The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-03-06
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-


On motion of Mr.. Plumb the Senate re-
sumed the consideration of the postoflice APP
preparation bill. The Senate retained in the
bill contrary to the recommendation of tho
appropriation committed the legislative pro-
visions inserted by the House of Representa-
tives fixing the postage on newspapers sent
from the Office of publication TO regular sub
scribcrs at one cent pound; but cut out the
discrimination against sample copies, making
the rate mentioned a uniform rate for all
newspapers sent from the office of publication
whether sample copies or otherwise. Business
was then suspended for the ceremonies at
tending the dedication of the Washington
monument
The navy appropriation bill was discussed.
An amendment appropriating 81, 10000 to
build n steel cruiser was adopted. On mo-
ton of Mr.. BOutelle, of Maine, an amend
ment was adopted providing for the return
of the steamer Alert used in the Greedy relief
expedition with the thanks of this govern
mcnt, to the government Of Great Britain {;
for tho transfer of the steamer Bear to the
treasury department TO be used as a revenue
cutter in Alaskan waters, and for the use of
the steamer Thetis in the navy as survey
Ing vessel. In this shnpethe bill was passed.
....The postofiice appropriation bill was next
discussed. On motion Of Mr.. Brown, the
Senate retained the House provision permit
ting newspaper articles to be market with
out increase Of postage. The bill was then
read n third time and passed without divi-
sion. II then went TO the House of Repre-
scntativcs for concurrence or nOnconcurrenCe
in the Senate amendments.
The chair laid before the Senate a memori-
al from the legislature of Wisconsin urging
the placing Of General Grant on the retired
list of the army After discussion Mr..
Dawes bill was passed authorizing the Presi-
dent to negotiate for the purchase Of the re-
manning rights of the Seminole, Creek, and
Cherokee nations Of Indians to the Okla
homa lands "A number Of pension bills
wcro passed, after which Mr. Cockrell called
up the House bill already favorably reported
by him, to provide for the settlement of the
claims or officers and enlisted men of the
army for loss of private property destroyed
in the military service OF the United
States Mr. Cockrcll said that the bill would
not cover such things as carpets watches,
etc, but only articles deemed useful, neces-
sary ana reasonable for officers and soldiers
10 have when on duty On the suggestion of
Mr.. Sherman the time for presenting such
claims was limited to two years; as so
am nded it was passed
In debate on the army appropriation bill
the sentence of the court martial against
Judge Advo alto General Swain was de-
nounccd by Mcssrs ingalls,. Dawes and Hoar,
and defended by Mr.. Hale. ... Mr. Allison re-
ported the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill, and askel its immedi-
ate consideration. The bill was taken
up and its r,a ling proceeded with. 80.
....Mr MCrllH reported faNOraDlY from the
committee on public buildings and grounds a
bill to provide for the erection OF a tre-proof
building in the city to contain the records,
library and museum of the mcli al depart
ment of the army at a cost not to exceed
100000.
Mr.. sherman reported to the Senate an
amendment to the sundry civil bill t. pro-
vide for the erection in the District of Column
bfa of statue to the memory OF General La
fayette at cost of >50.o1O. ...
The naval appropriation bill was reported 70
the Senate As it came to the Senate from
the committee on appropriations it calel for
an aggregate of ST. ,GNJ, 81, VIII cl was a net
increase of $!.34,,0) over the ACRE gate OF
the House bill and an increase OF s., 1OS, STD
over the amount appropriate last year.
The navy appropriation bill wa, passed.
y number Of pension ILLS were passed
i Mr., Morgan asked unanimous consent to tax,
up the bill for the relief of Letitia Tyler
Sempe, daughter Of the late President Tyler.
/ The bill would give her a pension of so a
month. The lady named, MIR. Morgan said
| is now blind, and dependent on the charity
/ of w. w. Corcoran in the city If Washington
Messrs. Riddleberger and Co-lirell objected
Mr.. Morgan cited Instances of Presidents
widows and daughters who had received
pensions, He thought it would crafty thc
| people of the United States TO provide fol
! this poor blind lady-a lady who. in her day
/ had been the lady of the White House, anC
had filled that place with credit to the people
of the country. \ vote on the bill resulted
| Yeas, II: nays, l..