The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-28
IN THE SENATE.

In the. Senate yesterday the bill for the
purchase of the square Of ground border
ing tho Capitol grounds on he'east, and
in line with the library building for a
building for the Supreme Court of the
United States, was reported by Mr.. Nor
rill, Republican of Vermont, and placed
on the calendar.
The legislative appropriation bill was
taken up first, the question being on Mr..
Sherman's motion to strike out all the
paragraphs relating to the compensation
of United States attorneys, clerks and
marshals. Pending action on Mr.. Sher-
mans motion, Mr.. Villas, Democrat of
Wisconsin, moved to strike out the Sec
tion in relation to district attorneys and
insert in lieu of it: "Ihat the United
States attorneys for each of the judicial
districts of the United States, except the
southern district of New York, which
shall continue under the existing law,
shall be paid an an annual salary Of
$4,000, except that in the district of Mas
saohusetts (and three others, SSthey shall
be paid an annual salary of $6000.''
Mr.. Villas addressed the Senate in sup
port of the amendment.
Pending action on this motion a reso-
luton was offered by Mr.. Hale, Repub-
lican, of Maine, appointing Theodore F.
Shuey official reporter of the Senate, sub
jsct to all the duties and obligations of
the contract made with D. +. Murphy,
deceased. On objection by Mr. Hill,
Democrat of New York, the resolution
went over.
J The discussion proceeded on Mr.
Vilas's motion to amend the sixth section
and on Mr.. Sherman's motion to strike
out all sections relating to the compen-
sation of judicial offices. MIR. Allison,
chairman of the committee on appropri-
ations, said he concurred in the argu-
ments against general legislation in
the appropriation bills. This was
AN EXCEPTIONAL CASE.
At the close of the discussion the Sen
ate proceeded to vote. The amendment
offered by Mr.. Villas was rejected with
out division. The motion of Mr. Allison
to strike out all sections relating to the
compensation of United States district
attorneys, clerks and marshals was re-
jected, yeas 18. nays 80.
Mr.. Hill moved to strike out the para
raph making an appropriation for the
legislative expenses of the territory of
New Mexico the proviso that the next
session of the legislative assembly shall
commence the first Monday of May, 1897,
He said this was political amendment
to gain political advantage.
| Mr.. Elkins denied it was political
| amendment. Several other senators
took part in the discussion.
| MIR. Cullom moved to table Mr.. Hill's
motion. The motion was agreed to, yeas
81, nays 80. The Democratic senators
were aided by the votes of the Populists
and two Republican Senators, Messrs.
Frye and Wolcott. The bill then passed
without n division.
The Senate after an executive session,
adjourned till Monday.
Extension of Pension Law Proposed.
Washington, March 27.-The House
| committee Oh invalid pensions tod ay or
dered favorable report on the bill ex-
tending the provisions of the exist
pension laws to officers and privates,
| their widows, children, dependent
mothers and fathers of all militia raised
| in the several states during the years 1851
to 1865, who performed military service
| in the federal army during the period OF
ninety days or longer. A certificate OF
discharge from either a state or the
| United States is to be prima facia evil
dence of such service. Great interest is
taken in this measure. 1t has been urged
by delegations from many states.