Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-15
WRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
Second session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Dec. IA

WAsHISGToS. Dec. IA.
Mr.. Morrill, from the Committee on france
reported back favOrably the bill for the re-
tlrement and recoinake of trade dollsr-. and
Dill to prevent frauds on American manu-
factures. Calendar.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
By Mr. Harrison-To increase the pensions
of those who have disabilities equivalent to
the loss of hand or foot
The Sena'e took up the bill repeating the
tenure OF office Law.
Mr.. Efmunds of Vermont opposed the bill
The law had been in existence nearly twenty
wears President Johnson, TO restrain whom
1t was enacted) obeyed it, although he be
neved 1t unconstitutional, and his successors
had recognized its validity as guide and
restraint Ii there was ans value in that
constitutional power of restraint. invested IN
the Senate, that value was entirely to be de-
stroyej BY the repeal of this statute, and
there would be turned over (as if in affima-
tive language) to the President the power of
immediate removal of every one of the puo-
llc servants whose appointments were con-
frmed by the Senate. That was only Sc
rious step to take. T1is bill was brought
forward IN the apparent aid of their friends
on the other side and relieve the President
VI tue uiiHCutilts anu tHDdrEdssLnenls DOW
attending removals aud suspensions. 1t was
an invitation to him TO make short work of
the whole civil service business and expel
from Office at oBce all officers, who are within
the provisions of the statute. It's passage
would be the greatest practical step backward
on the theory of a reformation of the civil
service of the United States. 1t would be
Affirming that Congress was willing and de-
sirous that the President should exercise his
power of SELF citing persons to fill the offices,
whether these men advised and consented to
1t or not. If he had the slightest doubt of
the constitutionality of the tenure of office, he
would be willing to consider how far that
law trencbed on the executive power, and so
far as II did so, to retreat from it immedi-
ately.
MIR. Hoar advocated the passing of the
bill.
On motion of Mr.. Edmunds at 3 o'clock
the Senate went into executive session, and
whea the doors opened, adjourned.
HOUSE.
The speaker laid before the House a letter
from the secretary of the treasury, submitting
book Of estimates for the fiscal year 1888.
Mr.. Belmont of New York, from the CON-
mittee on foreign affairs, reported back the
treasury for information as to wha. interpre-
taton is given by the treasury department to
the tariff laws of 1888, which in one section
declares that fish, fresh for immediate con-
sumption, shall be free of tax on arrival at
our sea and lake ports, and in another section
declares that foreign caught fish, imported
fresh, shall be taxed at the rate of 80 cents
per 100 pounds. Also requesting him to
transmit copies of all official correspondence
on the subject together with the statement OF
duties collected each year, since 1865, on the
several descriptions of fish caught in lakes or
Canadian tributaries thereof or in the North
Atlantic Adopted.
Bills were report, d for the erection of pub
lie buildings at Essrport, Me.
On motion of MIR. Hoar the House amend
ments to the electoral count bill were non.
concurred in, and conference asked. Sen
ators Hoar Edmunds and Pugh were appoint
ed conferees on the part of the Senate.
Mr.. Mcpherson introduced bill to amend
the oeomargarine bill. Referred.
Also bill for the presentation of medals
to each of the officers and soldiers who vol.
unteered for three months service under the
Presidents call of April Is, 1861. Referred.
The morning hour in the House was con-
sumed in the discussion Of the bill granting
Cinnabar & Clark's Fork X. r. Co. the right
of wsv through the northern portion of Yel-
lowstone Park, Montana.
As the bill WAS being considered in the
committee of the whole, Mr.. Cox moved to
strike out the enscting clause. Agreed to-
l07 to 65; but before action was taken by the
House the morning hour expired.
Mr.. Morrison OF Illinois, said, in view OF
the absence of several members. he desired
to gve notice that on Saturday next he would
move the House GO into committee of the
whole on the revenue bill.
The House then went into committee OF
the whole on the sundry civil appropriation
bill.
Messrs. Ryan of Kansas and Long of Mas,
sachusetts criticised the bill a. being made
quate and contended that the appropriations
were not made with an eye to public service
but with a view to carrying out the foolish
policy that no appropriation of this should
exceed the appropriation of last year for a
similar object.
The bill was read by paragraphs for amend.
ments. Various amendments were adopted
and pending further action the committee
rose, and the House at o'clock. adjourned.