National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-21

Inc galleries OF the House yesterday
morning were enllvened by the uniforms OF
members of the 9TH regiment OF New York,
who were taking advantage OF their soiourn
in Washington TO visit the capitol and view
the lawmakers In session.
Mr.. Reed, OF Maine, addressing his re.
marks TO Mr.. Tucker, OF Virginia, inquired
when the Utah bill was TO DO reported by
the ju Jiciary committee.
Mir. Tucker replied that the bill was be-
ing considered by the committee. Whena
determination had bees arrived at, tae
bill would BIO reported, adversely or FAVOR
ably.
Mr.. Reed suggested that the bill had been
in committee long time, and 10 was a
measure In which the country was much
interested. Could tho gentleman give no
other answer
Mr.. Tucker (dryly). No other answer.
Mr.. Reed with equal dryness). 1 AN
sorry forit.
In the morning hour the House resumed
the consideration Of the joint resolution
for the appointment Of a commission to In
quire into and report upon the condition Of
the Indians.
After an unsuccessful attempt by Mr..
Holman, Of Indiana, to secure immediate
action on the measure, It's further consid-
Grafton was postponed until May 10.
The remainder Of the morning hour was
consumed In an Intellectual effort on the
part Of Mr.. Forney, Of Alabama, to secure
the consideration OF the bill for the relief
OF the Alabama flood sufferers, and then
the House went into committee of the
whole (Mr. Wellborn, Of Texas, In the
chair) on the river and harbor appropria-
tion bill.
Smooth progress was made In the bill un-
I'll an obstacle was reached in proviso au-
thorizing the Secretary Of War 10 accept
for the United States from the marine hos
pital OF Erie, Pa, the title to the PEN
insula OF Presque Isle at Erie. Against
this proviso Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia,
raised the point Of order that It had no
place In a river and harbor bill. Arguments
In support Of the point were presented by
Mr.. Hewitt, Of New York, and Mr.. Springer,
OF Illinois, while Mr.. Bayne and Mr.. Scott,
OF Pennsylvania, took a different view OF
the case. The point was finally overruled
by the chair, who was satisfied that the
possession OF the peninsula by the United
States was an element In the work Of i'm
proving the harbor OF Erie; and motion
to strike out the proviso was rejected by
the committee.
Mr.. buchanan, OF New Jersey, offered an
amendment appropriating $4,000 for i'm
proving the harbor at Atlantic City.
He dwelt'upon the necessity Of provid
ing harbor Of refuge for the large num-
passing Atlantic City, engaged In the coast
ing trade. Mr.. willis, OF Kentucky, said
that the committee had refused to make
this appropriation, because II would not
accomplish the object In view, because It
would destroy the surf bathing at Atlantic
City, and because the work was not pub
lie necessity.
The amendment was lost.
Mr.. Lore, Of Delaware, moved to increase
from 900 to $75, 900 the appropriation
for the improvement Of the Wilmington
DELI harbor. Lost.
Mr.. Compton, Of Maryland, offered an
amendment increasing from 100000 to
$4,000 the appropriation for Baltimore
harbor, and he urged its adoption on the
ground that the work at that harbor was q
national Improvement In which the entire
country was interested. His effort TO secure
the increased appropriation was earnestly
seconded by Mr.. McComas, OF Maryland,
but they were unsuccessful, and the amend
ment was defeated. Mr.. McAdoo, Of New
Jersey, moved TO strike out the appropria-
tion for Breton bay harbor, Maryland. II
was such items as this, he said, that
compelled gentlemen TO vote against
the bill. There was no constitu
tional warrant for IL, but when q
river and harbor was under consideration,
nnd constitutional objection was In the
way, gentlemen jumped through the con
stitution with the agility Of circus acrobat
jumping through paper-covered hoop.
The motion was lost.
Mr.. Skinner, of North Carolina, made
several efforts TO increase the appropriation
for harbors In North Carolina, but without
success. ------
After making little more progress the
committee rose, and the House and lat 5;15,
adjourned.