The Portland daily press., 1885-02-25
XLVIIIth Congress--2d Session
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb.


The Chair laid before the Senate to-day memo
rial from the Legislature of Wisconsin urging the
placing of General Grant on the retired list of the
army,
A memorial from the Massachusetts Woman
Suffrage Association was also presented, praying
Congress to take steps to prohibit the disfranchse
ment OF citizens Of the United States on account
of sex.
These papers were laid on the table,
Mr.. Hoar, from the committee on privileges and
elections submitted written report regarding the
dual sets of credentials Of Senator Alison's cleo
ton. The substance of the report Mr.. Hoar said,
was that as Mr.. Allison appeared to be elected in
either event. it not profitable to inquire whether
the legal election that which took place on the
second Iuesdoy after the temporary organization
Of the Legislature or on the second Tuesday after
the permanent organization, and if it were neces-
sary to determine that question it was for the 49th
and not the 48th Congress to determine
Mr.. Cullom presented memorial from the Legis-
lature OF illinois, urging an early and satisfactory
settlement of the Oklahoma question.
Mr.. Dawes asked unanimous consent to at once
take up the bill heretofore introduced by him to
authorize the President to negotiate for the pur-
chase of remaining rights of the Seminole, Creek
and Cherokee nations OF Indians to those lands.
Unanimous consent was given to take up the BILL,
and in less than five minutes 1t read In full and
passed. 1t now goes to the House.
MIR. Jones of Nevada, from the committee on
contingent expenses reported favorably the resolu
tion to pay ex-senator Spencer Of Alabama the
amount OF his disbursements in maintaining his
right to his seat in the Senate. Calendar.
resolution providing that for the remainder of
the session it shall be in order to move application
of the five minute rule to amendments proposed to
appropriation bills went over till tomorrow.
The naval appropriation bill was laid before the
Senate and referred to the committee on appropria-
tions.
Mr.. Mitchell moved to take up the first pension
bill on the calendar. Agreed to-
Mr. Mitchell then moved to take up the next bill.
Mr.. Sherman said the Senate had better proceed
regularly to-day with the pension cases favorably
reported.
Considerable debate snsued as to how the bills
should be considered. FINALLY q motion Oravailed
to take up in their order all the pension bills favor
ably reported, and they were accordingly proceeded
The pension bills upon the calendar and favorably
reported having been disposed of, Mr.. Cockrell
ment OF claims of officers and enlisted men of the
army for the loss of private property DESTROYED in
the military service Of the United States.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Sherman the time for
presenting such claims was limited to two years.
and as SO amended the bill was passed
MI Cockren also called up the House bill limit
ing to three years the time of presenting claims for
bounty or back pay for services in the late war or
previous wars, and limiting to six years the time
against the United States except cases of pensions
The bill also provides that it shall not be construed
70 extend the power OF the Court of Claims in
clude claims now barred by the statute of imita-
tions.
Mr.. Dolp saying it was impossible to pass to-day a
Dill OF SO much Importance, moved an executive
session. Inc motion was agreed to- and the Senate
without action the bill went into executive ses-
sion and an hour afterward the doors were reopened
~-N@ oHS SOAnuo ouJOuIHeu
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading Of the journal, the
House proceeded to the consideration of business
under the special rule.
On motion of Mr.. George Of Oregon, a bill was
passed for allotment of lands in severalty to Indi
ans on the Umatilla Indian reservation.
Mr.. Randau's motion to proceed to consideration
OF the deficiency bill was defeated and at the
House went into committee of the whole on the
the appeal from the decision of the Chair, ruling
out the Hennepin Canal clause upon point OF Or
der.
After discussion by Messrs. Henderso on of Illinois
Springer Of Illinois, and Stone of Massachusetts in
support of the appeal, and by Mr.. Turner of Geor-
gia, aginst it, the decision of the Chair was
the bill.
An amendment was adopted granting jurisdic-
ton to United States Circuit Courts TO condemn
any real estate material needed in any improve
nent authorized by the bill.
An amendment was adopted providing that the
Secretary of War may decline to expend any por-
tion of the money appropriated by this b if in his
Judgment the improvement for which such appro-
priation is made will not be public benefit.
An amendment restricting appropriations for i'm
provement of the Mississippi river. below Cairo to
the completion of works on Plum Point and Lake
Providence reaches was adopted.
An amen -ment adopIed directing the Secre-
tary of War to withhold such portion of the con-
tract price as will pay all sums due for labor per-
formed or any improvement until iE is satisfactori
ly shown that al laborers are fully paid.
On point of order raised by Mr. Hiscock of New
York, the section creating board to be called the
United States Harbor Board was stricken from the
bill.
The section authorizing the Secretary of War to
remove and rebuild bridges which may be an OBJ
struction to navigation was stricken from the BILL
Mr.. Holman of Indiana, offered an amendment
providing that the money appropriated for improve
ment of the Mississippi river shall be expended nm
der the direction Of the Secretary of War, and in
accordance with plans appr we'd by HIM. Adopted,
13S to 81.
An ameudment was ados,tad nrovidiuo that tha
appropriations for the Missouri river improvement
shall be be expended under the direction of the Sec
retary OF War and in accordance with plans ap-
proved by him.
Amid great deal of confusion a number of
amendments were adopted to the "survey" section
of the bill, and it not until 7.45 that the
mittee rose and reported the bill to the House.
The previous question was ordered and the
House then adjourned.