Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-10
18th Congress---Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.
 SENATE.-After again disagreeing on the naval appropriation bill, passed by the House at the last session, and refusing to take up an Oregon railroad land grant bill because it would interfere with the one making State of southern Dakota, by strictly party vote Republicans 30, Democrats 29), and agree ing to consider the latter Republican 34, Democrats 25), the Senate debated the bill authorizing the postmaster-gene to stop registered letters and money orders relating to lotteries. Messrs. Hoar and Morgan op- posed it as intellectual and illegal, but it was passed.
 The bill to give the court of claims juris diction to adjudicate the French spoliation claims was passed without debate.
 At o'clock the Senate entered upon the unfinished business, which was the bill ad- hitting the territory of Dakota south of the forty-sixth parallel of north lati- Mr. Harrison explained that it was proposed to constitute that portion of the existing ter ritory of Dakota which was not affected by this bill into a territory to be named Lincoln and to transfer to that territory the officers of the United States who are now doing duty over the whole territory. He asserted that ninety per cent. of the people desired the division of the territory and he dep1 coated 8 political discussion as unworthy of the inn portance of the question. The area of the new State would be seventy-seven thousand square miles. The new territory of Lincoln would comprise 72, 100 square miles. It had been contended that population equal to the unit of representation in the House of Representatives should be the basis of ad- mission as a State. The record showed that not one territory admitted into the Union since Missouri has possessed that population But even if that test were to be adopted it could easily be demonstrat- ol4 4Lo4 no1yo ofo rod oA fba time a population in excess of 151 ,000, which was the present basis of representation. In order to lift this question above the low plane of political effect on this party or that party, the bill introduced at the last session had provided that the admission of Dakota should not take place till after the presiden- tial election. That election had been held under the control of the Democratic party It must be four years more before Dakota could enter the electoral college. Would anyone suggest that with her great resources and her intelligent population she must be kept four years longer from representation as a States
 Mir. Vest rose to reply, but yielded to an executive session at $50. At 4:I2 the doors were reopened and the Senate adjourned The Senate in executive session confirmed the following nominations: James Harlan, of Iowa, to be presiding judge of the court of | commissioners of Alabama claims; Walter Q. Gresham, of Indiana, to be United States circuit judge seventh Indiana circuit. The Spanish commercial treaty was laid before the Senate to-day in executive session.
 HoUsE-A petition from the New York 1 chamber of commerce was presented for the better protection of that city's harbor. Mir. Chalmers, of Mississippi, introduced 1 a bill to restore republican form of govern ment to the State of Mississippi. Referred. Some derisive laughter from the Democratic side greeted the reading of the title of this bill. The bill provides that Congressional and State elections shall be held on the same day in that State. Each candidate for Con- gress shall be permitted to appoint in writ l ing one inspector and one clerk at each vot- | idg precinct, who shall be permitted to wit ness all the proceedings. It is made crime punishable by fine and imprisonment for any person to assault, intimidate, threaten, or in 1 suit any inspector or clerk.
 The consideration of the interstate com merce bill having been resumed, MT. Barks- dale, of Mississippi, addressed the House ir | 8 constitutional argument in support oi 1 the right of Congress to legislate upon the | subject.
 NIT. Davis, of Illinois, advocated the com
 mission feature of the bill, but did not con ! sider the necessity for legislation as urgen