The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-13
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE

WASHINGTON. May II.
The chair laid before the Senate petition OF the
American medical association praying that steps pc
taken to prevent the spread of epidemic Diseases,
Mr.. Pendleton presented petitions from the Cin-
cinnati board of trade aud chamber of commerce
advocating increased efficiency in the navy and aid
for the New Orleans cotton exposition.
Mr.. Mcmillan from the committee on the judicia-
ry offered resolution which was agreed to author
izing that mittee to inquire into facts forming
the basis of bill recently introduced by Mr.. Gar
land to amend the Thurman bill relating to claims
of the government aginst the Union and Central
Pacific roads. The committee is authorized TO send
for persons and papers.
The Senate then took up a resolution to direct the
secretary of the interior to withhold from the
Northern Pacific road patents for certain land
grants.
dietary committee to report to the Senate its opin
ion whether or not it is competent for the Senabe
to direct an executive officer to suspend executon
of the laws.
In accordance with a suggestion from Mr.. Slater,
Mr. Van Wyck modified his resolution by substitute
ing the word Request for "Direct." The bill was
debated by Messrs. Van Wyck, Dolph and Conger
until O'Clock when it went over.
The chair laid before the Senate unfinished busi-
ness it being Mr. Beck's appeal from the decision
of the chair on Mr.. Harris point of order concern
ing the committee of conference on the shipping
bill. Pending this question Mr.. Dawes moved 20
take mp the Indian appropriation bill, which was
agreed to and the bill was debated at length by
Ne ssrs. Hawley, Vest Dawes and Hoar in favor OF
and ingalls, against it, at the conclusion of which
the Senate adjourned. .
HOUSE.
Among the bills introduced and referred this
morning was one by Mr. Cox of New York to place
Gen. Grant on the retired list. ~f
bill was also introduced by Mr.. Hewitt of New
York. to modify the existing laws relating to duties
on imports and internal revenue taxes, and to en-
large the free list,
On motion of Mr.. Lore, of Delaware, the Senate
bill was passed to prevent and punish counterfeiting
within the United States, of notes. bonds and other
securities of foreign governments.
petition from William Webster, citizen Of the
Unite States, who claims to have been unlawful ly
deprived of tract of land in New Zealand, was
placed on the House calendar.
The following new bills were introduced:
By MIR. Bedford of Colorado, to prevent the sud-
Den contraction OF the currency. 1t prohibits any
solvent national bank from retiring more than 10
per cent per annum its entire issue of notes. and
provides that any bank violating this prohibition
shall forfeit its charter.
BY Mr.. Payson OF Illinois, to restrict The owner
ship of real estate in the territories to American
citizens.
To place lumber on the free list.
To reduce the rates of duties on sugar 30 per
BY Mr.. Tucker, to repeal all internal revenue
taxes on tobacco and on brandy and wine from
fruits.
BY Mr.. Poland of Vermont, by request, to regu-
late commerce among the several States, and to
modify the Law relating to bills of exchange
By Mr.. Hewitt of New York, resoutioncalling
on the Secretary of the Navy for information to
the breaking up and sale of old ships.
Conference committees were appointed on the
Fitz John Porter bin and on the bill establish
bureau of animal industry.
The House then proceeded to business relating to
the District of Columbia.
Several district bills were passed including one
appropriating 100000 to complete the district
sewerage system: half of which amount shall be
charged TO the district and her prohibiting the
sale of lottery tickets and repeating laws requiring
commercial travellers to pay license tax.
Mr.. O'Neill of Missouri introduced bill provid-
ing that after July l. 1884, the following articles
be exempt from duty; Raw sugar not refined, mo
lasses, salt rice rye and barley, potatoes oatmeal
currants and raisins prunes peas and beans butter
and cheese live animals, vegetables anu chicory
M. O'Neil estimates his bill will accomplish
duetion of $57, 100000 in the revenues.
Adjourned.