The Portland daily press., 1885-02-19
XLVIIIth Congress--2d Session

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.
at IL O'Clock today the only Senator in the cham
Der was Mr.. Edmunds, who promptly at that hour
entered with the chaplain, Rev. DR.. Huntley.
After few minutes delay Mr.. Morrill, came in
and with the advent of two or three hers the days
proceedings were so for begun that the chaplain
offered prayer. THIS done the few senators present
sea themselves awhile in an eloquent silence
which was finally broken by Mr.. Morrill, who
moved call Of the Senate The call began with four
senators and conclude with 16. As that was not
quorum the names of the absentees we 9 called.
This brought 10 more but that being i short of a
quorum, matters came to a stop. After some fur
ther waiting, at l 20 the chair announced quor-
ness proceeded with.
The chair laid before the Senate the memorial Of
the legislature of Maine, urging the passage Of a
bill to authorize the placing OF General Grant on the
retired list.
MIR. Dawes from the committee on indian affairs
reported original bill to enable the President to
negotiate for the purchase from the Creek Seminole
and Cherokee nations of Indians their remaining
interest in the so-called Oklahoma lands. Placed
on the calendar.
MIR. Ingalls,, from the committee on the Judiciary,
submitted written report as required by the SEN
ate on the subject of court martials and their
proceedings and practice in times of peace.
At l2.b6 on motioh of Mr.. Horr, the Senate " ent
into executive session. In 20 minutes the doors
reopened and legislative business was resumed
MIR. Lapham continued his remarks on the titles
OF settlers on the Des Moiues river lands,
At O'Clock Mr.. Lapham's remarks were inter
IF
eign contract labor bill.
lhe amendment offered by Mr.. Plumb was agreed
to- excepting professional artists from the proVis-
ions OF the bill.
Mr.. Lapham offered an amendment providing
that the whole penalty recovered shall be paid into
the United States Treasury, instead Of as by the
son who may irst bring the suit. This amendment
was agreed to, notwithstanding an energetic at
tempt Dy Mr. Blair to explain that it would serious
~ impair the efficacy of the bill.
Mr.. Blair then offered am0ndmant making IL
the duty OF the United States district attorney of
the proper district to prosecute at the expense of
This was agreed to.
The amendments in committee of the whole being
completed and the bill reported to the Senate the
Dill was then passed. Yeas so, nays Q. The nays
were Messrs. Butler, Groome Hampton Hawley,
Maxey, Morgan, Saulsbury, Vance and Williams.
The Credentials OF the re election of Mr.. Vance
were presented and filed.
Mr.. Palmer introduced bill to set apart the un-
surveyed marsh lands at the mouth of the St. Clair
river known as the st. Clair fats as IA hunting and
nsnng preserve for the people of the United States
1t was referred to the committee on public lands.
The Senate at $40 p. M, went into executive
session. At go p m. the doors were reopened and
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Upon its reconvening at 10 o'clock this morning,
in continuation of the session of yesterday. the
House went into committee of the whole on the
river and harbor bill Under agreement one-halt
bill.
Mr.. Reed of Maine said the improvement of the
mississippi river, if continued as proposed by the
bill, would cost $150,o00 900. That is only the
beginning OF annual expenditures he continued
the extent OF which is not known.
Pending vote on an amendment the committee
rose and at 10. so the House adjourned.
At IL O'Clock the session of to-day began.
The House proceeded to the consideration o1
business under the special rules.
On motion of MIR. Lyman of Massachusetts the
Senate Dill was passed appropriating $50, 900 fol
the relief OF the sufferers by the loss of the govern
ment steamer j. Don Cameron.
Mr.. Elliot of Pennsylvania, from the COMMITTEES
on elections, submitted a report on the Missouri
contested election case of Mclean versus Broad
head, accompanied by q resolution confirming the
right OF the sitting member, MIR. Broadhead, TO the
seat. Laid over for future action.
Mr.. Payson of Illinois offered an amendment K
the rules so as to make it in order each morning
move to take from the Speakers table House bill
with Senate amendments for the purpose of refer
ring them to appropriate committees. Referred.
Ihe morning hour having been dispensed with
the House at 2.30 o'clock went into committee o
the whole on the river and harbor bill.
The pending amendment which was offered as
substitute for the entire paragraph relative t
Galveston harbor was adopted. ct appropriate
$50O, 900 for the improvement of Galveston harbo
and directs the Harbor Board to proceed at once Il
examine the plans, specifications and estimates 70
its improvement and report to the Secretary of Wa
for his approval)
A large number of amendments were offered bu
with one or two unimportant exceptions were vote
down.
Pending further action the committee rose an
the House took recess until 10 o'clock tomorrow