The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-
THE SENATE.


Passed-The Greedy Relief.
WASHINGTON, Feb 6.-The Chair laid before
the Senate the resolution of Mr.. Beck offered
yesterday, relating to the discharge of Dudley, a
colored laborer.
Mr.. Beck stated that he had ascertained that
nothing he could do would secure the reinstate-
ment of the man, and he did not care to go
farther with the matter
Mr.. Riddleberger offered a resolution provid-
ing for joint convention of both houses, three
senators and five members of the House to in
quire and report the causes of ali removals of
subordinate officers made by the Secretary and
Sergeant alarms of the Senate, the Clerk,
Sergeant alarms. Doorkeeper and Postmaster
of the House. The resolution further directs
the committee to report how many disabled and
other soldiers have been removed and the States
to which they and all other discharged and ap-
pointed persons belong; also, whether the civil
service act applies to congressional appoint
ments.
In presenting the resolution, Mr. Riddeberger
said he had supposed that the resolution of Mr.
Beck was aimed at somebody, and so far as he
(Riddleberger) was concerned. he was ready to
go the full length to which anybody could wish
in the direction of investigation. He sug
gested that Virginia had less representation
among the government employees than Kentucky,
and much less than it was entitled to. He
would like 60 ascertain whether the civil-service
act applied to the subordinate appointments of
the two houses of Congress or to one house only.
lie had heard limitations that appointments
were made in the interest of senators from Vir-
ginia. He wanted to show, among other things,
the want of foundation for such a charge.
Mr.. Frye reported the new shipping bill,
agreed upon by the committee commerce, en-
titled "a bill to remove certain burdens from
American merchant marine and encourage the
foreign carrying trade" Mr. Frye made an oral
explanation of the bill, and in concluding his re-
marks said he hoped it would receive careful con
sideration.
Mr.. Vest, in behalf of the minority of the :
committee from which the bill was reported,
said that although they acquiesced in the bill re-
ported, they did not believe the bill touched tho
main difficulty which struck down our com
merce Other countries permit their citizens to
buy their ships wherever they could buy them
the cheapest. 1t reserved for the United
States to go back to barbarism, to the restriction
days of Oliver Cromwell, and say to its people
they should not buy ships in the cheapest
ket. This, and the tariff system of the United
States, were the fundamental csuses for the de-
cline OF American shipping Mr. Vest submitted
an amendment providing for free ships and free
material. The bill as reported was placed on
the calendar.
Bills were introduced and referred
By Mr. Hill: Providing for a readjustment Of
compensation for the transportation of mails
railroad routes.
By Mr. Logan: Creating commission whose
duty shall be to inquire into and report upon the
material, nuuSVrldl, tdQu lnIellecUudl progress
made by the colored people of the United States
since 1865, and making an appropriation for the
same.
Mr.. Hale called up the conference report on
the Greedy relief expedition.
The Chair announced that the bill was in the
possession of the House of Representatives, and
motion or remarks could be made relating to
it except by unanimous consent.
Mr.. Hale asked unanimous consent, owing to
emergency. to take the bill up.
Mr.. ingalls, remarked that much had been
said about emergency" when in fact no expedi-
ton could be had. He severely criticised the
conduct of the Secretary of the Navy in Sim
pertinently attempting" as Mr. ingalls, sad to
interfere with the legislation of Congress by
sending communication to member of one
House on the subject of legislation while that
subject was under consideration by the other
house and with view to preventing an agree
ment between the two houses.
Mr.. Hale defended the Secretary of the Navy,
claiming that what he had done was not imper-
tinence, but entirely proper.
Mr.. Ingalls, also referred to The reports he had
read in the public prints TO the effect that before
any bill on the subject of this expedition had
been passed by Congress, ship had been
bought by the Secretary ofthe Navy for the pur-
pose.
Mr.. Hale said the Secretaries of War and
Navy together, recognizing the urgency of the
situation, had, on their own personal response
bility, arranged for the purchase of ship and
if the government did not want it, there was no
obligation on it to take the ship.
The point of parliamentary law was got
over by the suggestion of the chair that the Sec
rotary of the Senate take a communication TO
the House, showing the condition of the bill.
The matter was then dropped, and the Senate
took up the Mexican Immigrants titles bill.
Mr.. Bowen spoke at length on the amendment
heretofore offered by him Many other amend
ments were also offered, most of which were re-
jected.
The debate was participated in by Messrs
Bayard, Conger Plumb, Van Wyck, Bowen,
Dolph, Sherman and Coke. Finally the debate
was closed and the bill passed.
Hr. Hawley moved an executive session, which
was voted down, and the Senate adjourned until