Huntsville gazette., 1885-02-07
HUNTSVILLE ALA. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY Z 1885, -
xLvlHTH CONGRESS.

E III EAss 90 - ses8gSs W sS
In the Senate on the 2Sth several mes
sages were received from the President
transmitting Information heretofore called
for in regard to the landing of foreign cables
in the United States, the awards OF the
status of the Oklahoma lands, which lands.
the President thinks, can not, under the
present TT treaties. BE- Opened for settle I
ment. The senate then went intoexecntive'
session on the Nicaraguan treaty and dis
cussed that matter until 80 D. m. ..s... In
the House q concurrent resolution was In
troduced relative to counting the electoral
vote and fixing February llth as the day.
Referred. Aresolution was adopted request
ing the President to transmit q copy of the
recent appeal of Fitz John Porter. A COM
EunicatiOn was received from the Secretary
ofthe Navy recommending that Congress ten
der Russia and certain people of1cial express
sion OF its thanks for the aid and sympathy
given the Jeanette exploring party The
conference report on the six months naval
appropriation bill was agreed to. Attempts
were made to itake various bills from the
calendar, but 80 many members wanted
some particular bill that much time was lost
In making motions. and nothing was accom-
plished before adjournment.
In the Senate on the 29th Mr.. Pendleton
presided. The bill to Facilitate promotions
throughout the army by retiring from ac-
tive service on their own applications OFF,
GERS who served in the war of the re-
bellion, was reported adversely. The or:
aer ngton Of sHeScises prepared by the Wash
proved. The Senate then went into execu-
tive session on the Nicaraguan treaty, and
when the doors were reopened adioulned....
In the House the river and harbOr apprO-
priatiOn bill was discussed in committee of
the whole Mr.. Willis made brief explana-
tion OF the features and a statement of
the large items of appropriation. The
largest appropriation Is for the improve
ment of the MISSISSIPPI Liver, for which $3,-
$50 5000 IS given, or about forty per cent OF
the estimate asked. Objection was made be-
cause OF the larger amount appropriated for
the river below Cairo. Mr. Gioson opposed
the creation of the office of Advising En-
gineer of the Mississippi River Commis SION.
No final action " as taken. ~.#
In the Senate on the 30th memorial
from number of naval officers was pre-
sented protesting against the passage OF
the resolution giving tae thanks OF Con
gress to Commander Schiey and Iieuten-
ant Emery, for such a resolution, they
claim, wou advance these officers one
grade and affect all the officers ABOVE them
In the list of their respective ranks. Mr.
HOar asked unanimous consent to take up
the Pacific Railroad bill, but did not want
action taken Immediately on its passage.
He spoke at length, as did also Mr. Garland
The report was also read. MIR. Pugh spoke
ON the inter- State commerce bill and fav
ored the Commission plan and opposed the
Reagan bill. In the House Mr.. Black
Ia
The Post Office appropriation bill was report.
| ed and referred. A message was received
| from the President in reference tothe loan OF
| the British steamer Alert for use In the
Greedy relief expedition He asks permis--
sion to return the vessel with a suitable ac-
acknowledgement OF the courtesy, etc " L
The Senate was not in session on the
3lst... In the House q Communication was
presented from the Supervising Architect
asking increased amounts cfor the public
buildings atJefferson City and Kansas City
ton. OF the river and harbor bill was re-
sumed. Ne. Thomas said he regarded
the bill in the main yecy fair one; but
Mr. Mills spoke in favor of the Improve
mt mt OF galveston harbOr, and commended
Captain Eads plans. Mr.. Blanchard de-
ft nded the bill against the attacks of Mr..
Bayne The latter was opposed to the
Galveston Harbcr clause, and denounced
the ths ~ Ing Hennt pm Canal scheme THe
jected to certain matters with which 1t was
proposed to connect his name. He thought
also that too much money was set apart for
the Mississippi kiver. Mr.. Willis spoke in
explanation Of the features of the bill Pend
ing further debate the House adjourned
In the Senate on the I'd a communication
was received from the Secretary of the
Treasury relative to the postpbnement Of
the collection of the whfskey tax. Mr.. Hoar
explained, In detail, the amendments to the
Pacific Railroad bill. Messrs. Beck and Nc
pherson spoke on the subject. !Considera-
ton of the inter State commerce bill was re
sumed. Mr. Beck's amendment in refer
ence to long and short hauls was
defeated, % to SO. Mr.. II oar offered IAN
amendment providing that charges should
not be greater for any less distance than the
same service over the whole line. Lost, Al
to s.. Mr.. Plumb offered al amendment to
apply to cases of ''smil2r circumstances"
\ long discussion followed without action
on the. amendment-.....I In the House the
following were among the resolutions
and new bills offered: Relative to the
rights of Chinese to enter the country;
to maintain the purity-ofthe ballot box and
to prevent bribery and corruption in cleo
tiOns; to ascertain the expenses OF deputy
United States Marshals -and chief supervis
ors of elections; in reference to London dy-
Mantle explosions; granting lands to the
State of Nevada ( to ascertain the names of
persons on the Government pay rolls on
November lst, 1884, and on February I'd. 1855 /;
abolisnipg the census bureau. H.os.a f4s