Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-07
WRTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS.
second Session.
sen ATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6

dentlals Of the Reelection Of Senator Invalls
of Kansas. III
resolution was offered by Mr.. Sewall
calling on the secretary Of war to report 10
the senate whether any plans or preparation
nave been matured by the engineer corps OF
the army or by the war department, for de.
Tending the harbors on our sea coast and
lakes, by torpedoes or otherwise in case n,
sudden war with any foreign power, and if
torpedo stations had been established or con
templated for such defence; and whether anv
armament had been provided or plan devised
ior the protection of such torpedo stations
Mr. Morgan suggested the reference of the
resolution to the committee on military
analrs, as 1t might be that good reasons ex-
listed why such information should not be
made public The resolution was so referred.
Mr.. Ingalls, moved an amendment to the
Senate rule that prohibits general legislation
on appropriation bills. the amendment being
to permit such legislation only as NAV be
germane or relevant to the subject matter of
the bill.
After debate in which Messrs Hale, Frve.
Beck, ingalls,, Bayard Harris, Hosr, Har,
rlson, Sherman, Plat, Dawes, Allison.
Ha"ley, CocKrell and Lapham took part, Mr.
ingalls, motion to amend the rules of the
Senate so that amendments germane and
relevant to the subject matter of appropria-
ton bills may be made thereto, was referred
| to the committee on rules.
In the course of his remarks Mr. Cuckrell
alluded to the newspaper reports to the etfrc
that S25OO had been paid to one eminent
attorney in Washington and $1,000 to annther
to get certain pension legislation throu Oh
| Congress. The legislation had been secured,
but Mr.. Cock ell said he intended no refec-
! ttnn thf.s Go
primarily responsible for having the leg,sla-
ton passed. He believed the committee
acted on its sense of duty with the best in-
formation the members could get.
| Mr.. tlawley said that a bill could be passed
in half an hour repeating such legislation.
! Thereupon, MIR. jackson called up bill
already on the calendar relating TO the fees
! of pension claim agents and attorneys.
! The bill was taken up, but Mr.. Palmer
asked and received unanimous consent to lay
it temporarily aside TO allow of his delivering
OF few remarks on thei womans suffrage
constitutional amendment.
Mr.. Palmer said tue joint resolution in-
volved the consideration of the broadest
step in the progress of the struggle
for human liberty ever submitted to
any ruler or legislative body. He review ed
the history of the movement, showing its rise
aud growth from small proportions to great.
! 1t had made progress, he said, that had bene-
! fitted all and injured none. He concluded
by expressing the conviction that not only
was it right, desirable and expedient that
women should vote, but that the dangerous
political conditions which were perhaps ABOUT
to confront us, rendered it our duty for the
safety of the nation, no longer to deny to our
political life the strength to be derived from
the conscience and moral worth of women.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Sherman was
agreed to, providing that on and after Mon
day next the hour of the daily meeting of the
Senate will be | | o'clock.
The bill to regulate the fees of pension
agents and attorneys was then taken up, and
after an explanation by Mr.. Jackson, was
passed without division.
The consular and diplomatic bill was then
taken up and passed.
The chair then laid before the Senate the
anti-silver coinage BILL but without further
! action the Senate went into executive session
and when the doors were reopened adjourned
HOUSE.
The House of Representatives met at II
o'clock this morning in continuation of yes
terday's session. There was not more than
half dozen members present, and further
recess of 10 minutes was taken.
After recess, the House went into commit
tee OF the whole (Mr. Hammond of Georgis
| in the chair on the river and harDor bill
The pending amendment was the one prOvid
ing that 10 part of the appropriation of $780,
600 for improving a national harbor of the
first class at Sandy Bay, Mass, shall be eX-
pended until a new board of three engineers
shall decide that that point is the best loca-
ton on the coast for such harbor; agreed
to-S2 to 80.
Mr.. Oates of Alabama moved to strike out
the entire paragraph relating to Sandy Bay
harbor; agreed tod to ~.
Mr.. Spooner of Rhode Island offered an
amendment increasing from Sl2, 300 to S20,-
600 the appropriation for the Improvement of
Newport harbor; lost.
Mr. Spooner of Rhode Island offered an
amendment appropriating $4,000 for the
harbor at Block Island; lost.
Mr.. McComas of Maryland, offered an
amendment providing that no money appro-
priated bv this act shall be expended except
for such works as the secretary of war,
under direction of the President, shall deter
mine, and in no case shall the expenditure
for any one purpose exceed the sum desig-
mated by this act for that purpose.
Mr.. McComas said he wished the response
| bilitv tor the expenditure to rest elsewhere.
The engineer corps disclaimed any RESPONSE
bilitv, and the committee on rivers and har-
bors was not united on the policy OF the main
items of the bill.
! Mr. Thomas of Illinois opposed the amend
ment on the ground that it attempted to set
up the Judgment of the executive against that
of the legislative, and make him a verbal die
tator, saying hen and where improvements
shall be made
Pending the action, Mr.. Willis moved that
the committee rise and on viva voce vote,
the chairman decided that the ayes had it and
disregarded the demands for tellers.
Speaker pro tenn. Blackburn having taken
the chair, Mr.. Willis moved that the House
adjourn. and the speaker. also disregarding
the calls for division, declared the motion
| carried.
The House was instantly called to order
and the legislative day of Friday began.
After the reading of the journal, the House
proceeded to the consideration of business
under the new rule.
Mr. Thomas of Illinois, from the commit
tee on naval affairs. reported adversely a
! Joint resolution rendering the thanks of Con-
| gress to Commanders Schley and Coffin and
/ Lieut. Emery; laid on the table
Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania said the
| House would not be free from public criti-
cism if the appropriation bills were not all
sent to the Senate by the 25th of the month,
| To accomplish this the committee on appro-
priations was of the opinion that if should
have the right of way after Saturday night,
and serious effort be made TO pass next