The Portland daily press., 1886-07-14
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, July 13.
The Chair laid before the members the res
olutions of the convention of the Republic
can editors of Ohio, urging an investigation
of the charges as to the election of Senator
Payne. 1t was referred to the committee on
privileges and elections.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the calendar. The bill authorizing final
adjustment of the claims of foreign steam
ship companies arising from illegal eXactlon
of tonnage dues was called up and again
went over.
The Senate then resumed consideration Of
the river and harbor appropriation bill, the
pending amendment being to strike out the
provision to prevent the dumping of debris
from hydraulic mining into the Sacramento
or Father rivers of California.
The Senate amendment relative to the pub
lication of the records of the rebellion was
concurred in with the amendment reported
from the committee on appropriations Tor
the publication OF papers relating TO the de-
fence in the case of Fitz John Porter. This
concluded the consideration, and confer
ence was asked upon the amendments, which
was nOn-concurred in.
The subject was discussed by Messrs.
Dolph, Mitchell of Oregon, Stanford, Jones
of Nevada, Teller and ingalls,.
The question was taken on striking out the
provision directing legal proceedings to pre-
vent the dumping of detritus in the Sacra-
mento river. The provision was struck out.
The next important amendment In the Dill
was to strike out the provision for the i'm
proyement of the Mississippi river, and to
insert those reported by the committee on
commerce. The whole amount OF approprl-
alton for the various sections OF the river IS
1926, 900.
After some discussion, Mr.. Harrison moved
to amend the provision authorizing the re-
pair and building of levees by adding the
words 'but not below the reaches OF the rlv-
er, which are being improved by them, I'M
less necessary to prevent or close injurious
creyaSSeS.
Mr.. Gibson opposed the amendment as be-
ing at variance with the judgment of the
commission.
After a discussion, the amendment was
adopted, and then the amendment as report
ed by the committee was adopted.
Mr.. Hale moved to strike out section two
which declares it unlawful to empty or un-
load ballast stones, rubbish or refuse, or mill
waste of any kind into any port, roadstead,
harbor, haven, navigable river, or other wa
tiers of the United States for the improve
ment of which Congress has made OF may .ly
thereof. This, he said, was exercising juris-
diction never attempted before. He was not
prepared to go to any such extent. Some
| thing had to be left to the States.
Mr.. Butler suggested motion to strike out t
| the extended sections from to 8, as they all
referred to the same subject.
Mr.. Hale assented to the suggestion.
Mr.. Teller supported Mr.. Hale's motl0n,
| and the Chair acknowledged the proposed
| legislation as most extraordinary.
Mr. Conger defended the proposed legisla-
| tion.
Mr. Hale denounced the proposed leglsla-
| tion, which, he said, like devil fish, reached
| in its arms and tore and mangled every strip
| of State jurisdiction that was left over inter-
nal waters.
| Mr.. Edmunds said he would vote to strike
out all these sections as being out of place
in the appropriation bill, but would favor an
independent bill to punish persons for OBJ
structing. navigable. rivers of the United
It % were so foolish) to toss biscuit into the
| bay of New York, but could not make it a
| crime to toss biscuit into little stream neal
which he lived in Vermont This legisla-
tion was far beyond, not only the constitu--
tional power Of Congress, but beyond what
On motion of Mr. Hoar, the words ''to sub
stantial injury to navigation" were inserted
/ in the section.
Mr.. Hale's motion to strike out the sec
| ond section was postponed till after the com
mittee amendments were disposed of.