The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-27
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

w WASHINGION, July Au'
Senator Blair, from the committeeIon edu-
cation and labor, submitted favorable re-
port from majority of the committee on the
Joint resolution proposing that an amend
ment to the constitution in relation TO alco-
holic liquors and other poisonous beverages,
be submitted to the legislature OF the States
for ratification. Tho amendment PROVIDES
that after the year 1900 the manufacture, sale
and importation of distilled alcohollc, lntoxl-
eating liquors, except for medicinal, mecnan,
ical chemical and scientific purposes, ana
for use in arts, shall cease.
The report which accompanies the pro-
posed amendment says the committee does
not deem it necessary to discuss the evils OF
the use of alcohol, but believes the people
have right to decide what measures shall
be taken for the regulation or extirpation OF
this traffic. "Why? it asks should they be
denied an opportunity to be heard in the on
ly forum that can pass upon the queStlon'
When any considerable and respectable Por,
tion of the American people desire 70 pleau
their cause in the great tribunal OF sover-
eigns. who, in free country, decide every
question of fundamental issue in last re-
sort it is the duty of Congress to enact such
preliminary legislation as Is here proposed,
SO that, under the, forms Of the constlt9ti?on On
amendment To deny this is OF the very es-
sence of despotism and for Congress unreas-
onably to refuse hearing is just cause 1or
revolution.
MT, bldlT IrOu LuG COulllllLtCc OA COuO0oAOh
and labor, reported back. the Houseabl dl-
recting the commissioners to make lnvestlga-
tions as to convict labor. 1t was passed.
Mr. ingalls, offered resolution, which was
adopted, requesting the President to com,
municate information concerning the alleged
retention of A. K Cutting, an: American
citizen, by Mexican authorities at Paso @ deI
Norte. Also whether any additional united
States troops had been recently ordered TO
Fort Bliss.
consideration of the defence appropriation
bill.
A number of minor items were inserted
and the bill was then reported. back 10 the
Senate and all amendments being concurred
in the bill was passed. ,,. I'll
munds, went into secret session atter oruer-
ing recess from 6 to s o'clock.
At o'clock the Senate took q recess
until O'Clock lat which hour consideration
of the executive business IN SecreI SeSSion
will be resumed.
The reading of the bill being completed,
and all amendments reported by the commit
tee on appropriations being disposed OF, the
bill was open to general amendment. .o-,
On motion of Mr.. Hale an item OF $972
was inserted to pay Chester A. Arthur on
account of expenses as collector OF customs
at New York; also an item OF $24S, 900 1or re-
payment to importers OF duties PAID IN eXe
cess also an item of 1926, ia on account OF
mall TRANSPORTATION ONtI uOl-ouUolulLCu lo.t-
roads operated by the Central Pacific Rail
road Co.: for fiscal year ending June 80, 1885,
and prior years.
The Senate reconvened at s o'clock in Sc
cret session. The confirmation Oh Coilectfor f
Thomas .Hanlon, .of Indiana, was the
question under discussion.
The charges against Mr.. HanlOn were I'M
morality and incompetency. Inere were puG
few more than a quortm OF the senator's
present, and attention being called TO thls
r l. 81 doc 10 fhn
postponement of action till tomorrow. Inc
greater part of tomorrow may be passed IN
secret session, it having been decided not 70
take up the Notifications appropriation Dill
till Wednesday.
At S.45 o'clock the doors were reopened
and upon motion of Mr.. Sawyer the Senate
proceeded to the consideration OF private
pension bills which had been favorably re-
ported. Fifty were passed, including one
granting a pension to the widow OF General
Durbin Ward.
Consideration of public building bills was
taken up on motion of Mr.. Malone and after
passing several the Senate at 1910 O'Clock
adjourned.
In the House Mr. Holman, of Indiana,
| from the conference committee on the legls-
| lative, executive and judicial bill, reported a
| disagreement. The real point OF dliference
| was the Senate amendment providing 1or
| Senator's clerks
Mr. Oats, Of Alabama, moved tnat tne
| House recede from the Senators clerks
| amendment. The motion was lost, yeas SO,
nays 121. Further conference was ordered.
| The House then took up for consideration
the Northern Pacific land grant forfeiture
| bill. The committee recommend that In lieu
of the Senate bill there be substituted the
| provisions of the House bill on the same sub
| ject A..
| equitable and legal power of Congress to
| pass the Senate bill. Mr.. Payson, of Illinois,
| entered upon an exhaustive review OF the
| case but pending the conclusion OF his re-
| marks the House at O'Clock adjourned.