The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-01-31
THE FORTY EIGHTH CONGRESS
SENATE.
noy2e

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %. - Senator
Blair introduced a bill to provide fol
the free circul"tion of newspapers ant
other periodical publications within
the state where they are published
Referred.
Senator Sherman called up his reso.
luton on the Virginia and Mississippi
Senator Lamar hoped the consider.
,l5ctions.
alton would be postponed till Monday.
Senator Sherman had no objection
provided it would not lose its position
to consideration. Resolution went
over till Monday.
Senator Miller, of California, pre-
sented petition from the chamber of
commerce of San Francisco, praying
to increase the strength and efficiency
of the navy board.
| The committee on finance reported
tavorably on the bill providing for the
| issue OF circulating notes of national
banking associations. Placed on the
calender.
The House having disagreed to the
Senate amendment to the Greeley re-
lief bill, the Senate insisted on its
amendment and committee Of con
ference was appointed.
Senator Beck called up his bill, in
tended to prohibit the secretary Of the
treasury from purchasing bonds above
par. He was Of the opinion that if
our revenues go on increasing beyound
the needs as at present, and purchases
are made by the treasurer as he sees
fit, there will be quite as much inSta..
blllty in bonds as in bank circulation
based on them. The intention of the
act was that the secretary should buy
such bonds as the government had the
right to redeem at par, instead Of buy
ing UP those bonds now at high
premium. He thought it a better
plan to accumulate less surplus and
thus reduce taxation.
Senator Morrill, said it was profitable
considering the time 4 per cents had to
run, to buy them even at II or IL per
cent; the fact that our bonds were at
premium should not be subject of
reproach, but compliment. The bill
was referred to the finance committee.
The bill passed donating part OF
the Fort Smith military reservation
to the city of Fort Smith for the ben
eft of public schools.
The Alaska bill was then taken up.
Senator Harrison moved to amend so
as to pay the actual travelling ex-
penses OF the marshal and a salary of
$500 besides vOuchers,ito be approved
by the judge. Agreed to.
The consideration of the bill having
been completed and adopted in
committee of the whole, it was report
ed to the Senate, the only reservation
being on the prohibition clause; that
clause prohibits the importation and
manufacture and sale OF intoxicating
liquors in Alaska, except for medical
purposes, and led TO quite a long
debate, and the bill passed with the
prohibition retained.
Senator Hoar then called up his bill
providing for the performance OF
duties of the president IN case of re-
moVal by death, resignation or inabil-
ity Of the president or vice president.
1t was read three times and passed.
In contingency Of the bill vests the
right to perform presidential duties
in the secretary Of state, in case there
be none, then in the secretary OF the
treasury, in case there be no secretary
Of the treasury, then in secretary of
war, and so on through the cabinet.
The executive session then adjourned.
The Senate bill passed, providing for
the removal of the remains of the late
Gen. Ord from Havana to Washing
ton.
The speaker laid before the Honse
the response of the secretary OF the
navy to the House resolution, stating
that he has no knowledge OF any ser
vice rendered by American officers or
men to the British navy at the bonn
bardment OF Alexander. Referred.
Also a letter from the postmaater-gen-
eral in response to tha House resolu-
ton in regard 10 the expenditures in
the star route frauds, requesting the
names of persons indebted to the gov
eminent and witnesses on whom the
government expected to rely for the
prosecution Of such persons. Refer
red
The acknowledgement informs the
House that an itemiZed list of eXpen-
ditures is being prepared, but that it is
detrimental to public interests to give
names of persons indebted to the gov
eminent and proposed witnesses. Adj
journed.