The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-11
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec, TO-
A resolution offered by Mr.. Manderson was
agreed to, directing the printing of 10000 copies
of the Presidents message and of the accompany
ing reports of heads OF departments.
Mr. Edmunds introduced a bill to provide for
the establishment of postal telegraph. Referred
to the committee on post offices and post roads.
In introducing the bill Mr.. Edmunds said it was
the same bill he had introduced at the last ses-
sion of Congress which went to the committee ON
post offices and post roads, and was reported upon
by that committee so late in the session that the
subject could not be considered by the Senate be
fore the expiration OF the session. He hoped the
committee would now take the earliest oppor-
tunlty to report on it. He wished to press 1t to
vote after reasonable discussion and examin-
alton. 1t may be added that differing from his
former position on the subject he should now be
willing to purchase attheir actual value the plants
OF any telegraph company that may wish to sell
them to the United States, not the value of the
stock watered or unwatered but the actual value
of the materials, lines, implements, etc., as such
value may be appraised by some tribunal in which
we would have confidence.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Morrill, was agreed
to- directing payment from the contingent fund of
the United States upon presentation and proper
audit of Vcuhers of actual and necessary expenses
funeral of Gen. Grant,
Mr.. Mcpherson presented joint resolution of
the legislature Of New Jersey recommending Con,
the territory of Alaska for the purpose Of penal
colony for a long term or life term convicts. Re
ferred to the committee on territories
Mr.. Dolph introduced bill to repeal the law of
the last session providing 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.
Among other bills introduced were the follow
ing:
By Mr.. Platt. to relieve commercial travellers
from license or taxes in state Of which he or the
merchant he represents is not citizen.
By Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, to promote peace
among nations
ByNr. Plumb, to open to homestead settlement
certain portions of Indian territory. (This is the
Oklahoma bill of last CougreSs.)
BY MIR. Call, to repeal all laws and parts of laws
prohibiting pensions to wounded soldiers and
officers without proof of loyalty; also to amend
articles of war so no persons can be tried by
court martial for desertion whose offence was
provided he has been that length of time in the
United States since his deserti0n; also bill to
amend section HOO of the Revised Statutes
that vessels under five tons burden and used for
private purposes shall not be subject to license.
By Mr.. Plumb, an additional article of war. 1t
provides that any officer serving with troops or
any soldier not on furlough who CANDLES, or any
the troops who by gambling shall win money
from an inferior officer shall be court martialed,
and that any post trader who permits gambling in
his establishment shall have his appointment re-
voked and makes it the duty OF every command
ing officer to enforce the provision of the aet)
By Mr.. Voorhees,, to repeal the statute of limit
atiOnS on allowances of pension arrears.
At 2.17 the Senate went into executive session,
having first resolved that when it adjourns to-day
it shall be to Monday next
When the doors were reopened the Senate adj
jOurned until Monday next.