Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-22
FORTY-NIATH CONGRESS.
sen ATE.

The char laid before the Senate a letter
from the secretary of war transmitting re-
ports, ETC., relating to bridges in course of
construction which may interfere with free
navigation Of navigable waters in the United
States.
Senator Msxey presented memorial of
the Mexican Veteran Association praying for
the passage of a bill pensioning the veterans
OF the Mexican war. Referred.
Among the bills fla, a,orably reported and
placed on the calendar we're the following:
BY Mr.. Edmuuds, from the committee of
judiciary, in reference to bigamy and poly
gamy in Utah.
BY Mr.. Hoar, from the same committee, the
original bill 10 establish a uniform system of
bankruptcy throughout the United States.
Among the bills introduced were the follow
ing:
BY Mr.. Van Wyck-To provide for the
organization of that part of the territory OF
the United States now known as Indian Ter
ritory, and the public land strip into terri
tory to be known as the territory of Oklaha-
ma; to provide temporary government for
the same; for the allotment of homesteads to
the Indians in severalty; to open unoccupied
lands to Indian settlers.
BY Mr.. Coke-TO establish national live
stock highway and promote commerce in
livestock between states
BY Mr.. Cullom-For the establishment of
postal telegraph system.
By Mr.. Harris-For the relief of Rear
Admiral Carter, U. S. N.
By Mr.. McPherson-For the relief of the
officers and crew of the U. s. steamer "Mon-
itor" who participated in the engagement
with the rebel iron clad ''Merrimac" in 1862.
By Mr.. Logan-ro increase the efficiency
OF the U. 5. army; also to equalize the bounty
of soldiers, sailors and marines of the late
war; also to pension prisoners of the late war
who were confined in confederate military
prisoners during the late war.
Mr.. Vest offered preamble and resolu-
ton, and moved their reference to the COM
mittee on foreign relations. They reclte in
effect that,
Whereas. the correspondence between the
government of the U. S. and Austria Hungary
shows that Hon. Anthony Nj. Kelley of Va,
was, on April 80, 1885, appointed minister to
Austria-Hungary; and that the government
of Austria Hungary declined to receive Mr..
Kelley on the ground that the position of a
foreign envoy welded to Jewess by civil
marriage, would be untenable and even i'm
possible IN Vienna Therefore,
Resolved, By the Senate and House of
Representatives that the position assumed by
this government, and that the principle affirm
ed in said correspondence by the secretary of
state, meets with our unqualified approba-
ton and, whilst sincerely anxious to maintain
friendly relations with Austria a-Hungary and
all other governments, the people of the u.
S. deny the right Of any foreign government
to assert against any citizen of this country
a disqualification for Office by reason of his
religious belief or that of his family.
ftar co. oh h,
the correspondence as the causes contribu-
ting to the rejection of Kelley BY the Italian
and Austria governments, said that the state
department of this government had recogniz-
ed at once the position taken by the Italian
government.
The government of the United States, he
said, would have recognized the right of the
Austrian government to object to Kelley on
personal grounds, if he had been personally
Objectionable to that government, but when
the Austrian government put its objection on
the ground that Keiley's wife entertained GER
tain religious opinions, this government was
bound by the provisions of its constitution
and traditions and opinions of its people to
respectfully refuse to admit the justice of
such objections.
Mr.. Vest delivered glowing eulogium on
Thomas jefferson for his successful efforts in
behalf of religious liberty, and expressed his
pleasure that Secretary Bavard had so prop
erly and energetically expressed the sense Of
the American people on the subject
Mr.. Vest strongly commended the course
of Secretary Bayard in the Kelley matter,
and moved the reference of the resolution to
the committee on foreign relations. Referred.
The Senate then passed the House concur
rent resolution providing for adjournment
from Monday until Jan 3. 1896.
Mr.. Harrison offered the following pream-
Bile and resolution, for which he asked i'm
mediate consideration:
Whereas its stated in substance in the last
annual report of the commissioner on PEN
sions, that under the administration of his
predecessor in that office other tests than
those of law were applied to the applicant for
pension, and that applicants were required
to show in addition to services in the field.
submission to and support of the party be-
fore the pensions were granted. Therefore,
Resolved. That the committee on expendi-
ture of the public money are hereby directed
TO inquire into such statements and report the
facts to the Senate, and said committee are
empowered to send for persons and papers and
employ stenographer.
On objection of Mr.. Cockrell the resolution
went over under rule.
by Mr.. Hoar authorizing the finance commit
tee to investigate the New York Custom
House, especially as to the matter of under
valuation.
Mr. Beck called up his resolution directing
the finance committee to inquire whether the
officials of the United States had complied
with the laws requiring that coin paid for
duties on imported goods should be set apart
as special fund and applied to the payment
of interest on United States bonds, etc.
Mr.. Beck spoke at considerable length on
the resolution The laws of the land, he
said, were equally binding on the highest ex
ecutive officer and humblest citizen, but the
law to which the resolution referred has not
for many years been complied with by the
treasury officials. No more statesmanlke
message ever emanated from the executive
mansion. in Beck's opinion. than President
Cleveland's first message. But he did not
agree with the position of that message re-
garding silver. Three-fourths of our busi-
ness troubles arose from the fact that the
laws of the United States were not carried out
by our executive officers. Combinations OF
bankers and bondholders, and their well paid
press, were opposed to silver, and their pres
ent crusade against that metal was another
evidence of the audacity of organizations OF
wealth, which had always secured whatever
they had demanded.
The examination of our trade and compari-
son of exports and imports of this time with
those of 1870, showed that the silver dollar
4 L. <hoxI in