Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-08
FORTY-IIGnTn COyURBSS.
sen ATE.
WASHINGTON, Nav

sen ATE.
WASHINGTON, May Z.
The chair laid before the Senate message
from the President. transmitting q copy of
the report of the Utah commission; also q
message relating to the worlds exposition at
New Orleans.
A bill vas introduced by Mr.. Edmunds to
place Ulysses s. Grant on the retired army
list; referred.
The Senate resumed consideration of the
shipping bill.
Mr.. Vest opposed tonnage tax and moved
q substitute which MIR. Frye accepted, abol-
ishing all tonnage dues on United States ves-
sells on entering United States ports, and
only retaining such dues on vessels of foreign
countries discriminating in like manner
against the United States, providing that
nothing contained therein should impair the
force of any treaty.
The section providing for the compensation
for ocean carriage of mails gave rise to much
discussion. 1t permits the payment of a sum
not exceeding 81 q mile each way Of actual
miles run for carrying the United States
mail between any port Of the United States
and any foreign ports, but the service shall
be performed under contract with the lowest
responsible bidder and agree that the amount
to be paid for such service shall not exceed
the amount received by the United States
from the foreign mail service during the
year preceding the contract, less than the
amount paid for such carriage on foreign
vessels.
MIR. Mcpherson said he saw no reason for
paving vessels for coming back, since on the
return voyage they would by bringing the
letters of foreign government and not of
the United States. He would amend accord
ingly.
long debate followed on the subject of
subsidies and the tariff generally.
MIR. Morgan gave notice that tomorrow he
would move an amendment providing for the
admission of foreign ships to the American
registry on payment OF SIS per ton for iron
and steel vessels and $40 per ton for wooden
vessels. such vessels to be used in foreign
and coastwise trade.
Mr. Frye obtained consent that the debate
should close tomorrow at o'clock,
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The French spoilation claims bill was re-
ported and referred.
Mr. Stewart of Texas, from the committee
on foreign affairs, reported bill authorizing
the appointment of three commissioners to
visit the principal countries of South and
Central America and Mexico, for the purpose
of collecting information looking to the
strengthening of friendly and material advan-
tageous relations between the United States
and other nationalities; referred to a com
mittee of the whole.
| Mr.. Rosecrans of California, from the
committee on military affairs, reported res
olution directing the committeeto investigate
the present management of soldiers homes !;
calendar.
| Mr.. Woodward & Wisconsin, from the
committee on librsr) reported joint resolu-
ton for the completion Of a monument to
Mary, mother of Washington referred.
The river and harbor appropriation bill
was reported and it was ordered printed and
recommitted.
The House then proceeded to the consider
alton of the business on the speakers table.
| The Senate amendment to the House bill
repeating the iron-clad oath was, on motion
of Mr.. Cox of New York, concurred in.
| The next bill on the table was that for the
relief of Fitz John Porter with the Senate
amendments.
| Mr.. Keifer moved to refer the bill to the
military committee.
Mr.. Belford thought the motion for refer
erence was q stealthy attempt to do injustice
to man who had already been treated un-
justly according to the testimony of Gen.
Grant.
| Mr.. Sloan of New York moved TO non
concur in the Senate amendment.
Mr.. Bayne, of Pennsylvania moved con-
currenee. He said that the bill as passed by
the Senate was substantially the same as the
bill as passed by the House. The Senate
had only modified the measure, making n
more explicit proposition that it should not
carry back pay. Messrs. Cutcheon. Mich aud
Hiscock opposed the bill later on constitu-
tional grounds.
Mr.. Keifer, of OHIO, spoke in severe terms
of Mr.. Porter, and Mr.. Slocum said he was
glad the gentleman from Ohio had attacked
Mr. Porter.
Mr.. Porter would be glad of it, because
he would regard what the gentleman said as
compliment, and it would be so regarded by
the country. He (Sloam) had only been sur
prised that the gentleman from Ohio had not
| summoned Chas. Garfield and Mr.. Elder to
sustain the cause in this instance as he had
done few days ago. Applause on the demo-
cratic side and Kisses from the republican.
| Mr. Keifer replied that he had supposed
! the gentleman would get down to something
or other in the peculiar exingency of the
case Of Mr.. Porter, which was beneath the
dignity Of the member. After further debate
| the motion to refer the bill was lost, and the
Senate amendments non-cencurred in.
| The Senate amendmints were non-con-
Cured to the bill establishing a bureau of
animal industry.
! A resolution was adopted announcing the
| intention of the House 70 attend in q body
the unveiling of the statue of Chief Justice
Marshall Saturday next.
Adjourned.
A BROKEN RAIL