The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14
THE HOUSE.


ments were concurred in to the House bill to
prevent unlawful occupation of public lands.
Mr. Willis moved that when the House went
into committee of the whole on the river and
harbor bill all debate on the pending sections be
closed in one hour and half.
Mr. Reed raised the point that this motion
was not in order as it was incompetent
for the House to close debate on paragraphs of
the bill not yet read in committee.
The Speaker pro tenn, Mr.. Blackburn, said this
point would be we'll taken if directed against
general appropriation bill, but it had been
repeatedly held that the river and harbor bill
was not such measure. He overruled the point
of order.
Mr. Reed appealed from the decision. Such
ruling, he said, would establish precedent of
the most astonishing character. and one which
must necessarily recoil on both sides of the
House. In the rule which allowed debate to be
closed upon pending paragraphs distinction
was made between general appropriation bills
and other bills, and it was not possible for any
member to give any ground of difference between
them.
Mr.. Long called the attention of the House to
the fact that if the principles involved in the
decision of the Speaker were carried out, it
would be in the power of any committee to put
the entire bill in section and then cut of de-
bate upon that section.
After further debate, Mr.. Willis moved to lay
the appeal on the table, which was agreed to
yeas l2l, nays 1O4-and then though it was two
minutes past H. the House adjourned, and was
Immediately called to order again for Fridays
session.
Mr.. Henley, from the committee on public
lands, reported back the resolution requesting
the President to inform the House what were
the reasons which impelled him TO appoint a
commission to examine the line of the California
& Oregon railway, said railroad company having
failed to complete it's road within the time
required by law
Mr.. Oates offered as substitute resolution
respectfully requesting the President not to con-
firm any favorable report which may be made by
the commission recently appointed by him to in
spect section of the California 81 Oregon road.
| nor order patents to issue until the Senate acts
upon the House bill FORGETTING certain lands
granted to aid in the construction of that rail-
road, nor until after adjournment of the present
| Congress He offered this substitute, he said,
because he did not think the original resolution
| was exactly respectful to the President, and
would not accomplish the purpose intended.
| The substitute was ruled out on q point Of
order.
| MIR. Henley demanded the previous question,
| but no quorum voted.
| Mr.. Horn raised that point, saying such an out
rage should not be perpetrated the executive
without debate.
| The previous question was seconded-116 to
| 47-on a vote by telers.
Mr.. Steele moved to lay the resolution on the
| table. Lost-42 to 49,
The resolution was then passed.
The House then proceeded to consideration of
business under the special rule.
On motion of Mr. Thompson, bill was passed
amending the Pacific railway act so as to author.
ize the construction of a road from Sioux City,
Ia. to Granger w. 7.
On motion of Mr. Hill, Senate bill was
passed, with amendments amending sections
2474 and 2475. Revised Statutes, relating to the
Yellowstone National Park.
On motion of Mr.. Willis, it was ordered that
at 1Gfoclock tonight the House shall take re-
cess until 10 o'clock to morrow.
The House then went into committee of the
whole-Mr. Springer in the chair-on the post
office appropriation bill, the pending question
being ON the point of order raised by Mr.. Hol-
man against the paragraph allowing additional
compensation to American steamships for carry
ing ocean mails.
After debate, the Chair, in rendering his de-
cision, said that if it were proper to look upon
section 1916, Revised Statutes, as existing law
there could be no difficulty in ruling upon the
point of order: but the Chair was Of opinion
that, as the pending legislation did not take eff
feet until the LIST of January next, all ques-
m Sns be determined was With sA referenes
to that time. Section % of the Dingley bill
repealed section 1916. to take effect the 1st of
April next and the Chair would hold that the
Dingley bill was the existing law. The remain
ing statutes relating to the subject sections
4007, 40O6, 1909, and ALL The first of these Sec
tions was one giving unlimited power to the
Postmaster general TO make contracts for carry
u
that power, by providing that compensation
should not exceed sea and inland postage. Sec
ton 40l1 contained q provision that the govern
ment could at any time, determine these con-
tracts. The Chair did not think this sec
ton was modified by the pending bill All
contracts made under it would be subject to Sec
ton 40l1. The only existing law which the bill
changed was section 4009, and in this change
there was retrenchment of expenditures, mas
much as it will further limit the power of the
Postmaster general and provided that he should
not exceed for ocean-mail transportation the
sum of $780, 000 The Chair, therefore, over
ruled the point of order. He, however, ruled out
that portion of the paragraph which provides
that vessels engaged in the service shall be of
American registry, and SHALL in time of war, be
liable to charter or purchase by the United
States at reasonable rates
Mr.. Holman appealed from the decision of the
Chair, but the committee, by vote Of 130 to A.
sustained the ruling
Mr.. Holman then moved to strike out the par
agraph and to insert an amendment appropri-
ating 1926 900 for transportation of foreign
mails, including railway transit across the
Isthmus of Panama, and re-enacting, for one
year from July next sections 1916 and 4203,
Revised Statutes
After long debate Mr. Holman modified his
motion so as to move merely to strike out the
provision, without insertion of the clause re-
enacting sections 1916 and 4203, Revised Stat
utes,
The motion reiected-105 to 97-amid ap-
applause the Democratic side
Mr. Horn gave notice that he would demand q
yea and nay vote in the House.
On motion of Mr.. Bingham an amendment
was adopted providing that the rate on drop let
ters, including delivery at etter-carrier Offices,
shall be two cents per ounce.
The committee rose and reported the bill to
the House, and, the previous question having
been ordered on the bill, the House took recess
until o'clock the evening session to be for con-
sideration of pension bills
The House, at the evening session, passed a
number of private bills and took recess until
tomorrow.
Mr.. Hendricks Wants to Learn How.
Chicago News.
"Well, Mr.. Hendricks, Khartoum has at last
fa1ian