The Portland daily press., 1884-05-21
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. May 20.
After the transaction of routine morning
business, the chair laid before the Senate the
resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Van Wyck
relating to a land grant of the New Orleans'
Baton Rouge & Vicksburg Railroad Company,
and on motion of Mr.. Allison, and without OBJ
lection by Mr.. Van Wyck, the resolution was
referred to the committee on public lands ior
its opinion and report as to the propriety OF the
proposed enquiry. t
Mr. Blair offered a concurrent resolution for
reference to the committee on education ana
labor, providing for the printing OF lVO,Uoo
copies of the report of the committee on the re-
lations between labor and capital. The resolu-
tion was referred as requested.
Mr. Slater offered resolution which lies
over one day under rule, requesting the Fres-
ident to inform the Senate by what authority
commissioners have been appointed from ume
to time to examine and report on sections OF
the Northern Pacific Railroad which were con-
structed and completed subsequent to the time
within which by law the road was required TO
be completed.
On motion of Mr.. Lapham, the Senate took
mp, read a third time and passed bill extend
ing TO August, 1886, the time to commence lay
ing the cable authorized by the act of August
s, 1882.
In reply to an inquiry by Mr.. ingalls, as to
whom the parties interested in the bill were,
Mr.. Lapham said they were mainly citizens OF
New York and Philadelphia. Mr.. Lapham
structed under law OF Congress and amenable
to law, none of the existing ocean cables being
under control or direction of law. The new
company expected to send eight or ten mes
sages simultaneously over the same wire.
The agricultural appropriation billswas TAX
en- up and proceeded with By sections. One of
the amendments added to the bill by the Sem
ate committee appropriates $20,0 900 for continu-
ing the location and sinking of artesian wells
on the plains with a view to reelaiming arid
and waste public lands. --s
To this provision Mr.. Beck objected, saying
that private capital would sink such wells
whenever they were required if they could be
made q success.
Mr.. Hale said that if the work did not prove
satisfactory the coming year he would favor
discontinuance of the effort in that direction.
Considerable discussion arose on an amend
ment by the suggestion of Mr.. Cockerell that
the appropriation be limited to one WE'LL
Mr.. Hale moved TO make the limit two
wells. Agreed to-28 to %.
Another addition made to the bill BY the
Senate committee was $15, 600 for the encour-
agement of silk culture. The only changes of
Importance made by the Senate are an increase
in the amount of the appropriation from S16,-
600 to $4,000, addition of the item of $4,000
the item of $15, 900 for encouraging the devel-
opment of silk culture.
Adjourned.
In the House bill was passed declaring the
bridge across the Niagara river post route.
Mr.. Ellis of Louisiana, from the committee
on appropriations, asked leave to report
joint resolution making an additional appro-
priation of 100000 for the relief of sufferers
from the overflow of the Mississippi river and
its tributaries. 1t was objected to.
On motion OF Mr.. Slocum of New York the
Senate amendments to the Dingley shipping
bill were concarred in.
A number of reports were submitted by
various committees and placed upon appro-
pirate calendars, and the House proceeded to
the consideration of the Indiana contested
election case of English against Peele
The majority resolution declares VIM. e.
English to be duly elected a member of the
Forty-eighth Congress.
Mr.. Lowry of Indiana addressed the House
in favor Of English, and pending debate the
House adjourned.