Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1882 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

In the Mississippi contested-election case, Mr. Calkins closed the debate in the House by a speech of two hoars, on the 29th alt The vote on the minority resolution to sea* Chalmers stood 104 to 125. On the resolution to seat Lynch, the colored contestent, the vote stood 125 to 83. The fortnn&te man was escorted to the bar by Mr. Calkins and sworn in by the Speaker. A oonferenoe report on the Postoffice Appropriation bill was agreed to. Mr. Page moved concurrence in the Senate amendments to the anti Chiueso bill, but Mr. Hooker objected. A resolution was adopted for sending a sub-committee to Now York to take t'-n----timony in the Peruvian investigation. The Senate was not in session. Mr. Edmunds, from the Judiciary Committee, reported to the Senate, on the Ist inst, that no additional legislation is necessary to suppress lawlessness in the Territories ; that the President can warn the thieving gang in Arizona to disperse, and then use the army to restore order. Mr. Pendleton called attention to thej necessity of conferring criminal jurisdiction upon, our Ministers and Consuls, to prevent outrages on American citizens in the far East. An appropriation of $350,000 was recommended to purchase the Benjamin Franklin collection in London. Mr. Allison introduced & bill to provide for the construction of the Illinois and Mississippi river oanaL On the bill to repeal the discrimination against ex-Confederates in the army, a motion to refer the measure to the Judiciary Committee was carried. David Davis made an elaborate argument in favor of establishing a Court of Appeals. In the Houb6, bills were introduced for the appointment of a special commission to promote commercial intercourse with South America ; for a board of three army engineers to determine the best routes for ship canals between the lakes and the Mississippi, and from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, across Flqrida ; and to transfer tho Indian Bureau to the War Department; It Was agreed that on May 9 the bill to extend the charters of national banks should be considered. Mr. Townshend introduced a resolution that the President be requested to sqcnre from China the abrogation of all treaties which permit tho emigration ot Chinese, except for travel, education or commerce, but tho House refused to suspend the rules. A bill was passed for two judicial districts in lowa. The House refused to take up a bill to tax American wines 10 cents per bottle. Bills were passod for public buildings at Detroit, Peoria, Galveston, Denver, Council Bluffs, Lynchburg, Va., Jackson, Tenn., and Greensboro, N. C., at a total cost of $1,350,000. The motion to refer to the Judiciary Committee the bill removing the disqualification of exConfederates for army appointments was de seated in the Senate, on the 2d inst., by the vote of David Davis. The bill to give twelve condemned cannon to the Morton Monumental Association of Indiana was passed. The House bill for a public building at Quincy. 111., was passed, aud the House amendment to the act for a postoffice at Peoria was concurred in, making the appropriation $250,000. Mr. Lapham proposed a constitutional amendment prohibiting any denial of suffrage on account of sex. Several amendments were offered. to Mr. Davis’ bill to establish a court of appeals. A favorable report was made on a bill to cede to the First. Taxing District of Tennessee, for a public library, a lot intended for a Government building in Memphis. The House passed bills for public buildings at Hannibal and Peoria. In committee of the whole on the Tariff Commission bill, Mr. Hewitt, of Alabama, voiced his sentiments. The Senate amendments to the Chinese bill were concurred iu. Diplomatic correspondence in regard to the condition of Jews in Russia was presented and referred. 'On the Political Disabilities bill a partisan debate took place in the Senate on the 3d inst, in which Messrs. Ingalls, Saulsbury, Garland, Butler, Hampton, Voorhees aud Hawley participated. On the bill to create a Court of Appeals, the amendment as to patent and copyright cases was ’•ejected, as were several others. The House amendment to the bill for the sale of Miami lands in Kansas was concurred in. Mr. Voorhees offered a resolution for a committee to investigate whether corrupt influences bad been used oti any member in regard to the bill relating to distilled spirits in bond, and asked therefor immediate consideration. Mr. Morrill objected, and the resolution went over. The Senate Committee on Military Affairs has submitted a report on the conduct of the Soldiers’ Home near Washington. They state that the grounds have become a national park for the benefit of wealthy citizens, and the expense of keeping ap the beautiful drives is borne by the soldiers. Gen. Drum has steadily refused to receive products of the garden*, but the other Commissioners have for the past twelve years been regularly furnished with milk, fruits, bouquets and all sorts of vegetables. Iu the House, bills were reported :To allow the army to be used as a posse comitatus ; for the erection of a memorial column at Washington’s headquarters at Newburg, and to aid the centennial celebration iu that city ; to carry into effect the provisions of the constitution respecting the election of President and Vice President, and for the erection of a $60,000 lighthouse near the mouth of Detroit river. In the debate on the Tariff Commission bill, speeches were made by Messrs. Springer, Burrows, Blackburn and Kenna. Mr. Belmont offered a resolution calling on the President for copies of instructions from the Navy Department to the commander of the South Pacifio squadron. The Committee on Military Affairs reported a substitute for the bill relatiug to retirements from the army, providing that after serving thirty-five years any officer may be placed on the retired list by application to the President, or after reaching the age of 62.

Mr. Voorhees called up his resolution in the Senate, on the 4th inst; fer an investigation of alleged corrupt influences in regard to the bill to extend the bonded period for whisky. Mr. Windom, in moving an amendment for an inquiry as to whether money had been raised to assist the passage of that bill, remarked that he believed a gigantic whisky ring had been formed to control legislation. Mr. Voorhees’ resolution was indefinitely postponed. A bill was passed for a light-house at Point Patterson, Lake Michigan. Mr. Sherman introduced a bill for the preservation of forests on public lands adjacent to navigable rivers. The bill to remove the disqualification of ex-Confederates for army appointments was sent to the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Anthony offered a resolution for an inquiry into tho expediency of providing for the pavment of interest on stolen bonds. The Court of Appeals bill was considered until the hour of adjournment. The House spent the day on the Tariff-Com-mission bill, m committee of the whole. Those who made speeches were Messrs. Chandler, Got tschalk, Hatch, Lane and Morrison. Mr. Windom offered a resolution in the Senate, on the sth inst., which was adopted, for the appointment ot a committee of five to inquire whether money has been contributed by interested parties to aid or defeat the passage of the bill in regard to distilled spirits in bond. On the bill to create a Court of Appeals Messrs. Garland and Frye made arguments. Bills were passed to reetoie to the publio domain portions of the Fort Niobrara reservation in Kansas, and to give Memphis the site for a publio library. O. V. Tousley, of Minnesota, was nommated by tho President to be Consul at Trieste. The Tariff Commission bill again occupied the time of the House for the day. Speeches were made by Messrs. Randall, Curtin, Wbitthorne, Tucker and Kelley. The former offered an amendment that the commission be composed of two Senators, three Representatives and four civilian experts. An evening session was held to consider pension bills, at which forty-five were passed.