Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1882 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

Congress reassembled, after the holiday re. cess, on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Agnate rollcall showed fifty-one members of that body present-. A number of executive communications were laid before the Senate, and numerous petitions were presented for legislation regulating intor-Stato commerce, and for increased pay to the life-saving service. On motion of Mr. Garland, the Finance Committee was directed to inquire into the expediency of refunding the lees paid under the trade-mark legislation, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supremo Court. Mr. Anthony introduced a bill to promote the efficiency of the navy, and Mr. Maxey presented one to increase the value of the signal service. In the House, Mr. Orth rose to a question of privilege, stating that it grew out of and affecting the recent appointment of the committees of the House. Before stating the point specifically, he said : “ I ask indulgence to announce that it is my purpose at an early day to introduce for consideration a proposition to change the method of selecting committees. The vast and diversified interests of the country are all more or less affected by Congressional legislation, and this legislation, as is well known, is almost exclusively controlled by the action of the committees. For this reason their formation assumes importance, and is invested with a responsibility too great to rest in the hands of a single individual, however capable and honest and patriotic such individual may be. As now exercised, it is emphatically one man’s power, and such power is always dangerous and m conflict with the principles of our republican government. It is our duty to see that it may not at some future period bo used to the detriment of the best interests of the people.” Mr. Orth then made a strong protest against the treatment he had received from Speaker Keifer, and closed by asking that he be excused from serving on the Committee on Rules. The Speaker said: “The chair doesnot understand that it is necessary for him to vindicate himself by saying anything in reply. It must not, however, be inferred, because the chair does not undertake to challenge the statements charging him with injustice, teat the chair acquiesces in the views taken by the gentleman from Indiana” (Orth). Orth’s request was granted, and he was excused from further service on the Committee on Rules. A bill was introduced by Mr. Hawk, 'of Illinois, providing for the labeling of oleomargarine and other imitations of butter with their truo name. Mr. Hawk also introduced a bill to reorganize the militia. Mr. Hewitt caused the adoption of a resolution of thanks to the Khedive of Egypt for the gift of Cleopatra’s needle. In the Senate, on the 6th inst., with Mr. Garland in the chair, Mr. Maxey offered a resolution instructing the Secretary of the Interim to furnish a report of the survey of the Texas Boundary Commission in 1858. Mr. Sherman moved to take up his 3-per-cent. Bond bill, but was antagonized by Messrs. Beck and McPherson. A resolution calling for information relative to pension frauds was passed. Au interesting and important document was sent to the Senate, accompanied by a communication from the President, calling the earnest attention of Congress to the desirableness of immediate legislation amending the postal laws relating to contracts for the star mail service. It has been discovered that the Government is practically without protection against a wholesale system of worthless bonds submitted by bidders along with their proposals, and that some legislation is necessary to enable the Postoftiee Department to examine into the sufficiency of these bonds. During the Brady regime great numbers of these worthless bonds were accepted, and the Government was left without any remedy when the contractors failed to carry out their contracts. The necessity for additional protection in this matter of straw-bonds was brought to notice by Postmaster General James in his explorations in the domain of the star-route frauds, and the President is so strongly impressed with the importance of the subject as to urge upon Congress its immediate consideration. The President nominated to the Senate Samuel C. Parks, of New Mexico, to be Associate Justice in Wyoming, and Joseph Bell, of New York, to be Associate Justice in New Mexico. Ths Senate adjourned to Monday, 9th. The House was not in session. i

“I’m down on you,” as his small mus tacho remarked to the youthful Pillikins