Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-18
FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
SENATE.

The chair laid before the Senate letter
frcn the secretary of the treasury trans,
mfting additional information as to the ac.
counts of Alfred B. Meacham, late superin-
tendent of Indian affairs in Oregon.
Among the bills presented was one by Mr..
Morrill, in aid of education in the States.
bill was introduced by Mr. Hoar pro.
viding for the erection of a suitable monu.
ment at Washington TO Gen. Grant. The
bill appropriates Sl50,000.
Mr.. Logan suggested to Mr.. Hoar that the
amount be increased to S250,000. He did
not think that an appropriate monument
could be secured for Sl50,000. By unani-
nous consent Mr.. Hoar increased the amount
accordingly, and the bill was referred to the
committee on the library.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. FRYE.
which was agreed to, calling on the secretary
OF state for copy of the report made by
Frederick Raine, United States consul at
9erin on the shipping interests of Germany.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
tion of the bills on the calendar
bill providing for the punishment by
fine OF not more than $500 and imprisonme,
OF not more than one year. or both, of per-
sons going on Indian lands with the purpose
of occupying the same was taken up and
passed.
On reaching the bill for tine admission of
Washington Territory as State of the
Union, Mr.. Platt said that according to no.
tice already given by him he would call up
that bill as soon as the pending educational
bill should be disposed of.
Mr.. Hoar indicated that he would move
the consideration of the bankruptcy bill when
the Senate should have completed the con-
sideration of the education bill, he having
given notice to that effect before the latter
bill was taken up.
The bill to provide for the allotment of
land in severalty to Indians was next con-
sidered.
At two o'clock the Iudian bill went over
and the consideration of the educational bill
was resumed.
Without further debate the Senate agreed
to the amendment proposed by the education
committee. striking out the special appro-
priation for school buildings. The amend
ment proposed by Mr.. Teller was also agreed
to without debate, providing that none of the
money appropriated by the bill should not be
paid to the State until its legislature should
accept the provisions of the bill.
Mr.. Plumb moved to amend so as to make
the legislature of the State determining au-
thority as to the application of that portion
to be applied to the education of teachers.
The amendment, somewhat modified by
Mr.. Hoar, was agreed to.
Mr.. Butler inquired of Mr.. Blair as to a
certain clause of the bill. whether it meant
that the States were commanded by its pro-
vision to keep their common schools up to a
mark at which they shall have arrived on the
expiration of the eight years contemplated by
the bill.
Mr.. Blair did not so understand.
Mr.. Butler moved to strike out the phrase
which he maintained admitted of the con-
struction indicated, and it was struck out.
Mr.. Malone moved an amendment requir-
ing the governor of a state 10 furnish the
secretary of the interior each year particu-
lars as to the population, white and colored,
in each school district, the number of white
and colored children of school age in each
such district, the number attending school,
etc.
Pending action on this amendment MIR.
Edmunds moved that the House go into ex-
ecutive session.
The bill was ordered reprinted as thus
amended and the Senate then at 4.30 o'clock
went into executive session and when the
doors reopened adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Jones of Texas, from the committee
on post offices, reported a bill granting the
frankng privilege to Julia d. Grant; House
calendar.
In the morning hour Mr.. Peters of Kansas
called up and the House passed the bill to
make allowances for clerk hire to post
masters in first and second class post Offices
to cover the cost of the clerical labor in the
money order business.
Mr. Warren called up aud the House
passed bill reducing from eight to five
cents the charge for money orders not ex-
ceeding five dollars.
Mr.. Cobb of Indiana, on behalf of the COM
mi,tee on public lands, called up the bill
forfeiting the Atlantic and Pacific land
grants. The bill forfeits only lands adjacent
to the uucompletd portions of the road.
Mr.. McKea of Arkansas offered as a sub
stitute the report of the minority OF the com
mittee forfeiting the entire land grant.
Pending discussion the morning hour
expired and the house went into committee
of the whole on the Fitz John Porter bill.
Arguments were delivered in favor of the
bill bv Messrs. Laird of Nebraska, Weber of
New York and Oates of Alabama, the latter
being listened to with great attention as he
based his argument upon personal knowledge
of the incidents of the 29th of August
Messrs. Kelley of Pennsylvania and Thoma:
of Illinois opposed the bill. The committee
then rose and the House adjourned.