until l.os
tnat Mr. Randall as chairman of the committee re-
rorted that the President would transmit NrltteI
Communication to the House forthwith one min
ute later the Presidents private secretary-Pruoel
-appeared with the Presidents annual message
and it was Immediately read by tne CLERK. 4oo, -
The 4ge was listened 10 with great deai
attention. The message was referred 70 the com
nittee OF the whole, ana with the accompany lbs
documents ordered printed.
Mr. Cox of New York, presented petitions OF tne
business men and seamen of New York city, for
mo ihcatlon of the shipping law, so as to permit
seaman to give an allotment note TO ms creuitor 10
any Just debt by him owing and accrulng before nj
engagement. Referred, i.
Mr Frmentrout of Pennsylvania, announcei t
4he House the death of Representative Duncan o
Pennsylvania, and presented appropriate eresolt
Mr. Aiken of South Carolina, presented a simia
resolution relative to the death of RepresentatlV
evans of South Carolina, ana at 90 as a marx
respect to the memory OF deceased, the House az
sourned