Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-02
WRTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS-.
sen ATE.
WAsHJrcroS Eeh 81

NS NSnNiehSy oiii, as passed Dy the House, suffl-
ciently provides for the expenses of juries in
connection with United States courts, not
more than one-half the eitimates having in
anv case been allowed.
number of private pension bills were
reported and placed on the calendar
The substitute for the river and harbor bill
was read the second time and referred to the
committee on commerce.
Mr.. Mitchell offered the following pream-
BILE and resolution:
whereas, The commercial value of silver
has so far deprecated that the standard silver
dollars coined under the act of 1878 are now
worth but 50 cents in the open market; and !,
whereas, The coinage of such depre-
ciated dollars, now amounting to nearly $780,
OOO,O 900, has seriously threatened the suspen-
sion of gold payment by the government from
necessity and the consequent banishment of
gold coin from all circulation. Therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on finance
prepare and report to the Senate a proper
bill to provide for the immediate suspension
of the coinage Of standard silver dollars, and
for the resumption of such coinage whenever
the commercial value of the standard dollars
aforesaid shall rise to within five per cent. of
the value of the standard gold dollars of the
United States.
Mr. Mitchell then asked unanimous consent
to have the resolution considered at once
and have read in connection with the resolu-
ton very important letter from distin-
guished person just published on the silver
question.
Objection was made, and the matter went
over one day.
The Senate then took up the House bill to
forfeit the United States lands granted to the
State of Iowa, and on the construction of the
Sioux City & ST. Paul railroad.
Pending the debate on the bill to forfeit
the lands granted to the State of Iowa to aid
in the construction of the Sioux City & ST.
Paul railroad. the House bill providing for
the erection of public buildings in several
cities, was taken up and passed.
On motion of Mr.. Hoar, the Senate re-
solved that when it should adjourn today il
would be to o'clock Monday morning
message having been received from the
House announcing disagreement with the
Senate on the postoffce appropriation bill,
the Senate insisted on its amendments.
The House bill was passed authorizing the
collector of New York to deliver bill of
duty to A. b. VanHusen on the silver cup won
by hlm at Wimbledon, Eng. as member of
the American rifle association.
The debate on the Sioux City & St. Paul
forfeiture bill was resumed.
Pending the debate the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Messrs. Thomas of Illinois and Cox of New
York made brief, personal explanations, in
which they stated that a few days ago they
had given Capt. G w. Davis the credit of
having strengthened the foundation of the
Washington monument, which they had since
learned should have been given to Col. Casey.
Walla of Iowa risipy tn ar1i lion,
ary inquiry, asked the speaker whether the
effect of the sundry civil bill passed yester-
day. was to retire the one and two dollar
treasury notes. He had been informed that
such would be the effect.
The speaker decided that this was not a
parliamentary inquiry.
Mr.. Dibrell of Tennessee submitted a CON
ference report on the agricultural appropria-
tion bill. and it was agreed to
The House then proceeded to the consider
alton of the Senate amendment to the post
Office appropriation bill. The recommenda-
tions of the appropriation committee were
generally followed. 1t was voted down, how
ever on its Recommendation of non-concur-
renee in the amendment permitting sim
gle copies of second class publications to be
transmitted through the mails at one cent per
pound, and the amendment was concurred in.
The amendment relative to the compensa-
ton to American steamships for carrying the
mails was non concurred in.
All the mendments having been disposed
of, Messrs. Townshend, Holman and Horr
were appointed conterees upon the disagree
ing votes of the two Houses.
The naval appropriation bill with the Sen
ate amendments was taken from the speakers
table and referred to the committee on appro-
priations.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the fortifcation bill the general
debate being limited to two hours.
Mr.. Horr of Michigan supported the Ellis
substitute, which appropriates S4,S34, 900.
For the past ten years the fortification bill
passed by Congress had been of no benefit to
the country. He did not know what the
opinion of the incoming administration was
on the subjnct, but he took occasion to com
pliment Cleveland's letter on the silver dollar
and said incidentally that the only thing he
regretted was that such pearls had to be cast
before such congressman. The latter rec.
ognized the fact that the American Congress
ought to take care of the interest of the
nation and ought to do something to prevent
the impending difficulties that hung over the
fnancies of the country. Had anybody
letter from the President on the subject OF
fortifcation? Had he said ANYTHING on th.
question as ne naO upon the bogus dollar
question? The President had started right.
but ten chances to one he would have to RELY
upon the business sense of the republicans of
the House in order to win this.
Mr. Cosgrove of Missouri suggested that
Mr.. Horr deserved cabinet position.
Mr.. Horr declined to be the 10th appli-
cant for such a position, but he suggested
that Cleveland would have some trouble in
finding men in his own party who would rise
to the magnificent comments contained in his
letter. He (Horr) was frank enough to say
that the letter disappointed him fsvorably.
Mr.. Reed of Maine said the democratic
party had now a chance of doing something.
For the last % years the only duty which it
had was that of finding fault The House
had had two examples of the democratic
party in positive action. One was on the
naval bill. when it undertook to construct the
navy by dismissing everybody who legiti-
maiely belonged to the business of construct
ing the navy, and now here was bill for the
consideration of ordinance by wholesale con-
tract, and having in it one of the costliest
Jobs ever presented for the consideration of
Congress. 1t seemed to him that the Ian
gusge of the bill was prepared for the purpose
of building particular kind OF guns, aud
giving one CONTRACTOR the benefit of all con-
tracts hereafter.
After remarks on the pending bill by differ
eut members, the discussion veered around
to Cleveland's letter.
Mr.. Dorsheimer thought the speech made