The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-04-21
XLIXth CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 20.
In the Senate today, Mr.. Butler, in introducing
bill providing for the retirement of disabled Off
GERS of the army, stroye to impress on the military
committee, to which the bill was referred, the
urgent need of some legislation to relieve the aGs
tive list, of the army by retiring officers who are
disabled and eligible for retirement but who can
not be retired under the present laws, because
the retired list is full.
Mr. Gibson gave notice that after the morning
business tomorrow, he would ask unanimous con-
sent to occupy the attention of the Senate for 20
minutes in some remarks on tile question OF open
executive session.
AT 1245 D. m Mr.. Frye moved an executive
session. and the motion being agreed to. the SEN
ate galleries were cleared and the doors were
closed.
At $40 p. m the doors were reopened and the
Senate adjourned.
In the House, Mr. Reed of Maine addressing
his remarks to Mr. Tucker of Virginia, inquired
when the Utah Dill was to be reported by the ju-
dietary committee.
Mr. Tucker replied that the bill was under the
consideration of the committee. When deter
mination had been arrived at, the bill would be
reported adversely or favorably
Mr.. Reed suggested that the bill had been in
the committee long time, and that It was
ested. Could the gentleman give no other
Mr. Tucker-No other answer
Mr.. Reed-I am sorry for it.
Mr.. Mills of Texas. from the committee on
ways and means, reported a joint resolution to
give notice to terminate the convention of June
3, 1875, with His Majesty the King of the Hawa-
ian Islands. Referred to committee of the
whole Mr.. Breckenridge of Kentucky filed mi
MI. Collins of Massachusetts, from committee
on judiciary, reported q bill fixing the salaries
of the United States district judges at $4,000.
Referred to the committee of whole
Mr.. O'Donnell of Michigan, from the committee
on education, reported the Senate bill to provide
narcotics and their effects upon the human sys,
TEN, in the military and naval academies and
the Indian and public schools of the Territories
and of the District of Columbia. Placed on the
House calendar. (The report accompanying the
bill states that nearly 100000 men and women
States for similar laws and up to the present year
the wishes of the people have been complied with
in fourteen States AS evidence tnat the people
desire a law like the one suggested, the commit
tee points to the fact that petitions bearing tne
names of II ,276 persons have been presented to
this Congress asking for its ENACTMENT. The Ell
feet of similar laws in different States where they
are in force has, in the opinion of the committee
proven most salutary. Such laws lead to pro-
gress and serve to check a threatening event to
humanity and the general welfare. The report
argues the bill inyades no right OF self-goVern-
ment, The measure had the vital merit of in
volving no political significance. but appealed to
the very foundations upon which popular sell
government rested, the intelligence OF the people.
1t was difficult to how any objection could be
raised to such statute except by those who
feared to have the next generation educated upon
a subject universally recognized to be of most
vital Importance to individual health and social
securely ,,,,,,;.+oo
Mi. Storm of Pennsylvania, from the committee
ON civil service reform, reported bill amending
The statutes so as to give honorably discharged
soldiers preference in public appointments.
Placed on the calendar. -.
In the morning hour, the House resumed con
sideration of the joint resolution for the ap-
pointed of a commission to inquire INTO ana re-
bort upon the condition of the Indians. After an
Unsuccessful attempt by Mr.. Holman OF Indiana ma
to secure immediate action on the measure lts
further consideration was postponed until May
18th. a oon
The remainder of the morning hour was con
sumed i'm an Intellectual effort on the part OF MI:
Forney of Alabama to secure conslaeIatlolaf vi
the biil for the relief of the Alabama Hood Suner
ers and then the House Went into coinntiet. VI
the whole on the river and harbor approPflAl;o,n ~,
bill. Several amendments were offered 10 IN. III.
crease appropriations for different items d put
were defeated. After making conSlderaOite t pI3-
gress the committee rose and the House at OLD
o'clock adjourned.