Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-31
Conference Report Of Amend
mentS to the POrtifCa-
tionS Bill.
Senator Blair Seeks Investigation Of the
HeritS Of Mechanical Telegraphy.
Anderson and Holman Have Their
Amendments to the Oklahoma
Bill Rejected.
WAsHIxeroS, Aug. 80.
6enate.

Mr. DIdif OueTeu fesOiulOn WHICH WAS
referred TO the committee on contingent ex-
penses, ,instructing the committee on interstate
commerce to examine fully into the system
of mechanical telegraph now on exhibition at
the capitol, and to secure the aid of compe-
tent and disnterested experts He had been
told by Mr.. Craig: owner of the patents, that
two thousand words could be sent ON the
wires at the cost of single letter postage.
He did not know whether there was anything
in it, but he wanted to have the matter con-
sidered.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the Presidents retaliation message, and
Mr.. George proceeded with the speech which
he began on Wednesday
Culom addressed the Senate on the same
subject, and at the close of his remarks the
subject was laid aside without action.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the fertilization bill with the amendments
recommended by the committee on appro-
priation.
The first amendment to insert a new sec
ton providing for a supervisory board, was
agreed to with some modification. Other
amendments were agreed TO, which increased
from S200, 900 to $500, 900, the item for
torpedos for harbor defense, inserting an
item of 100000 for examining, testing and
experimenting with pneumatic and other
dynamite guns, reducing the Appropriation
for erection or purchase of a gun factory
machinery, materials and arsenals at West
Troy, New York, from $3.50, 900 to $3.50, 900,
increasing the appropriation for steel for
guns from 81 100000 to 50 100000 and
inserting the word American" before word
forging" reducing the appropriation for
the purchase of ~ inch breech loading r. fled
mortars, hooped with steel, similar TO the
one now at the ordinance proving ground at
Sandy Hook, from $500, 900 10 $3.50, 900.
The next amendment reported by committee
on appropriations was the insertion of an
additional section making provision for the
purchase of not less than 80 or more than
100 cast iron, breech-loading mortars of u
inch calibre at a cost not to exceed $500
each, also for the purchase of not less than
800 ten inch single charge breech loading
steel guns, and not less than 80 twelve inch
steel guns. Without disposing of thus
amendment, and after long discussion on
fortltication, the bill went over till to NOR
row.
Cullom offered a resolution, which was
laid over, directing the secretary of the
treasury 10 inform the Senate whether the
transit in bond, over OF across the territory
of the United States, without the payment of
uutlts Un ROuus, WATTS DtItHduuise,
coming from Canadian points, have been
permitted since July /, 1855, when article
29 of the treaty of Washington, and section
of the act of March /, 1873, said to be
ceased is to be in force if so, to what ex-
tent and by what authority.
The Senate then ad djoured until tomorrow.
House.
The House went into a committee of the
whole on the Oklahoma bill.
The pending amendment was that offered
by MIR. Anderson, providing that honorably
discharged soldiers and sailors of the war of
the rebellion shall be permitted to enter the
lands in the proposed territory without pay
ment of the purchase price provided for by
the bill.
Rejected by vote Of y to 90
Mr.. Holman offered an amendment provd-
ing that no person shall be authorized to en-
ter land who is the owner of eighty acres of
land or more in any State or territory, or
who shall have sold eighty acres or more
within ninety days before applying to make
the entry.
The amendment was defeated by vote of
% to so, and Holman made a point of no
quorum, but withdrew it on the assurance
that he would be permitted to offer an amend
ment in the House aud have yea and nay
vote upon it.
The committee rose informally and in or
der to allow McCreary to report from the
committee on foreign. affairs, a substitute
for the Wilson retaliation bill and gave no.
tice that he would call it up for consideration
Saturday next.
Springer hoped the members of the House
would appreciate the Importance of the sub
ject sufficiently to be in their seats while it
was considered
The bill was ordered printed and recon-
mitted and McCreary stated that it would be
reported back Saturday.
The committee on the Oaklahoma bill re-
sumed its sitting.
The entire afternoon was consumed in un-
successful efforts to secure a quorum to vote
upon the amendments offered and without ac-
ton the committee rose.
Springer as a privileged question offered
resolution directing the sergeant at arms
to telegraph absent members their presence
wssrq red INN edat,ly.
Cannon doubte the efficiency of telegram,
If the utterance of the leader Mills who said
at Chicago that the British lion was to be
taken by the snout would not bring the men,
bers back, what would simple little tele
gram do.
The speaker ruled that the resolution was
not in order At > o'clock the House sd-
journed
Notes.
The superintendent'so of foreign mails report
shows the total cost of the service for the
fiscal wear TO be S4n0 067 of which 1858 1852