The Portland daily press., 1885-02-11
XLVIIIth Congress--2d Session
SENATE.


SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
Mr.. Allison presided over the Senate to-day by
designation of the President pro tempore of that
body.
The Chair laid before the Senate communication
from the Secretary of the Navy, transmitting a
valuable report on the natural resources of Alaska
made by George Nj. Stone of the United States
Navy; also memorial in the form Of joint reso-
tion from the Legislature of Dakota, urging divi-
sion of that Territory and the admission Of its
southern portion as State; also memorial from
the Produce Exchange of New York, praying that
such steps may be taken by Congress as may be
necessary to place the chief city of the nation in
wealth. population and Importance in condition of
safety, no matter what foreign complications may
arise. The papers were appropriately referred.
The Senate passed MIR. Shermans joint resolution
providing for the striking of medals to commeror-
ate the dedication of the Washington monument.
Mr.. Lapham, from the committee on foreign rela-
tions, reported joint resolution referring to the
President the matter OF the Venezuelan awards
under the convention of 1866.
On motion of Mr.. Van Wyck, consideration of
the bill prevent the unlawful occupancy of pub
lie lands was resumed. Crhis is the bill popuiarly
known as the 'anti fencing bli.'D 1t was read the
third time and with slight amendments passed. 1t
must return the House for further consideration
The anti-silver coinage bill was postponed until
to morrow.
Upon motion of Mr.. Allison consideration Of the
pensions appropriation bill was continued, and
the Senate committees amendments were con-
CURED in.
Mr. jackson moved to add to the bill the provi.
sions of the bill recently passed by the Senate
lating to compensation etc., OF pension attorneys
In amendment Mr.. ingalls, moved to strike out
as general legislation the clause requiring that the
presumption of soundness shall operate, but such
presumption may be rebutted.
Mr.. Sherman hoped it would not be stricken out.
1t would be physically impossible he sad for many
deserving soldiers to prove now after 20 years had
elapsed, that they were sound when they enlisted.
Mr.. voorhees, strongly opposed the striking out Of
After further discussion Mr.. Ingalls, amendment
1uac Qd do nau
The bill was then passed substantially as it came
from the Senate committee, all the legislative
measures found in the bill as it came from the
House, relating to compensation of pension attor-
neys ETC., being struck oue the Senate having al
ready passed special bill containing those pro
visions. The bill now goes to the House.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
House bill repeating the pre-emption and timber
culture laws. but without action the Senate ad-
journed.
The House met at IL O'Clock in continuation Of
Saturdays session, and Immediately went into
committee of the whole Mr.. Springer in the chair
Mr.. Dingley of Maine advocated more liberal
policy in the compensation to American steamships
fer carrying the mails but pending the completion
OF his remarks the committee rose,
The House at 11.55 adjourned, and at IL o'clock
the session of Tuesday began.
After the reading Of the journal Mr.. Kelley Of
Pennsylvania, rose and moved that the document be
amended in that portion of it which had reference
to the scene yesterday between Mr.. White of Ken
lucky and the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms. The Jour-
nal stated that when the deputy procured the mace
and proceeded towards Mr.. White, that gentleman
"took his seat" 1t should state that he ''had
taken his seat" This, he thought was due to the
gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr.. Cox of New York, quoted from the rules to
show that the Sergeant. .at-Arms had authority to
keep order without bearing the mace of office. He
thought that the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr
White) had been treated with too much leniency.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas, moved to lay Mr.. Kelley's
81.
Mr.. Keifer of Ohio, then moved that committee
of five members be appointed by the Speaker to ex.
anime and report upon the question of fact with
lation to the proceedings OF yesterday.
Mr.. Reed of Maine, said he was an eyewitness of
the proceedings of yesterday, and he did not be-
heve the journal was correct.
Mr.. Kelley said it was due to the honor of the
House that the journal should recite the truth and
not the angry impulse of the majority.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas thought common decency
forbade that the House should spend any more time
on this subject. There was question of personal
right involved. The only question of right involved
was the right of the House, which had been outrag-
ed by the use of flibustering and datory motions.
By whom? asked Mr.. Boutelle Of Maine.
BY the very gentleman yon are trying to make
martyrof," replied Mr.. Reagan. "By the gentle
man you put, up; by the gentleman Mr.. Reed put
up. am tired of seeing Democrats rise here and
apologize for the efforts on the part of the majority
to control this House,
taken down. and after the language had been read
at the clerks desk Mr. Reed inquired if the gentle
man was in order in the words referring to him.
The Speaker pro TEN. (Mr. Blackburn,) did not
regard them as transgression of the rules.
Mr. Cox of New York thought that the gentleman
from Texas was out Of order in referring to Mr. Reed
by name.
Mr.. Reagan said he would cheerfully withdraw
the use of the personal language, and he was per-
mitted to proceed. He opposed the motion and
thought if the Democrats consented its adoption
they would put the Speaker in false position and
undertake TO apologize for what had been DONE
He also expressed the belief that the time of the
House lad been wilfully and unjustihably wasted
for the purpose of defeating of the appropria
tion bills.
Mr.. Reagan moved to lay sNTr. Keifer's motion ON
tie table and declined to yield to Mr.. Reed who
wanted few minutes to reply to his remarks
refrained from voting, but did not succeed in
breaking the quorum and the motion was agreed to
and the journal was then approved.
The Speaker pro tenn. announced the appoint
ment of Messrs Clay of Kentucky and Keifer of
Ohio as teers on the part of the House during the
counting of the electoral vote,
On motion of Mr.. Randall of Pa. it was ordered
that the House shall meet tomorrow at IL O'Clock.
Mr.. King OF Louisiana, rising to a question of
sion, he had on Friday last, made use of some re-
marks directed towards Mr.. Hiscock of New York
which he wished now to withdraw.
The Senate bill was called up by Mr., Milliken of
Maine providing for an appropriation of $3.50, 1000
for public building at Augusta, Me-, and it was
passed.
The House then resolved itself into committee
of the whole for further consideration of the post
Office appropriation bill.
Mr.. Dingley of Maine in concluding his speech
saii that It was OF great Importance that legis-
laton should be had by Congress either on this bill
or on the Dill reported by the shipping committee
before adjournment, relative TO Compensation to
American vessels for carrying the mails to foreign
countries. The repeal at the last session of all the
laws arbitrarily compelling American vessels
TO carry our foreign mails for grossly iDadeouate
compensation to take effect April LIST, next left
such vessels as free as any other c0nveyanees to
carry or decline to carry our mails and unless
provisions were made for a reasonable compen-
sation it must be expected that they would not
long perform service for which they received
almost no pay. The postal union rate allowed by
the post once department was sufficient to insure
the transportation of transatlantic mails as th
| large number OF pieces gave reasonable compen-
sanon, but the rate allowed American steamers for
carrying small mails to Central and South America
| and particularly Australia China and Japan,
amounting last year to only $14,S45 for the last
three countries, was inadequate that il was al
most an insult to offer it. The United States was
discriminating against American vessels in the for
elgn trade, In its postal legislation and admnstra-
toh it last year gave five small lines of coastwise
vessels % 2 cents per mile for carrying mails
on voluntary contract to the lowest bidder while
at the same time it compelled five important Amer
lean steamship lines to carry the mails for 234
cents per mile. This discrimination ought not Ia
be continued.
Mr.. Horr OF Michigan, moved to increase the ap
preparation for compensation of postmasters from
| $12,300,000 to $13,O00,00O. Lost.
MIR. Horn moved to increase by 5000, 900 the an
preparation for compensation of post office clerks
Lost.
Pending further action the committee rose and
Mr. Phelps of New Jersey, from the COMMITTEES on
questing of the President copies of all corresnon
dence in the hands of the government relating To
the case OF q. A. Vanbocken, an American citizen.
imprisoned at Port au Prince, Hayti. Adopted
Adjourned,