The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-03-11
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-
Senate.

Mr.. Miller, from the committee on agri-
culture, reported favorably, without amend
ment, tho House bill for the protection OF
forests on the public domain. NM. Hoar
introduced q bill for the relief Of seamen. lie
said that it was almost q transcript Of the
Massachusetts law relating to the pledge OF
seamen's wages, and permitting such pledge
only for the support Of their wives and chill
dren. 1t was referred to the committee on
commerce.. TIL agricultural appropriation
bill was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Plumb tho Senate re-
sumed the consideration Of the postofflce ap-
preparation bill. Tho Senate retained in tho
bill contrary to the recommendation of the
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
scribers ct one cent q pound; but cut out tho
discrimination against sample copies, making
the rate mentioned q 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 S1,7SO,OOO to
build a steel cruiser was adopted. On mo.
ton of Mr.. Boutelle, Of Maine, an amend
lIlcIlb vas ulOplcu pIOFlultlS ioI IlC lcIuiit
of the steamer Alert used in the Greedy relief
expedition with the thanks of this govern
ment, to the government of Great Britain ;
for the transfer of tho steamer Boar to the
treasury department 10 BIO used as a revenue
cutter in Alaskan waters, and for the use OF
the steamer Thetis in the navy as a survey
ing vessel. In this shapethe bill was passed.
1.-THE postofllce appropriation bill was next
discussed. IN motion Of Mr.. Brown, tho
Cos~-A H. 1~,.-o ynrtnIf
ting newspaper articles to be market with
out increase of postage. The bill was then
read a third time and passed without divi-
sion. 1t then went to tho House of Repre-
sentatires for concurrence or nonconcurrence
in the Senate amendments.
The chair laid before the Senate a memori-
al from tho legislature Of Wisconsin urging
the placing Of General Grant OH the retired
list of the army. After discussion MIR.
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. IA number Of pension bills
were passed, after which Mr.. Cockrell called
up the House bill already favorably reported
by him, to provide for the settlement Of the
claims Of officers and enlisted men Of the
army, for loss of private property DESTROYED
in the military service of the United
OGuUeS. MI. COCkIell Salu IIldI Gue Dut HOuVu
not cover such things as carpets, watches,
etc., but only articles deemed useful, neces-
sary and reasonable for officers and soldiers
to have when on duty. On the suggestion of
Mr.. Sherman the timo for presenting such
claims was limited to two years; as so
amended it was passed.
In debate on the army appropriation bill
the sentence Of the court martial against
Judge Advocate General Swain was de-
nounced by Messrs. ingalls,, Dawes and Hoar,
and defended by Mr.. Hale. Mr.. Allison re-
ported the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill, and asked its immedi-
ate consideration. The bill was taken
up and it's realing proceeded with....
MIR. Morrill, reported favorably from the
committee on public buildings and grounds q
bill to provide for the erection Of a fire-proof
building in tho city to contain tho records,
library and museum of the medical depart
ment Of the army at a cost not to exceed
S200,00O.