Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-25
FORTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
sen ATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb 9

Ing the placing of Gen. Grant on the retired
list OF the army; also memorial from the
Massachusetts woman's suffrage association,
praying that Congress may take steps to pro-
hibit the disfranchisement of citizens of the
United States on account of SEX The papers
were laid on the table.
Mr.. HOar, from the committee on privil-
eyes and elections, submitted written re-
port regarding the dual sets of credentials of
Senator Allison's election. The substance of
the report, Mr.. Hoar said, was that as Mr.
Allison appeared to be elected, in either
event it was not profitable to inquire whether
the legal election was that which took place
the second Tuesday after the permanent or
gauization, and if it were necessary to deter
mine that question; it was for the 49t,, not
the 4Sth Congress to determine.
Mr.. Cullom presented memorial from the
legislature of Illinois, urging an early and
satisfactory settlement of the Oklahama ques
ton.
Mr.. Dawes asked unanimous consent to at
once take up the bill heretofore introduced by
him, to authorize the President to negotiate
for the purchase of the remaining rights of
the Seminole, Creek and Cherokee nations of
Indians to those lands. Unanimous consent
was given to take up the bill
In less than five minutes it was read and
passed. 1t now goes to the House.
Mr.. Jones of Nevada, from the committee
on contingent expenses, reported favorabv
the resolution to pay ex- Senator Spencer of
Alabama the amount of his disbursement in
maintaining his right to his seat in the Sen
ate calendar.
A resolution providing that for the remain
der Of the session it shall be in order to move
the application of the five minute rule to the
anne ndmpnfa nrpnospa IN apprnnriafiop hills
went over till tomorrow.
The naval appropriation bill was laid before
the Senate, and referred to the committee on
appropriations.
Mr. Mitchell moved to take up the first
pension bill on the calendar; agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman said the Senate had better
proceed regularly today with pension cases
favorably reported.
Considerable debate ensued as to how bills
should be considered Finally the motion
prevailed to take up in their order all pension
bills favorably reported, and they were ac-
cordingly proceeded with.
The pension bills on the calendar and fav-
orably reported having been disposed of Mr..
Cockrell called up the House bill to provide
for the settlement of claims of officers and
enlisted men of the army for loss of private
property destroyed in the military service of
the United States.
On suggestion of Mr.. Sherman the time
for presenting such claims was limited to two
years. As so amended the bill was passed.
Mr., Cockrell also called up the House bill
limiting to three years the time of presenting
claims for bounty or back pay for services in
the late war or previous war and limiting to
six years the time for presenting all claims
originating hereafter against the United
States except in cases of pensions.
The bill also provides that if shall not be
construed to extend the power of the court of
claims, nor include the claims now barred by
statute of limitation.
Mr.. Doiph, saving that it was impossible
to pass today a bill of so much Importance,
moved an executive session.
The motion was agreed to and the Senate,
without action on the bill, went into execu-
tive session
An hour afterwards the door reopened and
the Senate adjourned.
Before adjournment message from the
House announced its disagreement with the
Senate on the agricultural appropriation bill.
The Senate on motion of Mr. Hale in
sisted on its amendment and the chair ap-
pointed Messrs. Hale, Plumb and Call COM
mittee of conference OF the disagreeing vote
of the two houses.
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading of the jour
nal the House proceeded to the consideration
of business under special rule,
On motion OF Mr.. George of Oregon, the
bill was passed for the allotment of lands in
severaty to the Indians on the Umatilla res
ervation.
Mr. Randalfs motion to proceed to considera-
ton of the deficiency bill was defeated, and
at o'clock the House went into committee
of the whole on the river and harbor bill. the
pending question being an appeal from the
decision of the chair, ruling out the Hennepin
canal clause upon point of order,
After discussion by Messrs Henderson of
Illinois, Springer of Illinois and Stone of
Massachusetts in support of the appeal and
by Turner of Georgia against it, the decision
of the chair was sustained-l09 to $50 the
clause was elimated from the bill.
An amendment was adopted granting juris-
diction to U. S. circuit courts to condemn
any real estate or material needed in any i'm
provement authorized by the bill.
An amendment was adopted providing that
the secretary of war may decline to expend
any portion of the money appropriated by
this bill if, in his Judgment, the improvement
tor which such appropriation is made will
not be public benefit.
An amendment restricting the appropria-
tions for the improvement of the Mississippi
river below Cairo, to the completion of the
works on Plum Point and Lake Providence
reaches, was adopted.
An amendment was adopted directing the
secretary of war to withhold such portion of
the contract price as will pay all sums due
for labor performed on any improvement
until it is satisfactorily shown that all labor
ers are fully paid.
On point of order raised by Mr., Hiscock
of New York, the section creating a board to
be called the United States harbor board
was stricken from the bill
The section authorizing the secretary of
war to remove and rebuild bridges which may
be an obstruction to navigation, was stricken
| from the bill.
Mr. Holman of Indiana offered an amend
ment providing that the money appropriated
for the improvement of the Mississippi river
shall be expended under the direction of the
secretary of war and in accordance with the
plans approved by him; adopted.
An amendment was adopted providing that
the appropriations for the Missouri river i'm.
provement be expended under the direction
| of the secretary of war and in accordance
with the plans approved by him.
Amid a great deal of confusion a number
of amendments were adopted to the survey
section of the bill. and it was not until Z 45
that the committee rose and reported the bill
to the House.
The previous question was ordered and the