1885. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 151 and cheaper vessels and supplies of Canadians engaged in this industry, but also Mary Riley, .John R. Collett, Eliza Mason, and John C. Sayers, ;19k­ and especially because it i'! a ·nursery of seamen from which the nation has in the past drawn the men that have defended our flag on the ocean in ti:meofwar, ing for pensions-to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. and which it is as essential to maintain as a resource and defense in case of a Also, petition of Rebecca Robinson, asking for pension-to the Com­ conflict with na-.al power as it is to erect forts and build n. nn.vy. mittee on Pensions. And as in duty bound will eyer pray. .Also, petition of W. G. Collier, praying payment of claim; also of .1\fr. MORRISON. I move that the House do now adjourn. James Gannfor return of whisky tax-to the Committee on Claims . The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at2o clock and 35min- Also, of D. 1\I. Yocum, asking relief from stolen postage-stamp -to utes p. m.) the House adjourned. · the same committee. Also, of L. D. Hutchinson, for reimbursement of money expended in defending prosecutions-to the same committee. PETITION'S, ETC. Also, of S. R. 1\Iershon, for relief; and paper relating to claim of .J. S. The following petitions and papers were laid on the Clerk's desk, Fisk-to the same committee. under the rule, and referred as follows: Also, petitions of W. R. Boice; of James Clark Smith; of Archibald By Mr. BAYNE: A bill for thereliefof Joseph Walton &Co.-tothe B. Rue; of Edmond Penn; of Andrew C. Meadows; ofWilli..'tmD. Wol­ Committee on Claims. ford; ofT. 1\I. Pennington; of George W. Sweeney; of Sarah Wills; of By Mr. BLANCHARD: Memorial of the Chamber of Commerce of Benjamin W. Sloan; of John Hoffman; of C. K. Coffey; of John Owens; New Orleans, favoring Eads's ship-railway across the Isthmus of. Te­ of W. F. Goggin, and of the heirs of Amanda Goggin, deceased, for huantepec-to the Committee on Commerce. relief-to the Committee on War Claims. Also, memorial of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange, asking atl in­ Also, papers relating to the claim of Capt. J. B. Sinclair, United vestigation of the claimed discovery in Brazil and Mexico of prevention, States Army, retired, for relief-to the Committee on Iilitary Affairs. by inoculation, of yellow-fever infection-to the Select Committee on Also, papers relating to the claim of First Lieut. M. 0' Brien, for re­ the Public Health. lief-to the same committee. By Mr. BRECKINRIDGE: Petitions of .Julia F. Crosby, adminis Also, petition of 1\Iilton Burch, late private Company C, Thirteenth tratrixofW. M. Crosby, deceased; ofP.A. Willis; of Sarah Case, widow Kentucky Cavalry, for removal of charge of desertion against him-to of George Case, deceased; and of Thomas Watkins, asking that their the same committee. several claims be referred to the Court of Claims under act of March 3, Also, papers relating to the claim of Firs't Lieut. L. W. Cooke, for re­ 1885-to the Committee on War Claims. lief-to the same committee. By Mr. BUCHANAN: Memorials of Henry R. Pierson and William Also, petition of John A. Morrison, for additional pay as officer in the Dennody-to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Army-to the same committee. By Mr. BUTTERWORTH: Papers relating to the claim of .Joseph Also, petition of A. Brown, for removal of charge of desertion against Connerat, of Savannah, Ga., for reference to the Court of Claims under him-to the same committee. act March 3, 1883-to the Committee on War Claims. Also, petition ofT. C. Winfrey, for relief-to the same committee. By Ur. CURTIN: Petition of William Fichthom, capfuin Company Also, petition of Nathaniel Warford, for back-pay-to the same com­ C, One hundred and :first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, mittee. for increase of pension-to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. NEAL: Petition of the city of Chattanooga, for street across By Mr. FORNEY: Petition for the relief of Samuel Noble-to the United States grounds at Chattanooga, Tenn.-to the Committee on Committee on the .Judiciary. Public Buildings and Grounds. By Mr. HAMMOND: Petition of F. P. Westmoreland, of Georgia, By 1\Ir. O'HARA: Petition of Furnifold Jtiercer, praying reference of for a fee for representing the United States in the district court of the claim to Court of Claims, under act of 1\fa.rch 3, 1883-to the Commit­ United States at At1'Ulta, Ga.., with accompanying papers-to the tee on War Claims. . Committee on Claims. By 1\fr. PHELPS: Petition of residents oi:Morris County, New Jer­ By Mr. HEPBURN: Petition of many citizens of Lucas County, sey, in favor of Mexican reciprocity tr&'tty-to the Committee on Ways Iowa, asking that the name of Thomas Williams be placed on the pen­ and Means. sion-roll-to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. RANNEY: Petition .of the owners of the brig TallyHo, ask­ By Ur. HOUK: Petition ofRobertHeiskell, forrelief-tothe Com­ ing reference of claim to the Court of Claims-to the Committee on mittee on War Claims. Claims. By Ur. HOWARD: :Memorial of John W. Beaman and B. F. Scrib­ By Mr. ROBERTSON: Petition of Wesley H. Bratchen and others, ner, for relief (accompanyi.rigHouse bill}-tothe Committee on Claims. of Kentucky, to be placed on the pen ion-roll-to the Committee on By Mr. T. D. JOHNSTON: Petition of William P. Payne, to be put Invalid Pensions. on muster-rolls of Company F, Second Tennessee Cavalry-to the Com­ By 1\Ir. ROGERS: Petition and papers of Richard Hudgins, sole heir mittee on Invalid Pell.Sions. ofB. B. and Rachael Hudgins; ofLanretta.M. Herro!,' idowof Jo iah By Mr. KETCHAM: Petition of L. G. Dodge and W. C. Fon~ vice­ Herro!; of William Brents; of Warren Drake; of J. W. Hopkins; of president and cashier of the Merchants' National Bank, Poughkeepsie, Rnth C. Wallace, widow of Vincent Wallace, decea ed; of Ethan A. N.Y., a.sking that authority be given the Secretary of the Treasury to Deuell and Edward V. Deuell, and of Phillip R. .Tones, praying that issue a duplicate bond in place of one destroyed-to th.e Committee on their several claims be referred to the Court of Claims, under act of Banking and Currency. 1riarch 3, 1883-to the Committee. on War Claims. By Mr. KING: Petition for relief by H. Filhiol, of Louisiana-to By Mr. VIELE: 1\:lemorial of the Chamber of Commerce of the State the Committee on War Claims. of New York, in behalf of Joseph Francis, the inventor of the life-sav­ By Mr. LANHAM: Memorial of .JuanS. Hart, administrator of the ing car-to the Committee on Commerce. estate of Simeon Hart, deceased, for the payment of certain lost checks By 1\fr. WHEELER: A bill to appropriate $500,000 to complete the drawn by disbursing officers of the United States-to the Committee on Muscle Shoals Canal and improve the navigation of the Tennessee Claims. River-to the Committee on Appropriations. By Mr. LIBBEY: Petitions of George H. Plant, John Leathel'S, Also, petitions of F. E. Ashford, administrator of Bolling Byrd; Mary Frank and Susan Della Terrer Charles Murphy, and Maj. William M. A. Allen, widow ofN. G. Allen; John W.l\IcGivier; Lewid F. Martin, Maynadier-to the same committee. executorofFrancisC. Martin; Nancy Phillips, widowofWilsonPhillips; Also, petitions of Ignacio Chaves and others; of owners of San Cle­ Reuben Copeland, Steven J. Matthews, and Clark M. Tompkins, pray­ mente grant, New Mexico, and of owners of Onago de San Lorenzo ing that their several claims may be referred to the Court of ClalDlS grant, New Mexico-to the Committee on Private Land Claims. under act ofl\farch 3, 1883-to the Committee on War Claims. Also, petition of Basil Moreland-to the Committee on Indian Af­ fairs. Also, petitions of George W. Morse and of Sarah E. Holroyd-to the SENATE. Committee on Patents. By Mr. LORE: Petition of Robert H. West to be placed on pension­ THURSDAY, December 10, 1885. roll-to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By 1\fr. McCREARY: Petitions of Elijah Hutchinson; of .James M. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. E. D. HUNTLEY, D. D. Crawford; of Maj. John .A.. Morrison; of .James P. Carroll; ofCulvem THOMAS M. BOWEN, a Senator from the State of Colorado, appeared Sanders; of Joseph Falconer; of George Denny, sr.; of Alderson T. in his seat to-day. Keene; of W. F. Scott; of the trustees of the Baptist church of Cra The Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read and approved._ Orchard, Ky., for relief-to the Committee on War Claims. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS. Also, paper relating to Baptist church at·Somerset, Ky.-to the same The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communica­ committee.' tion from the Secretary ofWar, transmitting, in compliance with section Also, petitions of Tabitha Ball, Samuel M. Boone, .Jacob M. Pruitt, 1665 of the Revised Statutes, a statement of the expenditures at the W. D. James; Samuel King, James J. McKinney, Francis M. Moore, Springfield Armory, and of the arms, components of arms, and append­ Sarah A. Murphy, Robert Blain,~Charlotte T. Brown, George W. Wad­ ages fabricated, altered, and repaired at that armory during the :fiscal dle, William Huffman, Thomas J. Worthington, Beaufort N. Sampson, year ended June 30, 1885; which, together with the accompanying pa- 152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. DECEMBER 10, pers, was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to PRINTING OF DOCUMENTS. be printed. Mr. MANDERSON. I desire to make a report on behalf of the He also laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary Committee on Printing. The committee instruct me to report back · of War, transmitting, in compliance with law, the correspondence in the resolution submitted by the Senator from Vermont [Mr. MORRILL] regard to the proposed purchase for Armyuses of the site and building on the 8th instant for the printing of the President's message and cer­ in New York city known as the Old Produce Exchange; also, tracings tain accompanying reports. I ask that the resolution may be read be­ of the plans for the reconstruction of the building; which was referred fore submitting a statement. to the Committee on Military Affail-s, and ordered to be printed. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The resolution will be read. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair calls attention to the fact The Chief Clerk read the resolution, as follows: that the communication of the Secretary of Warin regard to the plir­ .Resolved, That there be printed for the use of the Senate 1,000 copies of the an­ cllase of an armory building in New York city is aecompanied by large nual message of the President and the reports proper of the heads of Depart­ and, as he is informed, expensive exhibits and maps. The Chair sug­ ments, Comptro~ler of the Cu:rrency1 Director of the Mint, and Treasurer of t)le gests that the question of printing these maps be referred to the Com­ United States, not includingo.ppe_ndices. mittee on Printing also. Mr. MANDERSON. Under the requirements of the law the message Mr. EDMUNDS and others. That is right. of the President and the reports of all heads of Departments, with the The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That question will be so referred. accompanying documents, are printed, 1,000 copies for the use of the TREA.SUBY ACCOUNTS. Senate and 2,000 for the use of the other House. It is impossible, how­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a communica­ ever, that these documents and reports can be printed for the use of tion from the Treasurer of the United States, transmitting, in compli­ Congress before, perhaps, March or April. ance with section 311 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, There is also required by law to be printed an abridgment of the copies of the aecounts rendered to and settled with the First Comptroller message and documents; and under the statute it is provided that the for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885; which was read. head of each Department shall furnish to the Public Printer copies of The PRESIDENT pro tempore. These accounts, being in large folio the documents usually accompanying his annual report on or before volumes, have been filed with the Secretary of the Senate, and the Chair the 1st day of November in each year, and a copy of his annual report is advised that they are not usually published. on or before the third Monday in November in each year. Were this Mr. COCKRELL. Ought they not to be referred to the Committee statute complied with, this abridgment of the messages and documents on Printing, so that the committee may determine the propriety of would be furnished to Congress during the month of January; but it printing them? They have heretofore been occasionally published, but is not within the knowledge, I think, of any member of the Committee not regularly. on Printing that the statute has been complied with, and the message The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Does the Senator from Missouri and documents are not placed in the hands of the clerk of the Commit­ make a motion to refer? tee on Printing until some time during the month of December. There­ Mr. COCKRELL. I do. fore it is impossible that either the documents in full or the abridg­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The communication, together with ment can be printed for the use of Congress during the early part of the the accompanying papers, will be referred to the Committee on Print­ session. ing, to consider the question of printing. When a document is laid upon the table and -ordered to be printed, that carries with the motion the printing ofl, 900 copies-what is known PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS. as the "usual number." Ofthese 1,900copiesthus printed, but243 Mr. LOGAN presented a petition of ex-soldiers in the late war, of pass to the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, and 190 to the folding­ Decatur, ill., praying for an amendment to the act to " provide for the room of the Senate; so that it will be seen that of'' the usual number '' muster and pay of certain officers and enlisted men;, which was re­ the portion for the use of Senators is quite limited. ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The committee has ascertained that the cost of printing the 1,000 He also presented the petition of Amos Baccus, of Smithfield, ill., copies of the message, and of the accompanying reports of the heads of late private Company B, One hundred and :fifty-first Regiment illinois Departments, as proposed by this resolution, willcost$320, anditthere­ Volunteers, praying to be allowed a pension; -which was referred to the fore recommends the ¢option of the resolution of the Senator from V er­ Committee on Pensions. · mont. He also presented the petition of Edmund C. Bailey, of Chicago, ill., Mr. PLUMB. I wish to say to the chairman of the Committee on praying compensation for the use by the Government of his spiral cutter Printing that I think all this enforces the necessity of some general rule in the manufaeture of rifle and musket barrels; which was referred to of legislation governing this question. There is no more reason why we the Committee on Patents. should pass a resolution of this kind for the printing of a particular pub­ :Mr. J AOKSON presented the petition of Josiah M. Baird, of Ruther­ lic document, say the message of the President or the report of the head ford County, Tennessee, praying to have his claim for quartermaster's of a Department, than there is that we should be adopting special reso­ stores furnished to the United States Army 1·eferred to the Court of lutions for the printing of the accompanying documents. Claims under the Bowman act; which was referred to the Committee I therefore commend to the Printing Committee the advisability of onClaims. . an amendment of the law whereby this printing will go on in the usual Mr. PIKE. I present a joint resolution of the Legislature of New way. I am told bythe superintendent of the document-room that the Hampshire favoring the enactment of such laws as will secure exclu­ full report is not printed yet of some documents ordered to be printed sively to American citizens the public lands of the United States. It last year because of the fact that the State Department has not fur­ is a resolution similar to the one which was sent to the President pro nished the matter; and of course if it had to wait upon the passage of tempore, and which has been presented to the Senate and printed in the a special resolution it may not be printed until next year. "RECORD. I do not desire to have it read, but simply referred. I think we ought to have some rule about it to obviate the necessity The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The memorial will be referred to the of doing this, as the course we now pursue sometimes begets the fear Committee on Public Lands. that there may be some laxity or some duplication of printing which is 1JIF. McPHERSO~. I present a joint resolution of the Legislature of not necessary. • New Jersey in regard to the establishment of a penal colony in Alaska. Mr. MANDERSON. I will suggest, in response to the Senator from The PREsiDENT pro tempore. The resolution sent to the desk being Kansas, that the Committee on Printing have already this matter under a printed copy, not certified to, is of such a charaeter as is usually not consideration and hope to report proper legislation. One difficulty, read. It may lie on the table or be referred. however, which I may suggest is that many of the reports that are Mr. McPHERS~. I have a letter from the governor inclosing it. placed on the table and ordered to be printed are of such importance The PRESIDENT pro tempore. If the Senator so desires, it will be that an additional number to the usual number should be printed. I read. recognize that there are evils because of the fad that no general rnle is Mr. McPHERSON. I do. applicable to the printing of documents as of bills. One of the evils in The resolution was read, and referred to the Committee on Territori~, regard to the printing of bills is that we print of every bill that is in­ as follows: troduced 950 copies, and in many cases of private bills that is far in STATE OF NEW JERSEY. [Joint resolution.] excess of the amount required. The difficulty is to establish any gen­ Joint resolution relative to penal colonization. eral rule on the subject. That, however, is under consideration. 1. Be it resolved by the senate and general assembly of the Slate of New Jersey, That Mr. COCKRELL. Let the resolution be read. the Senators and Representatives in Congress from this State be hereby requested The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The resolution will be again re- to ask for a Congressional inquiry into the fitness of a portion of the Territory ported. · of Alaska. for the purpose of a. penal colony and the ad visa.bility of establishing such a. colony for life or long-term convicts of the General Government and of The Chief Clerk read the resolution. the several States, to the end that with equally complete sequestration of danger­ Mr. COCKRELL. That will be in addition to the usual number that ous criminals and equally effective punishment there may be better secured the will be printed afterward. improvement or reformation of the convicts, the comfort of their families, and the interest of honest labor, with which, under the present penal system, the Mr. MANDERSON. That will be in addition to the usual number labor of convicts must inevitably conflict in all parts of the country. of 1,900 copies, of which usual number the Senate obtains about 300 2. And. be it resolved., That the governor be hereby requested to transmit a. copy copies. of the foregoing resolution to each of the Senators and Representatives of this State in Congress. .M:r. COCKRELL. I hope the Committee on Printing will see that Approved February 23, 1885. the work is done promptly and sent to us. 1885. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 153

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is the adoption of the j ect of the reference is disposed of, I wish to say that this bill is the same resolution reported by the Committee on Printing. one tb:at I introduced at the last Congress, and which went to the same The resolution was agreed to. committee, and was delayed there without any report until so late a. SIOUX INDIAN LANDS IN DAKOTA. period that in the press of business the subject could not be considered Mr. MANDERSON. I report back from the CommitteeonPrinting by the Senate before the expiration of the Congress. the answer to the resolution of the Senate of March 3, 1885 of the Sec­ I hope that the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads will take retary of the Interior, giving information in regard to the bo~dary line the earliest opportunity to investigate this subject and to report upon of the reservation heretofore occupied by the Sioux Indians at the Crow the bill what .they may think it. right to do, either to reject it altogether Creek agency in Dakota. The committee finds that the regular or or to amend It, so that the subJect may be brought before the Senate at usual number of this report when printed will cost $1 482. The 1 000 an. early day for discussion and action. I wish to press it to a vote in additional copies provided for by the resolution of the Senator from this body, after reasonable discussion and examination by the commit­ Massachusetts [Mr. J?AWES] will cost, unbound, 500, and bound t.E:e. ~t. may be that I sho~d be willing myself (differing from my $662.50. The cost $500 to print the unbound copies, it dispoSition last year) to proVIde for purchasing at their actual value ~emg requir~ the plants of telegraph companies that may wish to sell them to the a concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Con!ITess0 to obtain this printing. United States-not the value of stock, watered or unwatered but the We therefore report back the resolution unfavorably, and I suggest ac~ value of the mater~ substance of the lines and implem~nts &c., to the Senator from Massachusetts the propriety of his presenting a proVIded we can find a tribunal that we have sufficient confidence in to eonculTent resolution. appraise them or agree for them at a fair rate. Mr. DAWES. I will inquire of the Senator whether the committee But, at any rate, what I wish now is to invite the committee, as I did not regard the information as of _sufficient importance to be printed. have no doubt it will gladly do, to an early consideration of and report Mr. MANDERSON. The committee has not been able to give it upon the subject. thorough attention. The committee has simply understood that this Mr. SAULSBURY. I think the remarks of the Senator from Ver­ was an important subject-matter. mont seem to convey an impression which perhaps he did not intend Mr. DAWES. .All the documents will be printed, the usual num­ in regard to the bill of which he speaks having been referred to the ber I suppose, without any resolution? Committee; on Post:Offices ru;td Post-Roads at the last Congress and there Mr. MANDERSON. Without any resolution there will be 1 900 delayed unnecessarily. I WlSh to say to the Senator that the committee copies printed. ' gave to that bill the most careful consideration and listened attentively Mr. DAWES. Of the full report? to the argument of the Senator himself and the arguments on the other Mr. MANDERSON. Of the full report. The committee report back side, and that there was no unnecessary delay. They made a report this resolution unfuvorably. at as early a day as they could arrive at a proper conclusion upon the Mr. ALLISON. It is a mere communication from the Secretary of merits of the bill referred to them. the Interior, not a public document. Mr. ED~fUN~S. I did not intend to impute the slightest reflection Mr. MANDERSON. It comes, however, under the head of" docu­ upon the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. Thesubjectcer­ ments" so far as printing is concerned. ta~! was then comparative~y n.ew, and the enormous power of the op­ position to any scheme of thiS kind demanded a right to be heard by ~1r. ALLISON. I should like the opinion of the Chair on that point I do not think it does. · counsel, .and bywitn~~' and :lll that kind of investigation that great Mr. MANDERSON. The provision is that all documents and re­ corporatiOns always illVIte, which have the effect, whether intended or ports of. or to either House of Congress shall be printed and that the not? greatl_y to delay m!l'tters before COJ?l~ttees, as I have myself ex­ usual number printed shall be 1,900. ' penenced ill the Committee on the Judic1ary and other committees. Mr. ALLISON. This communication is in answer to a resolution of But n~w, the committee at the last session having got possession of the Sena,te passed at the last session. all the hiStory and the broad facts concerning the matter, I think will Mr. MANDERSON. Yes, sir. find that they need not go over all the ground again in detail and spend Mr. ALLISON. This is not a. regular report. a. large part of the session in hearing the arguments of counsel and the Mr. EDMUNDS. We can make an order to print it. t~timony of witnesses upon a subject that they are already in posses­ Mr. ALLISON. But we have not made that order. sion o_f all. the facts. about. So I should hope, while I impute no im­ propnety ill the action. of th~ committee last year, that we may get a Mr: UANDERSON. If th~ communication of the Secretary of the very ea~l:f re:port at this s~on, so that the question may be brought Intenor goes to the table and lS ordered to be printed 1 900 copies the usual number, are printed under the rule. ' ' ' to a. deClSIVe Judgment of this body by discussion and a vote. Mr. DAWES. As at present advised, I think I shall not move the The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The bill is referred to the Commit- printing of an extra number. tee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. . Mr. ALLISON. I desire the Chair to state whether this document Mr. CONGER introduced a bill (S. 338) to provide for the purchase sent to ~s byth~ Secre~ry of the Interior, with the accompanying pa­ of the two canals known as the Portage Lake and River Improvement pers, will be prmted Without an order. Company Canal and the Lake Superior Ship-Canal Railway and Iron The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The motion to print the usual num­ Company Canal, being the water communication aeross Keweenaw be~ was referred to the Committee on Printing. The Chair does not Point, Lake Superior, by way of Portage River and Lake in the State qmte understand the report of the Committee on Printing. of M~chigan; which was read twice by its title, and, with the aecom­ 1\Ir. MANDERSON. The committee report adversely to the motion panymg papers, referred to the Committee on Commerce. to print 1,000 additional copies. ~e also introduced a bill (S. 339) to enable the Light-House Board The PRESIDENT pro tempore. But the motion to print the usual to mcrease the number of the light-house districts on the Western riv­ number was also referred to the Committee on Printing. ers, and making an appropriation therefor; which was read twice by Mr. MANDERSON. The committee did not so understand. its title, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair is advised that that was He also introduced a bill (S. 340) to authorize the creation of an ad­ the order. ditional light-house district; which was read twice by its title andre- Mr. _DA~. There was no motion made to print 1,000 extra copies. ferred to the Committee on Commerce. ' A ?lobon to prmt w~ made and referred, it being supposed that the com­ ~e. also introdll:ced a. bill (S. 341) to provi.de for the erection of a mittee themselves m1ght pass upon the question whether extra copies buildin~ for t~e L~ght-House Board at Washington, D. C.; which was were ?ecessn.ry or not. If the usual number of all the documents is to read twice by Its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Build­ be pnnted, ~o far as I am concerned, I think that is all I shall ask. ings and Grounds. The P,RE:::;IDENT pro tempore. The Chair understands then that He also introduced a bill (S. 342) granting a pension to Marrilla Par­ the Committee on Printing report in favor of printing the usual num­ sons, of De~oit, Mich. ; which was read twice by its title, and, with the ber. accompanymg papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. MANDERSON. Yes, sir; but adveroely on printing the extra Mr.. CAMERON in~~oduced a bill (S .. 3~3) to remove the charge of thousand. desertion from the military record of Wilham H. McBride· which was _The PRESIDENT pro tempore. If there be no objection the report read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee ~n Military mil be agreed to. ' Affairs. Mr. DAWES. That means with the accompanying papers? He also introduced a bill (S. 344) for the relief of Edward H. Leib· The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That includes the accompanying which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee o~ papers. Military Affairs. Bll..LS INTRODUCED. He also introduced~ bill (S. 345) for the relief of Assistant Engineer ~oward D. Potts, Umted States Navy; which was read twice by its . Mr. EDMUNDS introduced .a bill (S. 337) to provide for the estab­ title, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. lishment of a postal telegraphic system· which was read twice by its Mr. PIKE introduced a bill (S. 346) to amend an aet entitled ''An title. ' ~ct to in?OrJ?Orate the Na~ional Safe Deposit Company of Washington, ~he PRESIDENT pro tempore. The bill will be referred to the Com­ m the ~tnct ?f C?lumbm, '' approved January 22, 1867 ; which was mittee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. read tWice by Its title, and referred to the Committee on the District Mr. EDMUNDS. That is the correct reference; but before the sub- of Columbia. 154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. DECEMBER 10,

Mr. PLATT introduced a bill (S. 347) to relieve commercial trav- The bill (S. 371) limiting aportionofanactentitled "An act making elers from license taxes; which was read twice by its title, and referred appropriations for the naval service for the :fiscal yeaT ending June 30, to the Committee on Commerce. 1883, and for other purposes," was read twice by its title, and referred He also introduced a bill (S. 348) for the relief of :Mrs. E. A. Benham, to the Committee on Naval Affairs. widow of Bvt. ~raj. Gen. Henry W. Benham, deceased; which was Mr. GEORGE introduced a bill (S. 372) to establish agricultural ex- read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Pensions. periment stations in connection with the colleges established in the seY- Mr. VANCE introduced a bill (S. 349) for the promotion of anatom- era! States under the provisions of an act approYed July 2, 1862, and ical science, and to prevent the desecration of graves; which was read of acts supplementary thereto; which was read twice by its title, and twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the District of referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Columbia.. l'U.r. INGALLS introduced a bill (S. 373) to establish a municipal Mr. WILSON, of Maryland, introduced a bill (S. 350) for the relief code for the District of Columbia; which was read twice by its title. of Edmund Wolf; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Mr. INGALLS. A.s the bill is very voluminous, I ask that it may be Committee on Claims. referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia without printing, 1\Ir. COKE introduced a bill (S. 351) to grant a right of way to the and should it be necessary-to print it I will take that order hereafter. Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Company through the Indian Mr. HARRIS. I should like to ask the Senator from Kansas if he Territory, and for other purposes; which was read twice by its title. knows whether there are quite a number of copies of the bill that he Mr. COKE. This bill was before the Committee on Railroads at the has just introduced now in print? last session and was favorably reported by that committee. In my Mr. INGALLS. Enough foT the use of the committee. judgment it should go back to it, but as the Senate has ruled on simi- The PRESIDENT pro temp01·e. If there is no objection, the bill will lar bills that they shQOld go before the Committee on Indian Affairs, I be referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. without an move the reference ~~ bill to the Committee on Indian Affairs. order to print. The motion was agreed to. ~fr. INGALLS introduced a bill (S. 374) relating to police regula- Mr. HARRIS introduced a bill (S. 352} for the relief of 1'tfrs. E. G. C. tions in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; which was Abbott; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Commit- read twice by its title, and referred to the Committe on the District of tee on Claims. Columbia. He also {by request) introduced a bill (S. 353) for the relief of J. D. He also introduced a bill (S. 375) to refer the claims of the Eastern lllouison, surviving partner of C. 1'ti. and J.D. Morrison; which was and Western Bands of Cherokee Indians to the Court of Claims; which read-twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Finance. was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the Judi- Mr. WILSON, of Iowa, introduced a bill (S. 354) to provide for pro- ciary. tecting the interests of the United States in respect of any incumbrances He also introduced a bill (S. 376) granting a pension to L. V. Holly­ on property wherein ithasaninterest; which was read twice by its title, field; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. He also introduced a bill (S. 355) to promote peace amongst nations, He also introduced a bill (S. 377) granting a pension to Matthias for the creation of a tribunal for international arbitration, and for other Leckner; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Commit­ purposes; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Com- tee on Pensions. mittee on Foreign Relations. · He also introduced a bill (S. 378) granting a pension to Jacob Beck; He also introduced a bill (S. 356) granting a pension to Samuel Han- · which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on son; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee Pensions. · on Pensions. He also i.Iitroduced a bill (S. 379) for the relief of David Cornpropst; ~fr. BLAIR introduced a bill (S. 357) granting arrears of pension to which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Nancy B. Leach; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Pensions. Committe-e on Pensions. Mr. LOGAN (by request) introduced a bill (S. 380) for the relief of Mr. MITCHELL introduced a bill (S. 358) granting an increase of Mrs. Henrietta H. Cole; which was read twice by its title, and, with pension to Mrs. Emily M. Wyman; which was read twice by its title, the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Patents. and referred to the Committee on Pensions. He also introduced a bill (S. 381) for the relief of the trustees of the He also introduced a bill (S. 359) granting a pension to Margaret A. Christian Brothers' College of Saint Louis, Mo. ; which was read twice Blake; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee by its title, and, with theaccompanyingpapers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. on Claims. 1'tfr. HARRISON introduced a bill (S. 360) for the relief of John W. 1\fr. JONES, of Arkansas, introduced a bill (S. 382) to authorize the Beaman and B. F. Scribner; which was read twice by its title, and, Merchants' National Bank of Little Rock, Ark., to change its name to with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Claims. the First National Bank of Little Rock; which was read twice by its He also introduced a bill (S. 361) granting a pension to John L. Will- title, and referred to the Committee on Finance. hoite; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying He also introduced a bill (S. 383) for the relief of John P. Walworth; papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on He also introduced a bill (S. 362) granting a pension to James H. Claims. King; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying He also (by request) introduced a bill (S. 384) for the relief of John papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. R. Treutlen; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompany- He also introduced a bill (S. 363) granting a pension to Edward ing papers, referred to the Committee on Claims. Ayers; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying 1'tfr. PLUMB introduced a bill (S. 385) concerning the issuance of papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. arms to the State militia; which was read twice by it8 title, andre- He also introduced a bill (S. 364) granting a pension to Nancy Bat- ferred to the Committee on ~Iilitary Affairs. torff; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying He also introduced a bill (S. 386) to make an additional Article of papers, referred to the Committee .on Pensions. War; which was read twica by its title, and referred to the Committee He also introduced a bill (S. 365) for the relief of Martin L. Bundy; on Military Affairs. • which was read twice by its title, and Teferred to the Committee on He also introduced a bill (S. 387) to define the status and for the re- Militar_y Affairs. lief of the heirs OT legal representatives of certain recruits for the Four- Mr. ~n:LLER, of New Yorlr, introduced a bill (S. 366) for the relief teenth Kansas CavaJ.ryVolunteerswho were killed at Lawrence, Kans., of William W. Webb; which was read twice by its title, and referred .August 21, 1863, by guerrillas· which was read twice by its title, and to the Committee on Military Affairs. referred to the Committee on 1\!ilitary Affairs. Mr. DAWES introduced a bill (S. 367) authorizing the President of He also introduced a bill (S. 388) to grant the right of way through the United States to appoint Lieut. William P. Randall a lieutenant- the Fort Blic;s military reservation to the Rio Grande and El Paso commander on the retired-list of the Navy; which was read twice by Railroad Company; which was read twice by its title, and referred to its title, and, with the accompanying papers, referred to the Commit- the Committee on Military Affairs. tee on Naval Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 3 9) for the relief of the heirs or legal Mr. HOAR introduced a bill (S. 368) for the relief of Susan E. Al- representatives of Robert J. Bauguess; which was read twice by its title, ger; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompanying and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. . He also in~oduc~da ~ill (S. 390) for the relief of H.~ Myers; :':hich Mr. GORMAN introduced a bill (S. 369) for the payment of certam was read twice by 1ts title, and referred to the Comnnttee on Military coupons of certain Indian-war bonds of the State of California; which Affairs. was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Military Healsointroducedabill (S. 391) forthereliefof A. A. Thomas; which Affairs. was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Mr. JACKSON (by request) introduced a bill (S. 370) for the relief Lands. . of Payne, James & Co. ; which was read twice by its title, and, with He also introduced a bill (S. 392) for the relief of Edward Fenlon; the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Claims. which was re.:'ld twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Mr. COCKRELL. By request of a reputable attorney of this city I Claim . desire to introduce a bill. He also introduced a bill (S. 393) to open to homestead settlement 1885. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SEN ATE. 155 certain portions of the Indian Territory, and for other purposes; which He also introduced a bill (S. 405) for the relief of Anthony L. Wood· was read twice by its title. son; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The bill will be referred to the Com­ on Claims. mittee on Indian .Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 406) for the relie( of Miles Kelly; which 1\Ir. PLUJ\Ill. Before the bill is referred, permit me to say that it was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. is a literal copy of one introduced by me in the last Congress. He also introduced a bill (S. 407) for the relief of John W. Rowlett; In the closing hours of the last session of the last Congress the Pres­ which was read twice by its title, and referred to the -Committee on ident was authorized-and by the use of the word '• authorized" I Claims. think it was intended tha.t he should be required-to open negotiations He also introduced a bill (S. 408) for the relief of A. C. Meadows; with the Indians for the purpose of securing from them a cession of. which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on whatever inte1·est they might ha.>e in these lands in order that the Claims. lands might be opened to homestead settlement. It was the expecta­ He also introduced a bill (S. 409) for the relief of Thomas J. Whit­ tion that that would be done during the last summer, and that the re­ man; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee sult of the negotiation wonld be reported to Congress at this session. on Claims. I am informed by good authority that no steps at all have been taken He also introduced a bill (S. 410) for the relief of J. A. Hodges; in that respect. which was read twice by its title. and referred to the Committee on I do not offer this bill with any preference for its particular terms. Claims. I present it in order tha.t the subject itself may be taken up by the He also introduced a bill (S. 411) for the relief of A. C. P. Shoe­ Committee on Indian Affairs, if they will consider it of sufficient im­ maker; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Commit­ port:mce to have it engage their time, so that some settlement of this tee on Claims. very important question may be arrived at. He also introduced a bill (S. 412) for the relief of the legal represent­ I say now, as I have heretofore said on this floor, that if the question atives of Francois Fournier; which was read twice by its title, and is not settled by Congress it will in some way settle itself, and I fear referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. not in a manner creditable to the Government or to the people. In He also introduced a bill (S. 413) giving a military record to Alex­ view of the occurrences which are now taking place in that country by ander Francesco, deceased; which was read twice byits.title, and, with the removal of men who are there in the belief that they have a right the accompanying paper~ referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. ~ be there, and similar occurrences w hieh will take plaee hereafter no He also introduced a bill (S. 414) for the relief of Mrs. Fanny S. doubt, and some of them I am afraid accompanied by a more or less Conway, of Louisville, Ky.; which was read twice by its title, and tragical conclusion, I think this subject ought to receive the early and referred to the Committee on Naval A.ffa.irs. favorable consideration of the Committee on Indian Affairs and of Con­ He also introduced a bill (S. 415) for the relief of 1\1. B. Pilkinton, gress. executrix of Edward T. Pilkinton, deceased, for internal-revenue The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The bill will be referred to the Com­ stamps lost on tobacco burned in his factory; which was read twice mittee on Indian Affairs. by its title, and referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. VAN WYCK introduced a bill (S. 394) to establish an addi­ He also introduced a bill (S. 416) for the relief of J. 1\1. Lobban; tionalland district in the State of Nebraska; which was read twice by which was read twiee by its title, and, with the accompanying papers, its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. referred to the Committee on Finance. 1\Ir. GIBSON introduced .a bill (S. 395) to admit free of duty a cer­ Heal o introduced a bill (S. 417) for the relief of Weissinger & Bate, tain set of altars for the Catholic church of St. John the Evangelist in Edward Holbrook, and others; which was read twice by its title, and the parish of La Fayette, Louisiana; which was read twice by its title referred to the Committee on Finance. and referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. PLUMB (by request) introduced a bill (S. 418) for the relief of l\1r. GIBSON. A short memorial or petition accompanies the bill, the Western Miami. Indians; which was read twice by its title, andre­ which I ask the con.Sent of the Senate to have printed and referred to ferred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. the Finance Committee. Mr. GIB 0~ introduced a bill (S. 419) authorizing the Secretary of The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from. Loui.sia.na. asks War to transfer the United States barracks at Baton Rouge, La., to the the unanimouS consent of the Senate to have printed a memorial ac­ Loui.siana. t..'l.te University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, companying the bilL Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and n.t said place, for educational purposes; which was read twice by its it is o ordered. The paper will be referred to the Committee on Fi­ title, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. nance, to accompany the bill. ?tir. CALL introduced a bill (S. 420) to amend the law relating to the Mr. GIBSON introduced a bill (S. 396) fo1· the relief of Mrs. Mary bonds of executors in the District of Columbia; which was read twice by Shannon, administratrix of the estate of Joseph R. Shannon, deceased, its title, and referred to the Committee on the District of-Columbia. and to provide for the payment of the los of the steamboat A. W. Mr. CALL subsequently said: I introduced a bill this morning (S. Quarrier; which was read twice by its title, and referied to the Com­ 420) to amend the laws inrelation to bonds of ex.ecutorsin the District mittee on Claims. of Columbia, and it was referred to the Committee on the District of 1\fr. GIBSON. There is also a memorial accompanying that bill Columbia. I ask to change that reference and refer it to the Committee which I shoUld like to have printed, with the consent of the Senate. on the Judiciary, by which it has been twice reported and on which The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Louisiana asks committee's report it has once p, ed the enate. unanimous consent to have printed the memorial accompanying the bill The PRESIDENT pro tempor:e. That change of reference will be just introduced. ... made. The bill will be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 1\Ir. ALLISON. In the RECORD? 1\Ir. BLACKBURN introduced a bill (S. 421) granting a pension to 1\Ir. GIBSON. No, sir. Isa.bella Bullock; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Not in the RECORD, but as a docu­ Committee on Pensions. ment. If there is no objection, the paper will be printed and referred He also introduced a bill (S. 422) granting a pension to Eliza Fran­ to the Committee on Claims. cesco; which was read.twice by its title, and I;eferred to the Commit­ 1\Ir. BECK introduced a bill(S. 397) fm: the relief" of Archibald White; tee on Pensions. which was. read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on He also introduced a bill (S. 423) granting a pension to Elizabeth Claims. Daniel; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Commit­ He also introduced a bill (S. 398) for the relief of Wilson Ryan; which tee on Pensions. was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. He also introduced a bill (S. 424) giving a military record to Alex­ He also introduced a bill (S. 399) for the relief of J. D. Butler; which ander Francesco, deceased; which was read twice by its title, andre­ was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 400) fbi the relief of Robert Langston; He also introduced a bill (S. 425) giving a military record to James whleb. was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on King; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee Claims. on Military Affairs. He also introduCed a bill (S. 401) for the relief of Julia A. Read; He also introduced a bill (S. 426) giving a military record to Thomas which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on 1\1iller; which was read twice by its title, and referred t-o the Committee­ Claims. on Military Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 402) for the relief of George Denny, sr.; lli. DOLPH introduced a bill (S. 427) for the repeal of an act enti­ which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on tled "An act to provide for the settlement of the claims of officers and Claims. enlisted men of the .A.Im.y for loss of property destroyed in the military He also introduced a bill (S. 403) for the relief of Alfred Ray and service of the United States;" which was read twice by its title. John W. Ray, ex.ecutors of the estate of Enos Ray, deceased; which was 1\fr. DOLPH. I ask that the bill may lie on the table until after the rea~ twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. morning business is concluded, when, if it shall be the pleasure of the He also introduced a bill (S. 404) for the relief of Amelia B. Cald­ Senate, I desire to make a brief statement in regard to it, and then have well, administratrix. of John H. Caldwell, deceased; which was read it referred. twice by its title, and, with the accompanying papers, referred to the The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The bill will lie on the table to await Committee on Claims. the pleasure of the Senate, if there be no objection. 156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. DECEMBER 10,

Mr. MORGAN introduced a bill (S. 428) to provide for the appoint­ which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the ment and compensation of a district judge for the southern district of Library. Alabama; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Com­ He also introduced a bill (S. 451) for the improvement of certain chan­ mittee on the Judiciary. nels, rivers, and harbors in the State of Florida; which was read twice • Mr. VOORHEES introduced a bill (S. 429) to repeal the statute of by its title, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. limitations on the allowance of pension arrears and to regulate proof He also introduced a bill (S. 452) for continuing work on improve­ in pension cases; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the ment of the harbor of Tampa, Fla.; which wa.s read twice by its title, Committee on Pensions. and referred to the Committee on Commerce. I He also introduced a bill (S. 430) to change the limit of appropria­ He also introduced a bill (S. 453) for the erection of a public building tion for the public building at Terre H aute, Ind.; which was read twice at Jacksonville, Fla. ; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Grounds. He also introduced a bill (S. 454) for the donation of the public land I Mr. CALL introduced a bill (S. 431) providing for a resurveyoftown­ known as the Fort Brooke military reservation, in Florida, to the town ship 12 south, of range 27 east, in Putnam County, Florida; which wa.s of Tampa, in Florida; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. to the Committee on Public Lands. 1 He also introduced a bill (S. 432) donating certain lots to the city He also introduced a bill (S. 455) granting pensions to certain sol­ of Saint .Augustine, Fla., for public schools, parks, and a public library; diers and sailors of the Mexican and otherwars therein named, and for which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on other purposes; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Public Lands. Committee on Pensions. t He also introduced a bill (S. 433) to provide for the payment to the He also introduced a bill (S. 456) providing for a resurvey of town­ legal representatives of .A.rvah Hopkins of the rent of certain property ship 12 south, ef range 27 east, in Putnam County, Florida; which in Tallahassee, Fla., for the use of the Army ; which wa.s read twice by was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public its title, and referred to the Committee on Claim.s. Lands. 1 He also introduced a bill (S. 434) for the relief of the heirs and dis­ He also introduced a bill (S. 457) for the repair of Fort Marion, at tributees of the estate of Silvia Wilford, of Duval County, Florida; Saint Augustine, Fla., and the inclosure of the grounds attached to said which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on fort; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee Revolutionary Claims. on Milltary Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 435) granting land-warrants to soldiers He also introduced a bill (S. 458) to prevent the sale of adulterated and sailors in the United States service in the Seminole Indian war of food in the District of Columbia; which was read twice by its title, and 1856, their widows and orphans; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. referred to the Committee on Public Lands. He also introduced a bill (S. 459) authorizing the Secre.tary of the He also introduced a bill (S. 436) for the relief of persons whose prop­ Treasury to overrule and reverse the decisions of all inferior officers of erty ha.s been confiscated under the act ofCongress entitled ''.An act to the Treasury Department in respect to all matters of account; which suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confis­ was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Finance. cate the property ofrebels, and for other purposes," approvedJuly17, He also introduced a bill (S. 460) granting bounty land to Laura 1862; which wa.sread twice by its title, and referred to the Committee Prine; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. on Public Lands. He also introduced a bill (S. 437) for the relief of the legal represent He also introduced a bill (S. 461) to change the time of holding·u nited ativesofMaj. Matthew Smith; which was read twice by its title, andre­ ~tates circuit and district courts in the southern district of the State of ferred to the Committee on Claims. Florida; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee ·He also introduced a bill (S. 438) for the relief of James Filor, on the Judiciary. William Curry, and William Pinckney; which wa.s read twice by its He also introduced a bill (S. 462) to remove the political disabilities title, and referred to the Committee on Claims. of H. Myers, of Florida; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred He also introduced a bill (S. 439) to disqualify justices of the Su­ to the Committee on the Judiciary. . preme Court from sitting in the trial of causes which have been previ­ He also introduced a bill (S. 463) amending section 4414 of the Re­ ously heard before them in their circuits or otherwise; which wa.s read vised Statutes, fixing the compensation of inspectors of hulls and boilers twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. in the several districts of the United States; which was read twice by He also introduced a bill (S. 440) confirming titles to certain lands its title, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. . in the State of Florida; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred He also introduced a bill (S. 464) to amend article 103 of the Rules to the Committee on Public Lands. and Articles ofWar; which wa.sread twice by its title, and referred to He also introduced a bill (S. 441) for continuing the work on the the Committee on Military Affairs. channel between Cumberland and .Amelia Islands, Florida, and the en­ He also introduced a bill (S. 465) for continuing ·the improvement of trance to Fernandina, Fla., and Saint Mary's, Ga.; which wa.s read the harbor at Tampa, Fla.; which was read twice by its title, and re­ twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. ferred to the Committee on Commerce. He also introduced a bill (S. 442) for the improvement of the Suwan­ He also introduced a bill (S. 466) to regulate the subletting of con­ nee River, Florida; which was read twice by its title, and referred to tracts for carrying the United States mails; which wa.s read twice by the Committee on Commerce. · its title, and referred to the Committfie on Post-Offices and Post-Roads. He also introduced a bill (S. 443) to improve the entrance and chan­ He also introduced a bill (S. 467) providing for the auditing and pay­ nels of Pensacola Harbor, Florida, including both the outer and inner ment of claims of soldiers who served in the several Indian wars in bars; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee Florida; which was read twice by its title, ~nd referred to the Com­ on Commerce. mittee on Pensions. He also introduced a bill (S. 444) providing for the establishment of He also introduced a bill (S. 468) for the purchase of the Mallory lot o.land office at Bartow, Polk County, Florida; which wa.s read twice in Key West, Fla., for naval purposes; which wa.s read twice by its by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. title, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. He also introduced a bill (S. 445) to repeal all laws and parts of laws He also introduced a bill (S. 469) for extension of pension of :Mrs. prohibiting pensions to wounded soldiers of the United States without Ann Leddy; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the proof of loyalty; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on Pensions. Committee on Pensions. He also introduced a bill (S. 470) for a survey and estimate for a rail­ He also introduced a bill (S. 446) to amend section 4400 of the Re­ road from the mainland to Key West, Fla., and for a canal connecting vised Statutes so that vessels under five tons' burden, and used for pri­ the same with the Saint John's River, for military and naval pur­ vate purposes and not carrying passengers for hire, shall not be subject poses; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee to license; which wa.s read twice by its title, and referred to the Com- on Military .Affairs. mittee on Commerce. . · Mr. CALL introduced a joint resolution (S. R. 9) for the relief of He also introduced a bill (S. 447) granting a pension to Jnlia .A.. Ross; Caroline M. Seton and Mary Jeannette Sibbald ; heirs at law of Charles which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Committee on F. Sibbald, deceased; which was read twice by its title, and referred to Pensions. the Committee on P~vate Land Claims. He also introduced a bill (S. 448) to investigate the issue of fraudu­ lentland-warrantsand toprotectsoldiersandsailorsofthe United States PROPOSED .ADJOURNMENT TO MO:NDAY. from loss therefrom; which was read twice by it.~ title, and referred to Mr. ALLISON. I move that when the Senate adjourn to-day it be the Committee on Public Lands. to meet on Monday next. He also introduced a bill (S. 449) to reimburse the depositors of the Mr. BECK. I ask the Senator from Iowa to withhold that motion Freedman's Savings and Trust Company for losses incurred by the fail­ for the present. I understand that a communication will come from ure of said company; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the President to-day, and it may be followed by another to-morrow. -the Committee on Finance. H the Senator will postpone his motion for n. little while he can rP.new He also introduced a bill (S. 450) to establish a bureau of the fine arts; it at any time. 1885. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 157

M:r. ALLISON. I withdraw the motion. The ChiefClerk read the joint resolntiqn, as follows: The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The motion is withdrawn. Eesol11ed, &c., That the existing vacancies in the Board of Regents of the Smith· sonian Institution of the class ''other than members of Congress" shall be filled P .APERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED. by the reappointment of John Maclean of New Jersey; Asa Gray, of Massa• chnsetts; Henry Coppee, of Pennsylvama1 ; and the appointment of Montgom­ On motion of Mr. JACKSON, it was ery C. Meigs, of the city of Washington, vice William T. Sherman, whose term has expired and who is no longer a. citizen of Washington. Ordered, That the petition and accompanYing papers in the case of Payne, James & Co. be taken from the files and referred to the Commitree on Claims. 1tfr. INGALLS. Has the joint resolution been reported by any com­ On motion of Mr. BECK, it was mittee? 01·dered, That the papers now on file in the office of the Secretary of the Sen­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore. It has not been reported. ate be withdrawn, subject to the rules, and referred to the appropriate commit- Mr. INGALLS. It appears to me that in a matter of this conse­ tees in the following-named cases: · quence weoughtnottobecalled upon to acton the joint resolution with­ Bills: For the relief of James Trabue and others. out having the opinion of some committee on the subject. I shall hear For the relief of .Anthony L. Woodson. with interest what the Senator from Vermont has to say upon the sub· For the relief of Miles Kelly. ject, but I am verv clear that we should have the opinion of a com· For the relief of John W. Rowlett. For the relief of A. C. Meadows. mittee. For the relief of Thomas J. Whitman. Mr. MORRILL. In the first place, I will say that I am not aware For the relief of J. A. Hodges. of any appropriate committee to which this measure could be referred; For the relief of Alexander Francesco. For the relief of A. C. P. Shoemaker. and, in the next place, the joint resolution merely provides for the re­ For the relief of Archibald White. appointment of three distinguished citizens, of different States, who For the relief of .James M. Lobban. have already served their term, which has expired, and the other nomi· For the relief of Wilson Ryan. For the relief of J. D. Entler. nation made is that of General Meigs, to supply the plaee of General For the relief of Robert Langston. Sherman, who is no longer eligible in consequence of having removed For the relief of Mrs. Fannie S. Conway. from the city of Washington, and the original law requires two to be For the relief of Weissinger & Bate and others. For the relief of Julia A. Reed. residents of the city of Washington. For the relief of George Denny, sr. I may say that I was unfortunate in not conversing with the Sena­ For the relief of representatives of Francois Fournier. tor from Kansas, but I conversed with quite a number of other Sena. For the relief of the executrix of M. B. Pilkington. For the relief of the execu~rs of Enos Ray. tors, who agreed that the presentation of the name of General Meigs For the relief of the administratrix of John H. Caldwell. was an eminently proper one to be made. For the relief of Harry I. Todd. For the relief of Warren Mitchell. Mr. VOORHEES. May I inquire whether there is any.new name For the relief of Mrs. Lizzie D. Clarke. suggested in that list with the exception of that of General Meigs? For the relief of Madison Female lnstiture. Mr. MORRILL. That is the only one. For the relief of Mrs. S. S. Farrell. For the relief of Russellville A. and M. Association: 1\Ir. VOORHEES. So I understood. For the relief of sufferers at Manchester Salt Works. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is the Chair to understand the Senator from Kansas as moving to refer the joint resolution to a com­ On motion of Mr. HARRIS, it was mittee? If not, the joint resolution is before the Senate as in Com­ Ordered, That the petition and papers of E. G. C. Abbott be tn.ken from the files mittee of the Whole. and referred to the Committee on Claims. Mr. MAXEY. .AP, a member of the Board of Regents I wish to On motion of Mr. PLATT, it was say, in reply to the suggestion of the Senator from Kansa8, that the Ordered, That the papers relating to the bill for the relief of Mrs. E. A. Beuham, character of General Meigs is too well known to require the report of widow of Bvt Maj. Gen. H. W. Benham, be taken from the Secretary's office and referred to the Committee on Pensions, no adverse report on the bill having any committee of this body ; and the reason which actuated me in been made. sustaining the position taken by the Senator from Vermont, who is On motion of Mr. PLUMB, it was also a member of the Board of Regents, was that there is to be some Ordered, That the petition and accompanying papers in the claim of the West­ very valuable improvement soon made in the Smithsonian building ern Miami Indians be taken from the files and referred to the Committee on In­ and General Meigs is an architect of distinguished reputation, and his dian .Affairs. appointment as a member of the Board of Regents, he living here in On motion of Mr. HOAR, it was Washington, would be eminently proper. I think he ought to go on Ordered, That the papers now on the files of the Senate relating to the bill that board. His well-known character we thought was ample to justify making appropriation for the relief of the First National Bank of Newton, Ma.~ .• the appointment without a reference to a committee. be withdl·awn and referred to the Commitree on Claims. The joint resolution was reported to the Senate without amendment. PRINTING OF BILLS. :Mr. MORGAN. I hope that the resolution will pass, although I • Mr. DAWES. I ask for the adoption of the following resolution: consider that it is a little hasty for us to act, as the Senator from Kansas Resowed, That there be printed 1,000 extra copies each of Senate bills Nos. 52 has suggested, without the advice of any committee; but I do not wish and 54. it to be understood that I vote for it on the ground stated by the Sena­ They are bills w]p.ch I introduced day before yesterday, and which it tor from Texas, that of General Meigs's architectural capacity or ability, would be very desirable to have distributed and understood pretty thor­ for if we take the new Pension Office here as a sample of it and we oughly among the people whom they affect. undertake in advance to refer that to the judgment and taste of the The resolution was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to. people of the United States, we shall make a very wide mistake. I shall vote for General Meigs because I think he is a scientist, not be­ OBSEQUIES OF GENERAL GRANT. cause I think he is an architect. Mr. MORRILL submitted the following resolution; which was con­ The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, sidered by unanimous consent, and agreed to: read the third time, and passed. Resolved, That the Secretary of th~enate be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to pay out of the appropriat-ion for miscellaneous items of the contingent LOSS OF PROPERTY BY OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS. fund of the Senate the actual and necessary expenses of the Senate committee The PRESIDENT pro tempore. If there be no further morning bus­ appointed to at.tend the funeral obsequies of General U.S. Grant, late President of the United States, on voucher or vouchers properly allowed by the Commit­ iness, the bill introduced by the Senator from Oregon [Mr. DoLPH] will tee t6. Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate. be laid before the Senate. REPORT ON EUROPEAN SEACOAST FORTIFICATIONS. The CHIEF CLERK. A bill (S. 427) for the repeal of an act entitled "An act to provide for the settlement of the claims of officers and en­ Mr. DOLPH submitted the following resolution; which was consid­ listed men of the Army for loss of property destroyed in the military ered by unanimous consent, and agreed to: service of t.he United States." Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and hereby is, directed to communi­ Mr. DOLPH. Mr. President, agreeably to notice, I ask the indul­ cate to the Senate a copy of the report of Capt.W. H..Bi:x:by, of the United_Stat-es Engineer Corps, on the seacoast fortifications in Europe in 1881-'82. gence of the Senate while I make a brief statement in regard to this bill. Sl\IITHSONIAN INSTITUTIO:N REGENTS. During the last days of the second session of the Forty-eighth Con­ Mr. MORRILL. If it be now in order, I call up the joint resolution gress, at a time when the Senate wa~n a mood to accommodate individ­ in relation to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. ual Senators who desired to have bills taken up out of their order in By unanimous consent, the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, w hlch they were particularly interested, the Senator from Missouri who proceeded to <--onsider the joint resolution (S. R. 1) :filling existing va­ sits nearest the desk [Mr. CoCKRELL] asked to have taken up a bill to cancies in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. provide for the settlement of the claims of officers and enlisted men of :Mr. MORRILL. I will merely state that this joint resolution is for the Army for loss of private property destroyed in the military service the reappointment of three of the present Regents, and to supply the of the United States. I had never examined the bill, but upon the vacancy in consequence of the removal of General Sherman from the reading of it was unable to give it my assent. I endeavored then to city, in whose place the name inserted is that of ~neral Meigs. call the attention of Senators to what I considered to be the extraor­ Mr. INGALLS. Let us hear the joint resolution read at length. dinary provisions of the bill ; but as I appeared to stand alone and the Mr. HARRIS. Let it be read. occasion was not a suitable one for an extended discussion of the merits The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The joint resolution will be read. of the bill, I contented myself with voting against it. I ask the Sec- 158 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. D ECEMBER 10,

retary now to read what I have marked in the discussion of the bill This act p~oposes to compensate officers and enlisted men for per onal prop­ erty lost while they are on duty in the military service of the United States in itself, as it appears in the RECORD. time of peace. While making an indefinite continuing appropriation for the The Chief Clerk read as follows : parroent of the claims, it establishes no limit to the amount of property to be 1\Ir. DoLPH. Before I vote on the bill, as I have not had time to examine it I paid for, except what tne Secretary of War "shnll decide to be reasonable use­ IBh?uld ~e to know something ~ore about it. . I inquire of the Sena.t{)r frok ful, nece~sary, ~nd proper [or the officer or soldier while in quarters, engag~d in Mi soun if I understand the proVISIOn of the bill to be that in all cases where the p~bhc seryiCe, rn !h«: lin.e of duty." ~t extends to all claims of the character property of officers or enlisted men in the service of the United States is acci­ mentioned, without hn;utallon of t!ffie, if presented within two y rs from its ~entally d~stroyed, as in the case of an accidental fire, while they are in serv­ passa~e; .an~ also applies to all cla1ms hereaft.er arising, provided they are pre­ I.ce, the cla1m may be presented t{) the War Department, allowed, and paid? sen tea. wtthin two years from the date ofloss. :Mr. COCKRELL. Let the. amendm~nt be read as proposed and the bill with The Government ~bus becomes the insurer of all the personal property of enliste~ it, an~ then .the. Senator will get the Idea. As I stated, there is no new principle every offi?Cr and man in the Army while in the line of duty in time of peace tn th~ . It IS srmply to take out of Congress a large number of cases that are which may be decided by the SecretaryofWarto be "reasonable useful pendmg here every year and that always pa s when reached. It establishes no necessary, and prope~ . " Eighty claims have already been received at the Wa; 11ew principle of liability at all, and the Senator will discover exactly what it is Departm.ent._ amounti.~g to about $60,000, and the cope of the act i'l indicated by U be listens to ita being read as proposed to be amended. an examma~10n. of theu character. One, amounting to 2,311.50, is the claim of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The whole bill? . an officer high m rank for apparently the entire content of his residence de­ l\lr. CoCKRELL. The part in regard to liability. stroyed by t~e great conflagration in Chicago in IBn. An assistant surgeon 1\Ir. DoLPH. I thought I caught the reading ofthe bill. !should like the Sen­ n;akes. a claim for propertr burne~ at Fort Keogh, Mont., in 187 , staled at m ator from Miss~uri to inform me if it is l>roposed by this bill, which is certainly $5,~ va~ue, one t,t,em bemg for undenvear and clothing of all kinds for a · new, although It may be a general law m conformity to the practice of the com­ family. of SlX., ~~~ and anothet: for "two gold watches, chains, rings, and othec ~~!dry, &i12. Another claim for property lost in the same fire is for a mit;tee, to provi~e that a~y offi~er or enlisted man who has lost property by an acCidental fire Without his negligence may present his claim to the War Depart­ "Ssu.wgo. ~runk and contents, ~..58," and a "leather h-unk and content , $304.50. • • ment and ha.Ye it allowed and paid? rr:he first Item of the first cla1m pre en ted is for an" envelope containing, in Mr. COCKRELL. Under certain conditions therein stated. Umted States curr~ncy, $i7.5;1," and a claim (stated at$0,17 .50) for property de­ stroyed at MempJ;U , Ten.n., m 1867, embra,ccs "family clothing and underwear :Mr. DoLPH. It seems to m~ that it is based on a wron~ principle. Mr. CoCK?tELL· The que tton has been debated fifty tunes in the Senate and 81,500; gold and SJIYer com, $)25; personal clothing $605.50 · paintin!!"S encrrav~ "lwayl!l decided one way; and the committee, in order to get rid of the ings, and. frames, $500." Tbe widows of two office~ have ftled cla~s 'for prop­ per~onal erty lost m 184.9, stated at 1,000 and 136 respectively. When it is remembered Jttyestigation of all the!!e <;ase rel?orted this g~neral _bill w~ch has been passed 1 tha:t the G;o~erm;nent must depend almo t entirely upon the tatement of the ~the Hou e. and we hm1ted It, did not make It as widens 1twaswhen it passed -.ue House. We restricted it more narrowly than the House bill. claunant, It lS eVIdent that an opportunity is afforded for the pr entation of cl.aims which may be greatly magnified beyond the actuallo_ . Attention is in­ !Ir. FRYE. And th~ payment in case of a loss by fire is limited, is it not? :&Ir. CoCKRELL. It IS. Vited to the clan e wherein the Secretary of 'Var is directed to determine what 1\Ir. FRYE- WJ?ere an officer or soldier in taking charge of Government prop- articles are reasonable, useful, &c. This clause is c pable of two constructions: 4n'ty sacnfices his own. (1) That the Secr.etary shall prepare a li t of articles applicable to all ca · in Mr. SEWELL. The limitation extends to the articles necessary for the position other words, shall make a general and inflexible rule upon the subject· {2) ihat of the officers or men, not to watches, trinkets, or anything of that kind, but to the Secretary shall determine in each case what article lo tor destr~yed are f.be necessary equipment of the soldier or officer. reasonable, &c. The ~ast.w:ouid seem to be !Jle m?re probable construction, and yet the method by which It IS to be accomplished IS both unusual and inconven­ Mr• . Comau:LL. '£he bill as proposed to be amended reads: ient, and may be inconclusiYe. "Ttl~t the pro~er accountingo!fi~rs of theTre.asury be, and they are hereby, The mode of. procedure in effecting a settlement of these claims differs from ~utbonzed and duected to examme rnto, ascertain, and determine the value of f\he private property belonging to officers and enlisted men in the military serv­ the well-establiShed rules which govern the adjudication ofother claims against the Gove~nment. Under the .act a?d the rules prescribed by the accounting of­ ~e of the United States which has been, or may hereaft.er be lost or destroyed ln the military service under the following circumstances: ' ficers, clarmants make up theu clauns and file them with the Third Auditor of the Treas~ry, who, ~fter the receipt of e~dence in support thereof, forwards the "First. Wh~n such_fault or destruction was without fault or negligence on the pape!s, Wltho~t statmg w~ether the claim i proved, t{) the Secretary of 'Var ~rt of the claun.ant. for him decide what articles are con idered ·• necessary useful proper "&c "Sncond. Where the private property so lost or destroyed was shipped on to board an unseaworthy vessel by order of any officer authorized to give such None of the claims have yet. r~eiv~ the action required ::,f the Secretar-Y, but order or direct such shipment. when one IS acted upon byh1m It wtll go back to the Auditor to determine the v~lue of the articles decided by the Secretary to be necessary, &c. The papers "Third: Where it ~ppears that the loss or destruction of the private property will then go to the Second Comptroller, who, not considering the proof in a o f the claunant was rn consequence of his having given his attention to the sav­ given case sufficient to establish the loss, may reject the cl im. It will thus be ing of the property belonging to the United States which was in danger at the same time and under similar circumstances. And the amount of such loss so see?- that the labor required of the Secretary of V? ar may be a work of superero­ ascertained and determined shall be paid out of any money in the Treasury not gation. 9!'1 the subj.ect of compensati?n for pro~rty lo t by officers and men in the o~herwise appropri~ted, a:nd shall be in full for all such loss or damage: Pro­ military serVIce of other .countries, an exammation has been made of the works t-~d. That any chum which shall be presented and acted on under authority of found in the libraries of this city relating to suchlo es in tbe British, French and this act shall be held as finally determined, and shall never thereaft.er be re­ German In the British there i an allowance granted to opened or considered: And provided further, That this act shall not apply to ar:m~es . a~y offi~ers, lo es SllStained in time of war or hostilities with Indians: And provided further non-com~~oned officers, and soldiers t~ enable them to re-equip themselves after haVIng mcurred loss~ of prop~rty, e1ther by the_ enemy. shipwreck, fire, or ~at the liability of the Government under this act shall be limited to such ar: by the volun~ry dt:Struc~JOn of article or hor es, With the view of preventing ticle of personal property as the Secretary of War, in his discretion, shall decide the spread of mfectlous disefl.Ses. In all such eases a. board of officers is required to be reasonable, useful, nece sary, and proper for such officer or soldier while to establish the nature,. e~ent, and can e of ~e lo s, nnd to recommend the in quarters, en~ged in .the public service, in the line of duty." Mr. DoLPH. Now I th1nk I understand the bill. In the first place it prcposes ~ount to be allowed wtthin .a scale from a !JlaXimum of £314 (light equipment lD the tiel~) and £373 (full eqmpme?t In garriSo~) for a general officer, a mini­ to pay for the loss of all property of person in the military service of the United to !Dum of £10 2s. and £97 ~·· r~ p~ctively, for assiStant or veterinary surgeons of States where the property ~as lost without the fault of the party lo ing the prop­ mfantry. No compensahon~sg~ven tooffice:s forlo esincurred while they are • erty. In the second place 1t proposes to pay for the loss of all property shipped on leave of absence, except 1n the case of sick leave· and should an officer in on unseaworthy vessels by order of the Government. In the next place it pro­ proceeding to. or returning from a send hi by a vessel in which post> to pay for the lo of property of the claimant, notwithstandinoohemaybe ~ti?n ba~ge he d~es not h1mself proceed, and fail to msure it, should be have the opportunity if negli.gen~ hims_elf, his negligence aro e.from the fact that he was ~ngaged at of domg_so, then anY: loss incurred by s~Li.pwreck or fire will not be made good by the tune I;D,savmg ~vernment pr<;>perty mst~d ?f saving his own. The very the public. The cla1ms of non-commtss1oued officers or soldier· for the lo of first proviSion th~re.IS that t~~ United ~tates mVI~s ?laims for payment for all clothing and neces aries are required to be establis bed by a board of re.,.imen tal ~r?l?erty ~o t while m the milit"a!Y service exceptm timeofwarandduringhos· officers, and compensation is given according to the actual Yalue ofth~ articles tihh~, w1thout the fault or ne15hgenceofthepartylosingthe property. !think at the time of their loss. In the estimates for 1 1 and 1885 £1,500 i asked to ~~tt~ !~::!n~road and very rmpOl'tant measure to be brought up on the sp:::;,- compensate officers and men for losses upposed to be those above mentioned which is a very small amount for the objects enumerated. ' 1-ir. DOLPH. Mr. President, the bill passed and became a law. In the French army there exist-S a fund known as "the general sustenance Its fund," b~i?g a certai.? s~m allo~ed. by th~ government to each regiment or provisions are considered so extraordinary as to have been made a sub­ other military orgo.mzat10n, which IS applied to commutation of officers' quar­ ject of discussion by the Secretary of War in his report under a distinct ters, office expenses, commutation of rations, loss of private effects or when heading and have $o been noticed by the President in his message. I horses or effects are taken by the enemy-open to officer of all grade;, ask the Secretaryto read what the Secretary ofWarsaysaboutthebill of~fse~~~~~e German army, there d ~s not appear to be any legislation in his annual report, which I send to the desk. In the provision made by Congress for payment of lo es by officers and men of private property, under exceptional circumstanc on the steamer J. The Chief Clerk read as follows: Don. Cameron, the property insured was wisely exempted from the benefit-S of ~ongress, in the act of Ma~ch 3, 1885 (23 St.a.tutes, page 850), enacted: ~be act. In the enactment unde;r consideration there is no such restriction. It Th!!-t the pro~r accountmg o.ffic«:rs of the Tr~surybe, and they are hereby, IS doubted whether the act was mtended to be of the comprehensive character authonzed and directed to examme mto, ascertam, and determine the value of its ln..nguage imports, and the matter is submitted for such further action aa the private property belonging to officers and enlisted men in the military serv­ Con[TeSS may deem proper. ice of the United States which has been, or may hereafter be lost or destroyed in the military service, under the following circumstances: ' Mr. DOLPH. The President of the United States in his annual "First. 'Vhen such loss or destruction was without fault or negligence on the message says: part of the claimant. "Second. Where the private property so lost or destroyed was shipped on board The act approved March~ 1885, designed to compf'.nsate officers and enli ted an unseaworthy vessel by order of any officer authorized to give such order or men for lo s of private property while in the service of the United State is so direct such shipment. indefir;lite in its terms, and apparently admits so many claims the adjustment ''Third. Where it appears that the loss or destniCtion of the private property ~fa~~~~~~uAdn~~J.s~=n~!nr'ntemplated, that if it is to remain upon the of the claimant was in consequence of his having given his attention to the sav­ ing of the property belonging to the tTnited States which was in danger at the same time and under similar circumstances; and the amount of such loss so as­ Now, sir, re-enforced and confirmed in my opinion as to the unwise certained and determined shall be paid out of any money in the Treasury not character of this enactment, I have introduced this bill for the repeal o~herwi e appropr~ated, ~nd shall be in full for all such loss or damage: Pro­ of the act. wded, That anyclaun which shall be presented and acted on under authority of this act shall be held as finally determined, and shall never thereaft-er be re­ The palpable objections to this act are: o pen~d or ~on~idered : AndproJYU!.e?-.Jur~, Tha~ this act shall not apply to losses First. That it makes an indefinite continuing appropriation for the sustn;m~d. m trme of war or hostilities w1th Indians: .And p1'0'1Jidedfu.rther, That payment of claims against the Government. the liability of the Government under this act sb,aH be limited t{) such articles of personal property as the Secretary of War, in his discretion shall decide to be Second. Thr.t itauthorizes the presentation, settlement, and payment reasonable, useful, necessary, and proper for such officer or soidier while in quar­ of claims of tho character mentioned which have arisen' at any time ters, engaged in the public service, in the line of duty: And provided further That since the forma·:.ion of the Government. all claims now e~isting shall be p resenf:ed within two years, and not after: from Ule passage of this act; and all su ch claimS hereaft.er arisingbepresented within Third. That it establishes no limit to the amount of property to be· ~o y ears from the occurrence of the loss or d estruction., paid for, and does not sufficiently define the chn,racter of such property, OONG RESSIONAL REOORD-SEN ATE. 159 but relegates these subjects to the judgment or capric~ of the Secretary when it waa passed, and in what I have now said, I meant no criticism ufWar. or reflection upon the Senator from Missouri. I have great faith in his · Fourth. It makes the Government an insurer of the personal property ability and his integrity, and I feel like commending him on all occa­ of every officer and enlisted ma.n in the Army while in the line of duty sions for his zeal and watchfulness over the interests of the Govern­ m time of peace, which may be decided by the Secretary of War to be ment. I knew he did not introduce this bill; it originated in the House "reasonable, useful, necessary, and proper." of Representatives. I do not say it was prepared by any member of the It prescribes a different mode of procedure for the settlement of such Honse; I think it was prepared by parties interested, and I will say claims from the established rules which govern the adjudication of other here that I believe the bill is in the interest of an organized raid upon 'claims against the Government. the Treasury of the United States and was intended as such by who­ As to the character of the claims to J>e paid under this act, the act ever drew it. It paased through the Senate without such consideration appears to be without precedent in this country, and, so far as known, as it ought to have received. I did not believe the Senator from Mis­ in foreign countries. It should be either repealed or greatly modified. sourigave the bill such consideration as he usually gives to such matters, I think it should be repealed; if not, it should be amended so as to pro­ and I do not think so still. If anything would shake my confidence in vide for the payment of such property only as has been or shall be de­ his judgment of this matter, it would be the zeal he has now mani­ stroyed or lost not only without the fault or negligence of the claim­ fested in defending the bill ant but by reason of the fault or negligence of the agents of the Gov­ The bill is wrong in principle. So far as I know there has never ernment in the performance of their official duties, so as to limit ita been, while I have been a member of the Committee on Claims, a re­ provisions to claims which have arisen within a comparatively recent port made in which the committee undertook to hold the Government period, say to the period of six years prior to the passage of the act, to liable for the fraud or the mistake or the negligence of the officers of such articles as are necessary for the use of the officer or soldier while the Government. Such a principle, if established in this Government, on duty, which should be, as far as possible, described in the act, and to would be very disastrous. If in every department of the Government provide for a board of Army officers or other competent tribunal to pass the United States should hold itself liable to any citizen for every in­ upon such claims and report upon the nature, extent, and cause of the i ury occurring by reason of the wrongdoing or the negligence of public loss and recommend the amount to be paid. officers, no amount of taxation would be sufficient to keep the Treas­ The truth is, sir, that there is no Department ofthe Government, so far ury full. And, sir, I do not think there can be found upon the statute­ as I am informed, where the Government is liable for the mistakes, de­ books a single general law in which the Government has undertaken to faults, or negligences of its officers by which its citizens have incurred pay such claims. If there have been private acts reported from the loss; and I think even if the act were amended as I have suggested it Committee on 1\filitary Affairs as suggested by the honorable Senator, would still be unwise legislation. It would not be well even in favor in discussing this bill at the time it was passed I undertook to say that of so meritorious a class as the officers and enlisted men of the Army to that practice was wrong, that the principle upon which those claims undertake to make the Government liable in every case for the negli­ were paid was wrong. What reason is there why the GoYernment gence of the officers of the Government. should make itself an insurer of the personal property of all the offi­ I ask that the bill be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. cers and enlisted men in the Army, and if the Government is to make Mr. COCKRELL. Mr. President, I hope the conscience of the dis­ itself the insurer of the property of such officers and employes, why tinguished Senator from Oregon is relieved of the weight of responsi­ not of every officer and agent and employe of the Government in every bility which rested upon him in entering his objections to this bill, par­ department? ticularlysince the very lucid and elaborate explanation of the bill which Then again the worst feature, probably, about this bill is that claims has been made by the distinguished Secretary of War. may be presented at any t~e within two years after its passage which :Mr. President, this bill is nothing new. It is simply an enuncia­ originated at any period since the formation of the Government, and tion of a policy and principle which has guided the legislation of this already claims have been presented for losses which are alleged to ha\e country from the foundation of it down to this date; The Statutes at been incurred in 1849, for the contents of trunks, for the contents of Large teem with bills passed in pursuance of the. policy indicated in this safes, for the contents of buildings-presented after the evidence which law. Every committee of this body in the last ten yea.rs that has juris­ the Government might have obtained to show what the property was diction of such matters has reported favorably such bills. They ha.Ye that was lost and the character and value of it has been lost to the Gov­ been reported favorably from the Committee on Claims; they have been ernment, when no one has any particular interest in looking up testi­ reported favorably from the Committee on Milit.'lry Affa.irs; and they mony and defending the Government against such claims, claims that have been reported favorably from the Committee on Naval Affairs; must be determined entirely on the ex parte statement of the claimant. and they have passed; and this bill is as carefully guarded as any meas­ In exc1>mining a claim presented from the State of New York to the ure of the kind could be. If the War Department may not be able to Committee on Claims, !'had occasion to examine a somewhat similar determine what "articles of personal property" are "reasonable, use­ bill to provide for the loss of property· during actual hostilities and to ful, necessary, and proper for such officer or soldier while in quarters, comment upon it, and the remarks made by me in that report are ap­ engaged in public service in the line of duty,'' it is certainly not ihe plicable now to this feature of this bill which allows claims to be pre­ fault of Congress. It does seem to methatthereonght to be some ma­ sented whichareahundredyearsold. I ask theSecretary toread what chinery in the War Department that could determine so plain a ques­ I reported at that time on that subject. tion as that-so plain that even he who runs may read and understand. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. HARRIS in the chair). If there Our Government is not as liberal in this respect as other govern­ be no objection, the matter sent up by the Senator will be read. ments, and the very authority that the Secretary of War quotes shows The Chief Clerk read as follows: that the English Government is much more liberal. This bill was War claims have in the past been the subject of much fraud, even when au­ passed by the House of Representatives and was referred to the Com­ dited while they w~re fresh and the witnesses to the transactions out of which mittee on Military Affairs of the Senate and was submitted to me as a they arose were living. .As an example of such frauds your committee cite tlhe case of certain claims closely connected with the one under consideration, pre­ subcommittee of that committee. Itwas reported back to the full com­ sented for payment under the provisions of an act of Congress approved April9, mittee, sanctioned by the full committee, reported to the Senate, passed, 1816, entitled "An act to authorize the payment for property lost, captured, or and became a law. destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the United State , and for other purposes." By that act proviUnited States Navy who was on board the committed H to the payment of every Indian claim. Whenever we said steamship, under orders, a sum equal in amount t.o his pay and allowances have passed a bill (at leru;t since I have been on this floor) for the pay­ for eight months. ment of losses inconed by Army officers of this character, it has been SEc. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any such officer, non-commissioned officer, musician, or private shall have died before receiving such payment from stated that the case was a special one. While it is true, as the Senator any cause consequent upon said disaster, his widow, if one survive him, and, if from Connecticut says, that probably what a military man has may be not, then his minor children, if any there be, shall be paid a sum equal in +J:J.e subject of-regulation, I do not think it is qnite as much in detail amount to six months' pay and allowances of the deceased. And that the wid­ ows and minor children of those officers, non-commissioned officers, and pri­ as he says it is; but still suppose an officer can only have certain pairs vates who perished by this disaster, or who died from disease in consequence Jf pistols, a certain sword, a certain number of dress-coats, &c., I think thereof, shall be allowed pensions in t.he same manner in all respects as if the the Senator has bad familiarity enough with boards of survey to know said officers\ non·commissioned officers, and privates had been killed in battle. (10 Stat., 269J. that when a question of loss arises to be considered, the men who lose Approved March 27, 1854. anything are always the men who had a full supply. I never knew a. man to be employed in the Army who was necessarily called on to ac­ An act for the relief of certain officers of the Third United States Artillery, who count for the loss of property, where that man did not happen to be suffered by fire at Fort Hamilton, New Y Ol"k Harbor, on the 3d of March, 1875. - equipped with everything from a. watering pail to a picket-pin that he Be it en-acted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the proper accounting officers of Treasury was entitled by law to have, though not one man in a. thousand ever had of the United States be, and are hereby, authorized to settle with the first lieuten­ them fifteen minutes after they were drawn. ants of the Third United States Artillery who lost their personal effects by fire at This bill is as vicious, I think, as a bill of that kind, well intended Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor,on the 3d ofMarch1 1875, at a sum not to ex­ ceed~ each. and a sufficient sum is hereby appropriated out of any money in a.s it was, could possibly be. I hope it will be repealed, but I have no the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. expectation that it will be. Approved January 30,1ff77. Mr. COCKRELL. I simply want to call attention to some prece­ dents in this case and to a bill that was once passed couched in the exact An act for the relief of the sufferers by the wreck of the United States steamer Huron, and for other purposes. language of this bill, sent to the Secretary of War for him to determine Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Unii.OO. States oj the amount that should be paid, and it wa.s determined and he never America -ln Con{fl·ess assembled, That to reimbw-se the survivors of the officers complained of the looseness of the language. A bill of this kind was and crew of the United States steamer Huron, wrecked off the coa-st of North Carolina. on t-he morning of the 24.th of No>ember, lffl7, for the losses incurred passed: by them respectively in said wreck, there shall be paid, out of any money in the '.rhat the Secretary of war is hereby authorized and required to ascertain the Trea-sury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, the following sums, value of the property lost by First Lieut. Frank P. Gross, U. S. A., by the burning to wit: _ of his quarters at Fort Clark, Tex., on or about the 19th day of April,1869, with­ To William P. Conway, master, $1,000. out fault or neglect on his part, and the amount so ascertained is hereby appro­ To Lucien Young, ensign, $1,000 ~ priated for that purpose: PrO'Vide.d, That no allowance be marie for any property To Robert G. Denig, assistant engineer, &1,000. except what was useful, necessary, and proper for such an officer whilst in quar­ To EdgarT. Warburton, cadet-engineer, $1,000; and the following-named sur­ ~rs , engnged in the public service, or exceeding in amount the sum of $2,000. vivors of the crew of said vessel, to wit: Patrick Kane, Michael Trainor, Joseph Murphy, William McHugh,Michael Kennedy, Frank Watts Pt>ter Duffy, Fred­ That was passed and became a law. The Secretary of War adjudi­ erick Hoffman, William L.Houseman,Robert Sampson, Mic~lDurkin,Domi­ cated the claim and paid it. There was no complaint that the law was nique O'Donnell, August Lindgrist, Daniel Devoy, J. J. Robertson, Dennis Deasy, Samuel Clark, John E. Holland, John Collins, W. W. Brooks, Harry W. so loose that the Department did not know what to do under it. . Sun­ Avery, Daniel Burgan, Frank May, Harry Nelson, Thomas Price, Antoine Will­ dry other bills of that kind have passed. We put in an amendment, iams, Joseph Haynes, Thomas Carley, E. P. Trainer, Edward Aaronbw·g, SJOQ which became a part of this law, using the exact language which we each~ 1885. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 161

With this long list of precedents, your committee does not feel willing to make be paid for is too indefinite, too uncertain. It vests too much, as I have Lieutenant Gross an exception. Your committee holds that no allowance should before stated, in the judgment or the caprice of the Secretary of War. be made fo.r a~y prop.erty not necessary and proper for Lieute~ant Gross whil~ in the service m the Jme of duty; and not bemg able t-o determme from the eVI­ One fault that I find with this legislation is that the first subdivision dence what articles claimed and destroyed were useful, necessary and proper provides for payment for property '~when such loss or destruction was for such an officer while in the public service, or the exact value thereof, your committee recommend a substitute by striking out all aflier the enacting clause without fault or negligence-on the part of the claimant,'' independent and insert-ing the following, to wit: •' That the Secretary of War is hereby au­ of the question as to whether the Government was at aJl at fault. thorized and required to ascertain the value of the property lost by First Lieut. Therefore under the provisions of this act the claim which has been pre­ Frank P. Gross, U. S. A., by the burning of his quarters at Fort Clark, Tex., on or about the 19th day of Aprill1869, without fault or neglect on his part, and the sented for the loss of household furniture by an officer of the Army sta.­ amount so ascertained is hereoy appropriated for that purpose: Provided, That tioned at Chicago during the great fire comes within this clause. What no allowance be made for any property except what was useful, necessary, and shall be allowed, I grant, is to be determined bythe Secretary of War, proper for such an officer while in quarters, engaged in the public service, or exceeding in amount the sum of $2,000., but by him alone, aecording, as I said before, to his judgment orca­ price. That provision is too indefinite, if the law shall stand at all. Mr. LOGAN. Mr. President, I desire to say but a word in relation Mr. LOGAN. Now let the Senator listen to the reading of the law to this proposition. in that particular, and let us see if we can not arrive at the same con­ I desire first to state that, as is well known by the Committee on clusion in reference to its proper construction. The section, after going Military Affairs, on which I served for a number of years, I havenever on and enumerating how the value of the articles shall be determined willingly acceded to the proposition that the Government of the United by the Secretary of War, provides- - States should become an insurance office in order to become responsible That the liability of the Government under this act shall be limited to­ for the loss ofproperty. This bill, however, was passed after due con­ To what? sideration by the committee, as I remember it, for the reason that at To such articles of personal property as the Secretary of War in his discretion every session of Congress bills were passed a.llowing compensation to =e~.ecide to. be reasonable, useful, necessary, and proper~for:Such officer or officers and men of the Army for the loss of property. I am very much .surprised, sir, at the report of the Secretary of War. Doubtless he is What is reasonable, nseful, and necessary for an officer or a soldier? an able man, an able jurist, and occupying the position he does should The Secretary of War ought to be competent to determine that matter, be well versed in military affairs, and I presume he has so become; but and if he is not he la{Jks in that competency which ought to pertain to if any Senator will read this act carefully I do not believe he can come his position. Now, sir, what is reasonable, useful, and proper for a to the same conclusion the Secretary of War has arrived at. soldier are his clothing and his bedding and such articles as are allowed In the first place, if I were required to construe this law I would try and furnished him by the Government which are charged against him. to do it in about this way: I would first examine the statutes and as­ If he loses those things which pertain to him as a soldier, which are certain what a soldier is a.llowed, how many suits of clothes he is en­ charged to him by the Government, then he is entitled to compensation titled to during one year, with necessary bedding, &c., their value, &c., for them if he loses them under any of the circumstances mentioned in and then if he had an excess beyond that amount unnecessary for him this law. If he bas accumulated half a dozen suits of clothes, he is not as a soldier, that the Government would not be liable for such excess entitled under the law to compensation for their loss, but he is only en­ should loss occur as pointed out by the law. If the loss was occa.sioned titled to compensation for what is "necessary, useful, and proper." not by laches on his part but by negligence on the part of the Govern­ What is necessary for an officer? He may be entitled to a horse or ment or its agents, he would then be entitled to compensation for that horses and to the equipments for the animals, and entitled to his sword, loss. If he had accumulated a number of articles not recognized by which, however, he purchases himself; he is entitled to his uniform, but law, not recognized by the regulations of the Army as being those which he purchases it himself. He is entitled to his bedding. He is entitled the Government supplied to him as a soldier, I would say that he was to a box or trunk or mess-chest, or whatever is necessary to carry those not· entitled to compensation for them; and this law bears that simple, things in time of war or to retain them in time of peace. But will any plain construction. Why the Secretary of War shall say that it is im­ man say that because a person is a commissioned officer the Secretary of possible to construe this law when by law the articles that shall be War is to extend his generosity so much as to allow bedding and cloth­ issued to the soldier, and named-for those articles he is certainly en­ ing for six of a family and say all that is necessary for an officer? That titled to pay if lost in the manner stated in the act-I ca.n not under­ may be necessary to his family, but is not to him as an officer. That stand. which is necessary to him as an officer is that which is allowable and Mr. DOLPH. I wish to ask the Senator a question if he will per­ that which is provided for-the equipment, the accouterment, and the mit me. paraphernalia tlut.t belong to an officer-nothing more. Mr. LOGAN. Certainly. To s~y that this law can not be fairly construed and that it is sub­ Mr. DOLPH. Does not the first clause of that bill, which is sepa­ ject to different constructions and that it can not be determined how rately numbered, authorize and direct the payment for property lost much property an officer or soldier shall be a.llowed, is a conclusion that or destroyed where the Government is not in fault? For instance, a I should dislike to arrive at were I Secretary of War. He speaks of claim was presented by a certain high officer for the loss of his house­ claims having been presented for two gold watches, chains, rings, and hold effects which were burned during the great fire in Chicago for other jewelry, and he can not determine whether an officer is entitled which the Government was not at aJl responsible. Is not that clause to watches, rings, chains, and jewelry as an officer of the Army! It broad enough to authorize and direct payment .tor the loss of property seems to me that this could be determined by a man of learning in this under any circumstances where the officer or enlisted man who owned line without being a secretary of war. I have never heard stores the property was not in fault? proper for an officer denominated in this way before. It seems to me Mr. LOGAN. In case of a fire where theGoveiJlmentmight not be that he could readily determine that an officer is not entitled to anal­ in fault or the officerinfanlt, wherethe loss was not on account of any lowance for chains, rings, and jewelry, as an officer ofthe Army. He negligence on the part of the officer, he might be entitled to compensa­ is entitled to them for himself if he purchases them, but the Govern­ tion, where the Secretary, weighing the matter fairly, could see that his ment is not responsible for them or their loss, as they are not nece.ssary claim was equitable and just; not entitled to compensation, however, to an officer or soldier. for a large amount of household furniture; and there is where the Sec­ The simplest mode of Construing statutes, in my judgment, would retary of War is in error. The officer losing his property by reason of give to this act a definite meaning and understanding, without both­ a fire would not be entitled to receive compensation for property lost ering Congress or the President of the United States on the subject. that was not necessary to and for his use as an officer but only as a Although, as is well known to the Committee on Military Affairs, I householder and head of a family. Does the Secretary of War mean have heretofore opposed, while serving on that committee, this prop­ that because a claim has been presented here for the underwear of a osition, yet when a law has been passed and it comes to a mere ques­ family of six, therefore the Secretary of War is bound to allow a claim tion of construction, I say there should be no doubt in the Secretary's of that kind when the material was not necessary to the claimant as an mind as to the proper construction of this statute. officer? The law applies to him as an officer and applies to the soldier The PRESIDENT pro temp

EXPENDITURES DEP.ART~IENT OF STATE. missioner of the Freedman' Savings and Trust Company, transmitting his annual report; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of State, transmitting statement of expenditures and disbursements in Th'"VENTORY OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, ETO. the Department of-State for the year 1885; which was laid on the table, The SPEAKER also laid before the House a report from L. F. War­ and ordered to be printed. der, Acting Doorkeeper of the House, submitting an inventory of all CONTINGENT EXPENDITURES TREASURY DEP.ART.MENT. the books and public documents in the folding and storage rooms of the Honse of Representatives under charge of the Doorkeeper Decem­ The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary ber 9, 1885; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. of the Treasury, transmitting a report of the contingent expenditures of theTreasuryDepartmentforthefisca.l yearending June 30, 1885; which PROPERTY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. The SPEAKER alqo laid before the House a communication from L. CO.r TINGENT FUND WAR DEPARTMENT. ·F. Warder, Acting Doorkeeper of the House, transmitting a report and The SPEAKER ruso laid before the House a letter from the Secretary inventory of the property of the House under charge of the Doorkeeper of War, transmitting a statement of the expenditures of the contingent December 9, 1885; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. fund for that Departmentforthe:fiscalyearendingJune 30, 1885; which RULES OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH .AND FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESSES. was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Ur. REED, of Maine. I offer for present consideration the resolu­ MONEY .ACCOUNTS DISBURSING OFFICERS, WAR DEPARTMENT. tion which I send to the desk. The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary The Clerk read as follows: of War, transmitting report of inspection of money accounts of disburs­ R e olved, Th t the compilation of the revisions of the rules of the Hou e in ing officers of the War Department for the year ending June 30, 1885; the Thirty-sixth and Forty-sixth Congress prepared by the Journal Clerk be which was laid on the table. printed under his direction for the UBe of the House. SPRINGFIELD ARl\:IORY. l\Ir. REED, of Maine. I think that that publication may be of use The SPEAKER also laid before the House aletter from the Secretary in the discussion of the rules. I understand it can be printed and laid of War, transmitting a statement of expenditures for the Springfield before the Honse by Tuesday morning next. armory for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, and of arms manufact­ The SPEAKER. The question is on the ~doption of the resolution. ured and repaired during said fiscal year; which was laid on the table, 1\Ir. CANNON. Does the gentleman from l\Iaine propose to have and ordered to be printed. this compilation printed before the rules are passed upon? Ur. REED, of bbine. Yesj before the rnles are passed upon. COL. T. G. BAYLOR. Mr. C.ANNO~. What number of copies does he propose to have The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from. the Secretary printed? of War, transmitting a memorial of Col. T. G. Baylor, of the Ordnance l\Ir. REED, of Maine. The usual number. ThiB is simply a com­ Department, recommending that he be relieved of an item of 431.69 pilil.tion of the changes made in the rules in the Thirty-sixth and Forty­ charged against him upon the books of the Treasury Department; which sixth Congresses. was laid on the table. Mr. HOLMAN. I trust the gentleman from Maine will state the BOND OF UNITED STATES MARSHAL, .ALASKA. reason for this or the purpose in view. TheSPEAKERalso laid before the Honsealetterfrom the .Attorney­ Mr. REED, of Maine. The purpose iB to enable members more thor­ General, inclosing a letter from the United States attorney for Alaska, oughly to comprehend the proposed revision of the rules after the report recommending such legislation as will enable the United States marshal of the Committee on Rules sh:ill have been made. for Ala-ska to execute his official bond; which was laid on the table, and Ur. HOLMAN. We have, of course, the rules of tb~ Forty-sixth ordered to be printed. · Congress before us; but if the gentleman from l\Iaine thinks it is im­ portant to have thiB compilation printed I will, of cour e, make no ob­ .ANNUAL REPORT ATTORNEY-GENERAL. jection. The SPEAKERaJsolaid before the House a letter from the.Attorney­ The resolution was agreed to. General, transmitting his annual report to Congress; which was laid on Mr. REED, of Maine, moved to reconsider the vote by which the res­ the table. olution was adopted; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING THE 1\rA.ILS. laid on the table. The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Post­ The latter motion was agreed to. master-General, transmitting an abstract of proposals for carrying the COUNTIKG TIIE ELECTORAL VOTE. mails received during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885; which was laid on the table. J\Ir. BUCK. I desire to present a letter from the governor of Con· necticut, transmitting resolutions of the General .Assembly of that State CONTINGENT FUND INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. relative to the ascertainment and counting of the electoral vote, and The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary move that it be laid on the t.able and printed in the RECORD. of the Inrerior, transmitting a statement of expenditures of the contin­ Mr. MORRISON. I object to printing in the RECORD. gentfund for that Department for the year ending June 30, 1885; which Mr. BUCK. These are resolutions of the Legislature of Connecticut was laid on the table. relative to the counting of the electoral vote. BUILDING IN NEW Y9RK FOR ARMY USES. Mr. MORRISON. I have no objection to the resolutions being laid The SPEAKER also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary on the table and going to a committee when appointed. But I must ofWar, transmitting correspondence relative to the proposed purchase at the outset object to printing everything in the RECORD. of a site and buildinginNewYork city for Army uses; which was laid 1\fr. BUCK. I ask to have the letter and resolutions r-ead. on the table, and ordered to be printed. The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Connecticut asks to hav~ the resolutions read. The gentleman has that right. .ASSISTANT TREASURER'S .ACGOUNTS. The letter and accompanying resolutions were read, and were laid on The SPEAKER aJso laid before the Housealetterfrom the .Assistant the table.