Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-21
WRTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
sen ATE.


the army by retiring officers who are disabled
and eligible for retirement but who cannot
be retired under the present laws because the
retired list is full.
MI. Gibson gave notice that after the morn
ing business tomorrow he would ask unani-
nous consent to occupy the attention of the
Senate TOR 20 minutes in some remarks on
the question of open executive sessions.
At l2.45 Mr. Frye moved an executive
session, and the motion being agreed to, the
Senate galleries were cleared and the doors
closed.
AT 10 the doors were opened and the Sem
ate adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the House Mr. Reed of Maine. address
ing his remarks to Mr. Tucker of Virginia,
inquired when the Utah bill was to be re-
ported by the judiciary committee.
Mr. Tucker replied that the bill was under
the consideration of the committee. When a
determination 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
measure in which the country was much
Interested. Could the gentleman give no
other answer.
Mr.. Tucker-No other answer
Mr. Reed am sorry for it,
Mr. Mills of Texas, from the committee on
ways and means, reported Joint resolution
to give notice to terminate the convention of
June Sd, 1875 with His Majesty the King of
the Hawaiian Island committee of the whole
Mr.. Breckenridge of Kentucky filed mi
nority repart.
Mr. Collins of Massachusetts, from the
committee on judiciary, reported a bill fixing
thn
at $4,000; committee of the whole
Mr.. O'Donnell of Michigan from the COM
mittee on education, reported the Senate bill
to provide for the study of the nature of al
coholic drinks and narcotics and their effects
upon the human system in military and naval
academies and in Indian and public schools
in the Territories and District of Columbia :;
calendar.
A report accompanying the bill states that
nearly 1000, 900 men and women have pc
titioned the legislatures of different states for
similar laws and up to the present year the
wishes of the people have been complied
with in IA states. As an evidence that the
people earnestly desire law like the one
suggested the committee points to the fact
that petitions bearing the names of II ,276
persons have been presented to this Congress
asking for its enactment. The effect of SINH
lar laws in the different states where they are
in force has, in the opinion of the committee
proven most salutory. Such laws lead to
progress and serve to check the threatening
event to humanity and general welfare. The
report argues that the bill invades no right of
self.government. The measure had the vital
merit of involving no political significance,
but appealed to the very foundations on which
popular self-government rested, the intell-
gence of the people. 1t was difficult to see
how any objection could be raised to such a
statute except by those who fearad to have
the next generation educated on the subject.
1t was universally recognized to be of the most
vital Importance to individual health and
social security.
Mr. Storm of Pennsylvania, from the COM
mittee on civil service reform, reported a
bill amending the statutes so as to give hon
orably discharged soldiers and sailors pref
erence in public appointments calendar
In the morning hour the House resumed
the consideration or the Joint resolution for
the appointment of commission to inquire
into and report upon the condition of the
Indians.
After an unsuccessful attempt by Mr. Hol-
man of Indiana to secure immediate action
on the measure its further consideration was
postponed until May 10.
The remainder of the morning hour was
consumed in an Intellectual effort on the part
of Mr. Forney of Alabama to secure the con-
sideration of the bill for the relief of the
Alabama food sufferers, and then the House
went into committee of the whole on the
river and harbor appropriation BILL
Several amendment were offered to in
crease the appropriation for different items,
but were defeated.
After making considerable progress the
committee rose and the House adjourned.