Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-11
XLVIiiTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON. December 10. 1881.

| UT tut iuits
The Chsir laid before the Senate an inyi.
tation TO that body from the Commission-
ors OF the New Orleans Exposition 10 psr.
ticipaic In the opening Of the Exposition
on the l6'b instant. The communication
was laid on the table, that bc,ng the usual
formal disposition OF such document In the
Senate when no special or immediate dis
position is demanded by anv senator.
House resolution for continuing the work
Of The Census Bureau was laid before tue
Senate, and, on motion Of Mr.. Hale, was
read three times and passed.
Mr.. Vance submitted Joint resolution,
which was referred TO the Committee on
Military Affairs, providing for the return
TO the State OF North Carolina Of copies OF
the official letter books OF ill., executive de.
pertinent.
Mr.. BLAIR submitted resolution. which
went over till tomorrow, instruciing the
Committee on Naval Affairs TO investigate
Captain John Ericsson's new system Of
naval defence. especially his submarine
| gun and torpedo, and inquire whether the
same are about 20 be purchased for the eX.
elusive use OF any foreign power, and
whether prudent provision for the national
| defence requires the purchase OF such in
| vCntlons 10y the United States Government.
|
| fcTred 10 the helpless condition OF our sea-
| coast and the necessity OF investigating in
vtnlions OF the character OF these before
undertaking TO provide the enormous sum
necessary to place the United States in a
complete condition of naval efficiency and
sCa-coast defence.
| Mr.. Vest, on behalf OF the Committee on
| Commerce, requested that that committee
| be discharged from the consideration OF the
iutcr.ocean sbip-railway hill. Mr.. Vest
stated that ne bad received a letter from
| Captain Eads saying that certain changes
| had been made in the concession from
| Mexico which made 1t necessary to WITH
draw the bill. The committee was accord
| ingly discharged from the consideration OF
| the bill; which was ordered to he with
drawn from the senate files.
At2 O'Clock the Dakota bill was taken
up. Mr.. Vest addressed the Senate in
| opposition TO the admission OF Dakota.
| Thee was nothing Of partsanship. he said,
| in his opposition. lie did not pretend 20
be free from partisanship. He was devoted
TO the principles OF the Democratic party,
but he was here to discuss the question en-
tirely on IFS merits. Very few Territories.
however, had been admitted to the Union
without party struggle and debate.
The Territories themselves had always
felt the influence Of the party DOM
inant IN the nation. When the M.
tiOnal Administration was Democratic
the Territories were Democratic; when
Republican, the Territories were Republic
can. Addressing himself 10 the merits OF
the question, Mr.. Vest said that the Con-
stitution had placed no limitation on the
power OF Congress TO admit new States.
There was no need for the admission OF
new States TO strengthen the Union, and
there was not enough population in Dl-
kota 10 entitle ii TO two senators and one
representative in Congress. The demands
said TO have been made since 1870
for the admission Of the Territory had
been demands of ambitious pOliti-
cians. Men who were ready to cut
each others throats, politically and physi-
cally, bad been urging these "demands.'
General Grant had been credited. Mr. Vest
said. with the statement while President.
that Dakota gave him mere trouble than all
the other Territories put together; that the
trouble there was that there were two
streets in Yankton, and when one street
did anything or got anything done the
other street rebelled and would require
almost all the civil ard military power OF
the United States to keep peace between
the factions. MIR. Vest sent TO the desk
and the Secretary read a number OF
petitions opposing the admission OF the
Territory, and ascribiDg the desire for the
admission to the ambition OF politicians
who wished TO 90 to the United States
Congress. Mr.. Vest said that the project
to divide the Territory was unnecessary.
At tie conclusion Of Mr.. Vests remarks
the Senate went into executive session, and
when the doors were reopeDed adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
The Speaker laid before the House com.
munication from 4. Nj. Scales. representa-
/ tive from the Fifth North Carolina district,
announcing that he had forwarded to the
/ Governor Of that Stale his resignation, to
| take effect December Both. Laid on the
table.
| The House then. at 1915, went into Com
mIttec Of the Whole (lir. Cox, OF New
| York. in the chair on the Miltary-Acade-
! my appropriation bill. 1T appropriates
| S309.171, being a reduction OF SLIP from
! the appropriation for the current year, and
/ SS3,573 less than the estmateS.l
Mr.. Keller Offered an amendment pro-
| viding that hereafter all appointments to
| the grade OF second lieutenant IN the army
shall be contlGed TO graduates OF the Mill
| try Academy and to meritoriouS nom
| commissioned officers recommended for
/ promotion i'm the manner now provided by
| law.
/ Mr.. Randall said that the amendment had
| not been considered IN the Committee on
! Appropriations, and he would prefer that
| the committee should have time TO inquire
into the propriety Of adopting such a
| measure.
Mr.. Keller said his proposition was to
secure a position in the army Tor the West
| Point graduates
Mr. Rosecranz. OF California, could not
see why the amendment should not be
adopted Its effect was TO limit the ap-
pointing power OF the President, but he
thought this limitation proper in time Of
peace. He suggested that the amendment
he modified 10y including enlisted men
| within lis provisions. and by making the
law inapplicable i'm time Of foreign war.
Mr.. Kei'cr accepted the suggestions,
! ard the amendment, as modified, was
adopted.
! At 1:15 i. VI. the committee rose and re-
/ ported the bill TO the House. a yea and
/ nay vote having been demanded on Mr..
+ Refers amendment, egreed to in commit
tee, il was deieatod-yeas, SS nays. 800.
| The bill was then passed.
on motion OF Mr. Morrison, the Com
mittee Of the Whole was discharged from
further consideration Of the Presidents
annual message. Mr.. Morrison then Of.
feTcd resolution, winch was adopted
! without debate or opposition, distributing
the message appropriately among the
Standing and select committees OF the
! House. So much Of the message a. relates
to the revenue provision OF the revenue
treaty with Hawaii, Mexico, and Spain. Is
referred to The Committee on Ways and
Means.
MIR. Morrison offered resolution pro-
yiGing for holiday recess from December
Esd until The 9th OF January. Referred.
MIR. Cox, chairman Of the Committee on
! Naval Affairs, reported back the resolution
asking the President for information show
ing the authority OF the law by which GER
tam cOmmodores Of the navy have been
] given the rank Of acting rear-admiral,
when. as Is alleged, no vacancy existed TO
/ Justify such action. Adopted.
| The House then resumed consideration
Of the interstate commerce bill. In reply
TO The question by Mr.. Townshend, OF I'LL.
nois. Mr. Reagan expressed the hope that 4
vote on the dill would be reached to-mor-
! low.
Dir. Townshend said that in that case he
would call up the Mexican pension hill as
soon as the pending measure had been dis
| ,,ox.d a