Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1883 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

The Senate adopted a resolution, at Its session on Dec. 22, in favor of giving a rebate on tobacoo in case the tax be reduced. The Civil-Service bill was considered. Mr. Brown’s amendment to limit the term of the Commissioners was lost Mr. Saulsbury’s proposition that the Commissioners take an oath to perform their duties without political bias was adopted, and tbetir salaries were fixed at #3,500 each. The House adopted a resolution to adjourn to Wednesday, Jan. 3, and fixing the hours of meeting at 11 a m., after that date. The Army Appropriation bill was taken up in committee of the whola Mr. Thomas, of Illinois, instancing the case of Lieut. Fred Grant, secured an amendment providing that Aids-de-Camp shall receive no additional rank or pay for staff duty. Mr. Brown offered an amendment designed to prevent the appointment of political pets to army paymasterships, but a vote disclosed the lack of a quorum. There was nothing done worthy of mention in either house of Congress at the session on Dec. 23. There was a little personal controversy In the Senate between Messrs. Hoar and Beck, while the Pendleton Civil Service bill was under consideration, which caused a slight ripple of excitement at the moment, but it was soon forgotten. Bhortly thereafter both the Senate and House adjourned over the holidays. Upon the reassembling of the Senate, after the holidays, on Dec. 27, debate recommenced on the Pendleton Civil Service bill Mr. Beoksuid he would sooner see any son of his breaking stone on the roadside than seeking a department office. Mr. Hawley’s amendment to prohibit the solicitation of political contributions by one Government officer from another was rejected by 18 to 27. A new section was adopted forbidding the retention in office of any person habitually using liquor to excesa The bill then passed by 39 to 5. The noes were Messrs. Brown, of Georgia, Call, of Florida, Jonas, of Louisiana, McPherson, of New Jersey, and Morgan, of Alabama The bill provides for a board of three Commissioners to pass upon the qualifications of persons desirous of entering the public service. A chief examiner is also appointed lo act with the board and travel around the country, arranging the preliminaries and conducting the examinations. Appointments are to he distributed pro rata among the States, according to population. Political predilections are to be ignored in making selections, and those appointed must not be addicted to the excessive use of ardent spiii'X Neither Senators nor Representatives are allowed to recommend any one to the board, except in the way of certifying to the character or residence of applicants. There was no quorum in the House, and an adjournment to Dec. 30 was voted. The Edmunds hill to prevent Government officers or employes collecting from or paying to each other money for political purposes was taken up by the Senate on the Sbh ult Mr. Beck offered a Substitute to rohibit Federal officers or employes from ontributing money to any person for political uses. The latter proposition was voted down, and the former was passed. The Senate, by a vote of 22 to 21, resolved to take up the Fitz John Porter case, and consider it unfinished business from day to day until disposed of. All of those voting aye were Democrats, except Messrs. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, and Miller, of California.