The Portland daily press., 1885-01-06
XLVIIIth Congress--2d Session
SENATE.

The Chair laid before the Senate the creden.
tials of Hon. Justin s. Morrill,, reelected from
Vermont for six years, commencing on the 4th
of March, 1885.
Society of Friends, praying that provision may
be made in the pending Spanish treaty for
settlement by arbitration of any difference
that may arise between Spain and the United
States. Referred to the committee on foreign
affairs.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
By Mr.. Beck, to create revenue commits
sion.
Mr.. Voorhees, introduced a concurrent reso-
luton extending the thanks of Congress to all
officers and men of the ships Alert, Bear, The
tbs and Loeb Garry; for the daring and skill
displayed by them in the rescue of the survi-
vors of the Greedy Arctic expedition. Re-
ferred.
Mr. Miller of California, offered resolution
which was agreed to-, calling on the Secretary
OF State for copies of all treaties, except postal
treaties entered into by the United States, ,rati-
fcstior whereof has been exchanged with
such notes as may be in his possession, indi-
eating such treaties or parts of treaties as have
been changed or abrogated.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
tion of bills upon the calendar.
Among the bills read the third time and
passed, was one to permit the officers of veg
sells collided with by government vessels to sue
the United States.
The Senate then took up the Interstate
commerce bill, and Mr.. Wilson spoke in its
favor.
Mr.. Sewell said that while he did not him
self think any very great abuse existed in the
railroad system of the country generally, yet
he thought bill Of this character was timely,
as tending to remedy the abuses 9hat might, in
exceptional cases. exist Mr.. Sewell denied
that one-half of the stock of the country was
water" as had been stated some weeks ago
in debate.
Mr.. Morrill, gave notice that on Wednesday
next he would call Hp, for the purpose of maxi
ing some remarks upon it, his resolution offer
ed some weeks ago, declaring it to be the
sense of the Senate that the sc-called reciproc-
ity treaties with natiops Of inferior population
and wealth, should be regarded with dsfavor.
A message was received from the President,
transmitting the report of the Secretary of the
Interior, recommending some provision for lis
arming the Cheyenne, Arapahoes and other
indians, when such action may be found
necessary for their advancement in civilized
pursuits, the Indians to be compensated for
the arms thus taken from them.
The Senate then went into executive session,
and when tne doors were reopened adjourned
HOUSE.
John A. Swope was elected to fill the vacan-
cy occasioned by the death of w. A. Duncan
from the 10Th Congressional district of Penn
sylvania, and he appeared and took the oath
of office.
Under the call of States the following bills
and resolutions were introduced and referred |:
By Mr.. Herbert of Alabama preamble and
resolution reciting that
Whereas, It appears that tho President has en-
powered Hon. John A. Kasson and General w. s.
Sanford to represent this government at what is
styled the international African Conference Ber-
lin to consider the question of erecting and main
tanning state in Congo, Africa; and
Whereas Such alliance as this conference seems
to mpart ia departure from the traditional policy
of the government Of the United States; therefore
belt
Resolved, BY the House of Representatives that
the President be requested to inform this body
whether he has SO accredited Hon. John A. Kasson
and Gen. W. S. Sanford and if he is respectfully
requested to state the reasons which have mpelled
nun nun te take such step; Il he has so accredited
inform the House whether in the letter OF author
ity to them or otherwise there any conditions
afhxed to or limitations placed upon the exercise of
| their authority as such delegates. and if such
limitations and conditions prescribed whether
they were made known to the conference; and the
President is further requested to impart to the
House such information may be in his possession
tending to show whether state is to be erected
and tmsintained by the powers taking part in the
| conference is to be Republican or .monarchieal in
form. The President is also requested to give an
opinion as to whether the appearance of delegates
from the United States in such international
| ference would not estep this government to deny
rghtfulness of any further alliance European
| sovereign might make to set up on the American
continent governments of such form as to them
might seem wise whenever occasion for such inter-
| ference might arise.
By Mr.. Cox, authorizing the Bartholdi
statue to be used for a lighthouse; also Great
| ing the office of assistant chief signal officer
with the rank and pay of colonel of infantry.
| Mr.. Cox's purpose in introducing this is to
| provide position for Lieutenant Greedy.
| By Mr. Hopkins of Pennsylvania, to provide
| for the erection of public buildings.
| By Mr. Tucker of Virginia, to increase the
| number Of judges for United States courts and
to prevent delay in the administration of jus.
tice.
| By Mr.. Breckenridge Of Arkansas, to pre-
| vide for the creation of river and hsrbor de-
| partment, to be in charge of the commission
| of river and harbors with salary of $4500.
Mr.. Hiscock of New York moved to suspend
the rules aud pass the bill abolshing the in
| ternal revenue tax on tobacco, cigars, snuff,
cigarettes and cheroots, the special tax on deal.
| ers in tobacco and the tax on liquors distilled
wholly from fruits.
Mr.. Mills of Texas demanded second, and
the motion was seconded, Sc to 75.
A half hours debate being allowed under
| the rules Mr.. Hiscock took the floor. He said
| the bill would reduce the revenues of the
| government nearly $50, 900, and he believed
| it would be good thing to have the revenues
| decreased to that amount. Mr.. O'Neil OF
Missouri said the purpose OF the bill was to
protect a certain peculiar set of industries
| which were already robbing the people. This
Congress should do nothing on the tariff ques-
| ton. 1t could at least avoid the stupendous
blunder of passing this bill.
Mr.. Thompson of Kentucky contended that
| the bill would cause the entire destruction OF
the internal revenue tax on distilled spirits
and would operate as a conhscation of $4,000.
| 900 gallons of spirits now in the hands Of
| dealers.
Mr.. Mills of Texas regarded the measure
as an extraordinary one to be brought forward
at ohis time. The report Of the Secretary oi
the Treasury showed that the public debt wai
on the increase and yet the House was pro
posing to give away the revenue.
Mr.. Hewitt of New York suggested that il
was hardly proper system of revenue reform
to leave the duty on cotton and take the tax
off whisky.
M. Hiscock's motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill to repeal certain interna
revenue laws was lost, yeas II, nays 128.
Mr.. Kefer of Ohio moved to suspend tht
rules and take from the Speakers table the
Mexican pension bill and concur in all the
| Senate amendments thereto.
In the debate which ensued Mr.. Hammond
of Georgia said that no one could guess within
thousand millions how much money this bill
| would take from the treasury.
Mr.. Reed of Maine predicted that il the bill