Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-29
IN SENATE AND HOUSE.
A Lively Skirmish for Priority Anon
the Representatives.

A Lively Skirmish for Priority Among
the Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-Several mess
ages from President Arthur were laid be-
fore the Senate to-day transmitting in
formation heretofore called for regarding
the landing of foreign cables in the
United States, the awarding of the Vene-
zuelan mixed commission and the status
of the Oklahoma lands, which lands the
President maintains cannot, under ex-
listing treaties, be opened for settlement
by law. Without the transaction of other
business the Senate, at 1890 O'Clock, went
into executive session.
At S:30 O'Clock the doors were cOnstructiVely
opened and Mr.. HOar, from the Committee On
Judiciary. reported a substitute for the House
bill relating to the indebtednesso of the Pacific
railroads. The report accompanies the sub
stitute. On motion OF Mr.. Frye, the Senate
ordered the printing in pamphlet form of ,OOO
copies of the House bill, the Senate Commit
tees substitute and the accompanying report.
Consideration of Executive business was then
resumed. At : 80 O'Clock the doors were re-
opened and the Senate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
In the House to-day Mr.. Slocum. of New
y Ork, from the Committee on Military AT
fairs. reported back the resolution requesting
the President to transmit to the House a copy
OF the recent appeal of Fitz John Porter,
together with the accompanying papers.
Mr.. steele, of Indiana, moved to lay the
resolution on the table.
This motion was lost by a vote of SO to ll6.
The resolution was then passed by l79 yeas to
II nays.
Mr.. Holman presented the conference re-
rOrt on the six months naval appropriation
bill, and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Cox, of North Carolina, presented the
credentials of J. W. Reed as member-elec
from the Fifth district of North Carolina to
succeed a. NJ. Scales, and Mr.. Reed came
forward and took the oath Of office.
The morning hour having been dispensed
with Mr. Hewitt, OF New York, moved that
the House 90 into committee OF the whole for
the purpose of considering the bill to carry
into effect the Mexican treaty. The motion
was lost by vote Of 81 yeas to l57 nays.
A contest then arose as to the precedence of
business. Mr.. Singleton. of Mississippi,
pressed the library bill. Mr.. Townshend, Of
Illinois. presented the claims of the Mexican
nension bill. Mr.. Stocksager, of Indiana,
thought that public building measures were
entitled to consideration, Mr.. Hunt, OF Lou
isiana, suggested that 1t was time that the
House should take action on the bill for the
encouragement of the American merchant
marine. which has been the special order for
nearly year, and Mr.. Henley. Of California,
wished TO take up the Northern Pacific land
forfeiture bill
ON motion of Mr.. Henley the House pro-
ceeded. by a vote of l59 yeas to l05 nays. to
consider the land grant bills on the calendar.
The first bill on the calendar was one to de-
clare forfeited certain land in Michigan
granted to aid in the construction of railroads.
The question of consideration was raised, and
the House refused bv a vote of 50 yeas to lo2
nays to consider the bill, A similar question
was raised against the next bill to forfeit the
Marquette and OntOnagOn land grant, and
the House refused by vote of so yeas TO l6l
nays to consider the measure.
Mr. Willis, from the Committee on Rivers
and HarbOrs, reported the river and harbor
appropriation bill, and it was referred to
committee of the whole.
Mr.. Van Eaton, of Mississippi, submitted
various filibustering motions to adjourn oyer
and to take recesses, and several roll calls
were taken. During one of the calls Mr..
Beard, of Missouri, asked if it would be IN
order to read the platforms prepared at both
the Republican and Democratic conve ntIops,
especially that plank which declared in favor
OF the forfeiture of unearned land grants.
Finally, wearied out with successive roll calls,
the House at 40 O'Clock adjourned.