The Portland daily press., 1885-02-07
XLVIIIth Congress-2d Session
SENATE.
WAsHINGTc


tured by the engineer corps of the army or by the
War Department for defending the harbors on our
sea coast and lakes by torpedoes or otherwise in
case of sudden war with any foreign power and,
if torpedo stations have been established or con.
templated for such defense, then whether any arm
ament has been provided or plan devised for the
protection of such torpedo station.
Mr.. Morgan suggested reference of the resolution
to the committee on military affairs as it might be
that good reasons existed why such information
should not be made public. The resolution was SO
referred
Mr.. ingalls, moved an amendment to the Senate
rule that prohibits general legislation appropria
tion bills the amendment being to permit such leg
islation only as may be germane relevant to the
subject matter of the bill.
After debate, in which Senators Hale, Beck In
gals, Bayard, Harris, Hoar, Harrison, Sherman,
Platt, Dawes, Allison, Hawley, Cockren and Lap
ham took part in Mr., Ingalls, motion to ameud the
rules of the Senate so that amendments germane
and relevant to the subject matter OF appropriation
bis may be made thereto, was referred to the COM
mittee on rules.
In the course of his remarks, Mr. Cockrell allud-
ed to newspaper reports to the effect that $2500
had been paid to one eminent attorney in Washing
ton and $1,000 to another to get certain pension
been secured but Mr.. Cockrell said he intended no
reflection on the conference committee that was
primarily responsible for having, the legislation
acted on its own sense of duty and with the best in
formation its members could get.
MIR. Hawey said bill could be passed in half an
hour repeating such legislation.
Thereupon Mr.. jackson called up the bill already
on the calendar relating TO the fees of pension
claim agents and the attorneys bill was also taken
up, but Mr.. Palmer asked and received unanimous
consent to lay it temporarily aside to allow of his
constitutional amendment The decision to take
up the pension agents bill also postpones the anti
silver coinage bill.
Mr. Palmer said that the Joint resolution involved
the consideration of the broadest step in the pro
gress OF the struggle for human liberty ever sub
mitted to any ruler or legislative body. He re-
af tha nonf ahN uinor5 tic
rise and growth from small proportions to great. 1t
had made progress, he said, which had benefited
conviction that not only it right desirable and
expedient that women should vote but that the
dangerous political conditions which were perhaps
about to confront us rendered it our duty for the
safety of the nation no longer to deny to our pot
lcal life the strength to be derived from the
science and moral worth of wemen.
resolution offered by Mr.. Sherman was agreed
to, providing that on and after Monday next the
hour Of daily meeting of the Senate shall be IL
O'Clock.
The bill to regulate the fees of pension agents and
attorneys was then taken up, and after an explana
ton was passed without division.
The consular and diplomatic bill was then called
up and passed. The only change worth noting from
the Senate amendments as already published was
one increasing the salary of the consul at Jerusalem
The chair then laid before the Senate the anti
spsF svsF cSasge S but without further action the
doors were reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House met at 10 O'Clock this morning in con
tinuation of yesterdays session. There were not
more than half a dozen members present and
further recess of 10 minutes was taken.
After recess the House went into committee of
the whole, Mr.. Hammond of Georgia in the chair,
on the river and harbor bill. The pending amend
ment was the one providing that no part of the ap
preparation of S1OO, 900 for improving national
harbor of the first class at Sandy Bay, Mass shall
be expended until the new board of three engineers
shall decide that that point is the best location
the coast for such harbor.
The amendment was agreed to, 80 to 80.
Mr.. Oates of Alabama, moved to strike out the
entire paragraph relating to Sandy Bay harbor.
1t was agreed to IA to AZ.
Mr.. Spooner of Rhode Island, offered an amend
ment increasing from s12 500 to $4,000 the ap-
preparation for the improvement Of Newport har-
Dor.
This was lost.
Mr.. Spooner Of Rhode Island, offered an amend
ent appropriating $15 900 for the harbor at Block
Island.
This was lost.
Mr.. McComas of Maryland. offered an amend
ment providing that no money appropriated by this
act shall be expended except for such works as the
Secretary of War; under direction of the President
shall determine. and in no case shall the expendi-
ture for any one purpose exceed the sum designated
by this act for that purpose Mr.. McCOmas said he
wished the responsibility for the expenditure to
any responsibility and the COMMITTEES on rivers and
harbors WAS not united on the policy of the main
items in the bill.
MIR, Thomas of Illinois, opposed the amendment
on the ground that it attempted to set up the judg
ment of the executive against that of the egisla-
tive and make him q virtual dictator, saving when
and where improvements shall be made.
Pending action, Mr.. Willis moved that the COM
mittee rise and on OivG Cocs vote, the chairman
mands for tellers.
Speaker pro tenn Blackburn having taken the
chair, Mr.. Willis moved that the House adjourn
and the Speaker also disregarding the calls for a
division, declared the motion carried.
The House was instantly called to order and the
legislative day of Friday began.
After the reading of the journal the House pro-
ceeded to consideration of business under the new
rule.
Mr.. Thomas Of Illinois from the committee on
naval affairs reported adversely joint resolution
rendering the thanks Of Congress to Commanders
Schley and Coffin and Lieut.. Emery. Laid on the
Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania. said the House
would not be from public criticism if the appropri
alton bills were not all sent to the Senate by the
25th of the month. To accomplish this the COM
m1ttee on appropriations of the opinion that it
should have the right Of way after Saturday night
and serious effort would be made to pass next
service bills.
Private business having been dispensed with the
House at 1.45 went into committee of the whole on
the river and harbor bill, and the pending amend
ment offered this morning by McComas of Maryland
An amendment was adopted appropriating $1o,-
600 for the improvement of Oak Orchard Harbor.
Mr.. Cox Of New York, offered an amendment di-
recting the United States harbor board herein pro-
vided for to report plan and estimates for obtain
ing permanent channel sufficient for the wants of
commerce over Sandy Hook bar, the entrance into
New York Harbor. Adopted.
Mr.. King Of Louisiana offered an amendment
sppropriating $15,o0o,00o for improvements of
Mr.. Hiscock of New York said he had seen in the
public press statement that he was going to make
an assault upon the jetty system at New Orleans
and he denied that he ever had such an intention.
directed against me-
MIR. Hiscock-I beg the gentleman's pardon. 1
say unqualihedly it was not directed against the
gentleman.
MIR. King-And 1 say unqualifedly that it was.
understood the gentleman from New York him
self to state in private conversation that it was his
purpose 70 say on this floor that jetties had been
of no commercial value to New Orleans.
Mr.. Hiscock- 1 desire to contradict the state
msnt that have ever advertised that had that
purpose. Just so far as can go within the rules
OF the house desire to go and do go in saying that
have never said was going to do any such thing.
MIR. King-And state so far as may 20 within
the rules of the house that that statement is
false.
Mr.. Kings amendment was rejected.
Mr. Young of Tennessee offered an amendment
appropriating $4,000 for improvement OF Mem
PMS harbor. and he made some remarks rejecting
upon Mr.. Willis which brought that gentleman up
and another tilt ensued similar to the one just
preceding it.
The confusion became so great that the Speaker
was compelled to request the sergeant-at-arms to
see that the members were all seated, which ended
the quarrel and MIR. Young withdrew ais amend
ment.
The committee then rose and the house took
recess until o'clock.
Evening Session.
The house at its evening session passed 26 pen
sion bills, including one granting pension of $40
each to the minor children of the late Lieutenant
keslington and one increasing to $50 the pension
or the widow of Commodore Fillebrown.
In view of the WARNINGS recently received t,, A.,
police in Montreal, of the intention of dynamiters
to destroy Victoria bridge, no precaution is beng
overlooked to preserve the structure. Wooden
shanties have been built the ice near both ends
OF the bridge and three guards have been posted at
each end with instructions to patrole the whole
win be maintainad all Yintar. -N