Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-25
WRTY-NINTH CONGRESN.
First Session,
SENATE.

"AShiNolOS. " May 4.
In the Senate today after the routipe morn.
Ing business motion was made by Mr.. Saw
yer TO proceed to the consideration of private
pension cases. 1t was agreed to and such
OIL were taken up in their order on the cal
endar.
MT. Cockreil OF Missouri insisted on hav-
ing the reports read in 3 number of cases and
nao some of the bills that he considered of
uouot1ui proprlety postponed. In short
ueoate upon one OF the bills covering a case
,nat had been rejected by the pension officer.
MT. Cockrell said that the division officer
VINO mad rejected so plain and well proven a
case ought TO be discharged from the service
of the United States.
A number of pension bills having been dis
posed of, the bankruptcy bill was laid before
the Senate, and with Mr. Hoar's assent. was
laid aside Informally in favor of the District
OF Columbia appropriation bill That bill in
turn, with the assent of Mr.. Plumb, was al.
lowed to stand over in order to permit Mr..
HiDson to address the Senate on the subject
OF Mr. Platt's resolution regarding open ex-
ecutive sessions.
Mr Gibson denied that any necessity ex-
lsted tor the discussion of treaties in secret.
ne MADE special reference in connection with
thls point, to the Mexican and Hawaiian trea-
Ties, which ne claimed affected questions of
revenue, and should be discussed not secretly
Dut with the utmost publicity in order that
the people OF the United States might decide
lor themselves whether these treaties are
really tor national benefit or only for the
oehent o1 few individuals. With regard to
consideration of nominations for offices, Mr..
Hloson maintained that the offices belonged
to the people. Selections for offices were
kx
nomination In the case of persons who were
candidates for elective offices, the character
and qualifications of the applicant were fully
discussed IN public and in press. This was
right and reasonable. Why should not the
same rule apply TO persons selected for office
by appointment? Offices were created not
TOR the benefit of Office holders, nor as OBJ
Jects OF official patronage, nor as personal OF
polltical perquisities, but for the necessary
work OF the people. People out of their own
pockets paid the office holders and the people
therefore had right to know about the DUAL.
lncations OF persons proposed for office,
whether they were to be appointed or elected.
Mr.. Gibson spoke at considerable length and
was frequently interrupted with questions
from different Senators.
MIR. Morrill, said he expected to speak
against open executive session and inquired
when the matter was to be discussed.
Mr.. Platt said that he would move to take
up his resolution Immediately after the dis
posal Of the bankruptcy bill.
The matter of executive sessions was here
dropped and the Senate took up the bank
ruptcy bill.
Mr.. Plumb opposed the bill as being in the
interest of great cities like New York anG
Boston and against the interests of smaller
dealers throughout the country He re-
garded it as most vicious bill.
MIR. HOar defended the bill differing en-
tirely from Mr.. Plumb as to its effect and con
tended that it was decidedly in favor of small
traders, many of whom without such bank
ruptcy law if overtaken by misfortune woulC
have to go through life as paupers.
After further debate the Senate, at SIS
adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the House Mr.. Dingey of Maine, from
the shipping committee, reported back tht
shipping bill with the recommendation tina
certain of the Senate amendments be con
CURED in and others non-concurred in.
The recommendation of the committee wa
agreed to.
Among the amendments non-cencurred il
The speaker announced the appointment o
conferees on the post Office appropriation bill
By vote OF l03 yeas to SO nays the House
passed a bill granting an increase of pension
to the widow of Commander L. A. Craven.
Mr.. Bennett of North Carolina introduced
bill to divide the surplus money in tn,
treasury on the first of June, 1886, amons
the several states and territories for educa
tional purposes referred
Then struggle for priority OF considera
ton arose between special orders. After
| sharp debate the House went into com
mittee OF the whole on general revenue bills
The first measure of this character on the
calendar was the Morrison tariff bill, which
was passed over without objection, but
contest was made over setting aside the mex
revenue bill, it being one to reduce the mum
Der of internal revenue offices.
The matter was submitted to the House
for determination and that body having de
cided-yess 1876, nays S6-to pass over thu
internal revenue bill the committee resumed
its session and the oleomargarine bill wa
taken up.
Remarks were made by Messrs. Scott o
Pennsy ylvania, Hopkins of Illinois aud His
cock of New York in favor of the bill, Will,
Messrs. Hammond of Georgia and Reagan o
Texas opposed it on the ground of unconsti
tutionaliy.
Without action the committee rose and tn,
House at 5 o'clock adjourned.