Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-18
FORTY-ElGHTH CONGRESS-.
Second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. L.
Mr.. Pendleton presented petition of the
Commercial Gazette and other newspapers
praying for reduction of postage on second
class mail matter.
Calls for regular order brought up the bill
to quit the title of the settlers on the Des
Moines river lands
After some remarks by Mr.. Lapham, Mr.
Morgan's motion to indefinitely postpone the
bill was defea,ed-27 to %.
At o'clock the bill, still the unfinished
business OF the morning hour. went over till
tomorrow.
On motion of Mr. Cameron of Wisconsin
the Senate bill authorizing the sale of part
CT the lands of the Winnebago tribe of Ind-
ans in Nebraska, was passed.
The anti-foreign contract labor hill was
then placed before the Senate.
MIR. Miller of New York supported the bill
aud opposed the pending motion which would
strike out the clauses prescribing the penal
ties for violations Of law.
Mr.. Vest expected to vote for the bill He
had no doubt of its consttutonality. 1t was
an exercise of power and right to preserve
the life of our institutions and our civiliza-
ton.
Mr.. Platt, referring to the reflections made
on the course pursued by the Senate in taking
up this bill in preference to the other meas
ares which were said to be of more import
ance, denied with energy that any bill before
the Senate was equal in urgent and far-reach-
ing Importance TO the bill under discussion.
More than One-half of the citizens of the re-
public were working men, and this bill aimed
to keep from them a form of competition that
if permitted to continue would be destructive
to the interests and prosperity of these men.
Mr.. Dawes spoke earnestly and strongly in
favor of it.
MIR. Sherman also strongly supported the
motion of Mr. Bayard to strike out section
3, which prescribes penalty of $1,000 for
violation of the act
The motion was not agreed to--l2 to 40.
Those voting to strike out the penalty sec
ton were: Messrs. Butler, Coke, Colquitt,
Garland, Groome, Hampton, Harris. Morey,
Morgan, salisbury, Slater and Williams
The democrats voting with the republicans
to retain the penalty were Messrs. Brown,
Call, Camden, Fair, George, Gibson, Jack
son, Mcpherson. Pugh, Ransom and Vest.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Butler, Mr.. Blair
consented not to oppose adjournment if a vote
could be unanimously agreed on for o'clock
tomorrow.
Consent was given ard the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
Speaker pro tenn Blackburn laid before
the House communication from the secre
tary of the navy, recommending the estab-
lshment in the principal seaports OF the
country, of stations for the determination of
errors in the compasses OF iron and steel
ships; referred.
The House then proceeded to the consider
alton of business under special rules.
The committee on appropriations reported
the naval bill and gave notice that they would
ask for its consideration tomorrow.
The Senate amendments to the Indian
appropriation bill were non -concurred in.
Mr.. Dorsheimer of New York introduced a
bill to regulate certificates and promote the
coinage of gold and silver; referred to the
committee on coinage.
The bill provides that as soon as practical
BILE the secretary of the treasury shall cause
to be engraved notes of two, five, ten, twenty
dollars, and printed in such quantities as may
be necessary to carry out the provisions of
the act. Said notes when issued shall be
payable on demand in silver dollars of the
present standard of 4S0 grains, troy weight,
or, if the holder prefers, he may receive
standard silver bars stamped by the United
States at the rate of 4S0 grains to the dollar,
Said notes shall be a legal tender for all
debts, public and private, except when other
wise expressly stipulated.
Under the call of States, number of meas
ures were reported and placed upon the cal
endar.
A joint resolution giving notice to the
North German confederation of an intention
to terminate the treaty of 1868, was reported
from the committee on foreign affairs and
placed on the calendar.
The committee on public health reported
resolution recommending the appropriation
committee to insert in the appropriation bill
at item of $500, 900, to be expended in pre-
venting the introduction into the United
States of Asiatic cholera; referred to the
committee on appropriations.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the legislative appropriation
bill.
An amendment was adopted appropriating
$4,000 to enable the committee on labor to
obtain information pertaining to labor in
America and elsewhere.
On motion of MIR. Dingley of Maine an
amendment was adopted requesting the Sec
retary of the treasury to submit to the next
Congress such notifications of law relating
to commerce and navigation, as will simplify
and improve the same, and remove from
American vessels, whether engaged in fishing
or domestic or foreign commerce all unneces-
sary restrictions and burdens.
On motion of Mr.. Long of Massachusetts,,
the paragraph authorizing the President to
discontinue the appointment and services of
officers at ports Of entry in all cases where
for two successive years past the revenues
collected at such ports are less than the sal
ary snd expenses of the officers employed in
duty thereof, was stricken out
The committee then rose and the bill was
passed