Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1882 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

A resolution was adopted by the Honse, at its session on April 22, requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to report whether any portion of the country is adapted to the growth of the cinchona tree. On the bill for the judicial ascertainment of private claims, speeches were made by Messrs Springer, Bragg and Stephens, and several amendments were defeated. A vote on the proposition to recommit the bill showed that no quorum was present. There was no session of the Senate. A bill was passed by the Senate, at Its session on April 24, to allot lands in severalty to Indians on various reservations, and extend the protection of the laws of States and Territories. Mr. Cockrell introduced a bill to facilitate the negotiation of bills of lading and to punish fraud therein. Mr. Morgan presented a measure to encourage closer commercial relations with South America, including a rnilway to Chili. The bill for a public building at Quincy, 111., was favorably reported. Mr. George introduced a measure lor dhtributing among the cotton States, to support common schools, the proceeds of the cotton tax now in the treasury. Mr. CocUrell presented a resolution for the appointment of a special commission to promote commercial intercourse with Central and South America. The House passed a bill appropriating $50,000 for the removal of obstructions from Hell Gate, New York. Mr. Buckner presented a resolution calling for information in regard to the Monetary Conference wv* \t- Cox a similar inquiry respecting the Congress of American Nations. Mr. Dezendorf introduced a bill appropriating $1,000,000 to erect a Presidential mansion. Mr. Ford, by request, presented a scheme to issue $75,0u0,000 in treasury notes and expend it in improving the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers. A bill for a uniform system of bankruptcy was reported by Mr. Humphrey. A hot debate occurred on the measure to appoint 100 additional policemen for the District of Columbia, but the bill passed by 117 to 66. A joint resolution was adopted by the Senate, April 25, granting the use of tents for the soldiers’ reunion at Belle Plaine, lowa. Mr. Voorhees offered a resolution of inquiry whether legislation la necessary to secure an impartial determination of cases triable in the Federal courts, more particularly in the South. A till was passed to permit the grind ng of grain brought over by Canadian farmers. The River Improvement bill, giving $5,000,000 for the Mis issippi and sl,000,000 for tho Missouri, was passed without objection. The. Anti-Chinese bill then came up. The lourteenth section, prohibiting the naturalization of Celestials, was retained by a vote of 82 to 26. The fifteenth section, relating to skilled laborers, was stricken out. The President seut to the Senate the following nominations : John C. Montgomery, Surveyor or Customs at Denver, Col.; Benjamin J. Morey, of Louisiana, Assistant Appraiser of the District of New Orleans ; Andrew J. Chapman, Collector of Internal Revenue for the Ninth district of Pennsylvania; John S. Wise, Attorney of the United States for the Eastern district of Virginia; Rutlege P. Hughes, Marshal of the United States for the Eastern district of Virginia. The House passed a bill authorizing the Sioux City and Pacific road to bridge the Missouri river. A resolution was adopted inquiring about the monetary conference .in Pans. The Judiciary Committee were instructed to look into the validity of the Speaker's action in removing Mr. Devine, an official stenographer. A communication from the Third Auditor annonnoed that $234,000 was due the State of Missouri for payments to her m litia during the war. Wtien the con-tested-election ease of Lynch versus Chalmers came ap, the House refused to consider it, by 121 to 99. Mr. Robinson called ap his resolutions in regard to the imprisonment of American citizens abroad, and addressed the Honse. Mr. Cox offered a substitute, which was adopted, calling on the President for additional information and urging the continuance of efforts for the prompt release or trial of American Bnspects in Ireland. The attention of the Senate, at its session on the 26th of April, was directed almost wholly to the Chinese bill. Speeches were made by Messrs. Hawley, Edmnnds and Slater. A bill was passed for a publio building at Fort Wayne. The Senate in executive session confirmed Judge Taft as Minister to Austria. Wm. L. Dayton ss Minister to the Netherlands, and George B. Armstrong as Registir of tho Land Office at Huron, Dak. In the House the contested-election case of Lynch versus Chalmers was called up, and its consideration was ordered by 155 to 99. Tho reading of tho report consumed ninety minutes, and at its conclusion Mr. Pettibone, of Tennessee, took the floor in support of the case of the contestant. Lynch. Mr. Atherton, of Ohio, made a long argument in favor of the minority report, dec aring Chalmers entitled to the seat. Mr. Moore, of Tennessee, in advocating the seating of Lynch, protested against the shilly-shally milk-sop policy of the managers of the Republican party m tiie House, if it had any managers. He insisted on a vigorous policy in regard to the contested-election caa-_B. The President sent a message to Congress on the 27ih nit., relative to the lawless condition of Arizona, and suggesting the use of the military as posse comitatus. In the Senate Mr. Sherman introduced a bill repealing the law which forces tho coinage of $2,000,000 standard dollars per month, and directing the manufacture of silver dollars when the Secretaiy o; the Treasury deems it necessary for pubiie convenience. A motion to take up the bill to punish the unlawful certification of bank checks was lost by a tie vote. On a measure to repeal the section of the statutes prohibiting Confederates from holding positions in the army there occurred the most bitter partisan debate of the session. Mr. Edmunds led the opposition, and Messrs. Vest, Garland, Maxey and Hampton took a hand in favor of the proposition. The customary wrangle took plaoe on the Chinese bill, without action. Hie conference report on

the Postoffice Appropriation bill was adopted, the item foi fast mails for the principal cities being made $600,000. In the Honse Mr. Townshend submitted a conference report favoring the pension feature in the bill to promote the efficiency of the life-saving service. When the Mississippi contested-election case came np, Lynch, ihe colored claimant, made a speech in defense of his claim, and Chalmers presented bis side of the case. Mr. Randall offered resolutions calling on the Comptroller of the Currency for his correspondence with the Second National Bank ot, Cincinnati as to its reorganization. When the anti-Chinese MU came np in the Senate on the 28th nit, a motion to strike out the section in regard to skilled and unskilled laborers was lost by 20 to 25. After the rejection of several amendments, the biU was passed by 32 to 15. The Honse bill to fix the time for holding elections in West Virginia was passed. Mr. Conger reported a bill repealing the tonnage-tax on vessels trading with Canada, as also to reduce the hospitaltax to 40 cents per month on eaoh sailor. The Houso adopted a resolution that the Secretary ot War furnish information as to the number of United Slates soldiers iu Arizona, and whether legislation is necessary to guard life and property from destruction by Indians. In the Mississippi contested-election case, Messrs. Hooker and Tucker supported the claims of Mr. Chalmers, while Mr. Robeson argued against the decision of the Supreme Court ot Mississippi. Mr. Calkins demanded the previous question, but no vote was taken.