Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1883 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

Mr. Ingalls Introduced a bill In the Senate on the 13th Inst, for the appointment of Beven Commissioners from civil life to investigate and report on the subject of railroad transportation, at a compensation of $lO per day and traveling expensea The House pasted' the Pension Appropriation bill, which sets aside $86,575,000, beside an unexpended balance of $15,800,000, and the Fortification Appropriation bill, which covers $325,000. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Clerk, calling attention to the necessity of making some provision fbr the in. creased representation in the next Congress. Remonstrances were presented in the Senate on the 15th against a' reduction of the duty on tin plate, against an increase of the duty on china and against the interference with the duty on cotton-seed oiL Mr. Voorhees offered a petition from Indiana favoring legislation to end the monopoly of the regular school in medical service under the Government Some work was done on the Tariff bill. In the House, a petition was presented from shareholders in the Centennial Exposition, asking for an appropriation to pay the deficit A bill was introduced to convene the next Congress on the first Monday of March. Mr. Belmont offered a resolution asking the Ways and Means Committee to report forthwith whether any class of industry requires support from the Federal Government, in the form of bounty, subsidy or charity. Mr. Geddes introduced a bill allowing newspapers to be sent free to actual subscribers. The Speaker presented the report of a naval advisory board in favor of completing four ironclads. The Tariff bill was considered at great length in the Senate on the 16th. Mr., Logan reported favorably the bill to authorize the sale of the Baton Rouge arsenal and grounds. • Mr. Dawes reported a measure for the allotment of lands in severalty to the Ottawa Indiana Mr. Hill made a favorable report on the House bill to modify the postal money-order system. The House of Representatives passed the bill for the removal of causes from State to Federal courts. A joint resolution was adopted authorizing the loan of 100 tents for the competitive drill at Nashville. A bill to pay the State of Massachusetts $230,106 for expenditures for coast defense during the war was defeated. Joseph E. Taylor was sworn in from the Sixteenth district of Ohio. A bill was reported for the erection of a library building on any of the Government reservations, to be selected by a commission, the entire cost not to exceed $1,500,000. Mr. Hammond, of Georgia, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a report on the .matter of the contingent member from Nebraska. Printed and recommitted. The report states that Thomas J. Majors, the contingent member, is responsible for the misinformation which induced the committee to make the report of April 1, 1882, in his favor; that he was aided therein by 8. J. Alexander, Secretary of State, of Nebraska; Pat O. Hawes, contingent member to the Fortyfourth Congress; Dr. P. Schnenck, and George H. Roberts, the Attorney General of Nebraska; and the testimony of W. R. Davis, of Nebraska, Majors’ private secretary, is false The report recommends the adoption of a resolution requiring the Clerk of the House to fuAiish a printed copy of this report and evidence to each of the following officers: The District Attorney of the Disti let of Columbia, tfs# Attorney General of the United Statee, Bd the Governor of Nebraska, ‘•that they may take such action as they may deem suitable to the gravity of the wrong committed by the persons whose codduot is in this conclusion set forth.” The report exonerates Representative Valentine, of Nebraska, from any knowledge or complicity in the fraud. Mr. Edmunds introduced a bill in the Senate, on Jan. 17, to provide for a commission to investigate railroad transportation. The Postofflce Appropriation bill having been taken up, Mr. Plumb explained hoW $185,000 had been expended in fast-mail facilities. The Tariff bill consumed the remainder of the session. In the House, Mr. Belford presented a memorial for the establishment of railway communication with Central and South America CharlesT. Doxey wassworn in for thp Ninth Indiana district, and J. T. Caine as delegate from Utah. A joint resolution was passed for a new mixed commission on Venezuela claims, to sit at Washington. A memorial was presented for the retention of high duties on tin plate. An amendment to the Postofflce Appropriation bill, setting aside $185,000 for fast-mail service, was agreed to by the Senate Jan. 18. Some items in the Tariff bill were considered. In the House, Mr. Anderson reported back the resolution calling for certain information in tegurd to telegraph lines built by the army. Mr. Robeson explained the. provisions of the Naval Appropriation bilL The death of Hon. J. W. Shackleford, of North Carolina, was announced, and the House adjourned out of respect to his memory.

< Mr. Harrison reported a bill. In the Senate, Dakota, to issue bonds, but Mr. Garrison ?ave notice that the scheme would be fought by three members of the Committee ou Terttories. An adverse report was made on the bill to e-tab ish in Kansas a home for imlixeab soldiers and sailors. A joint resolution vas passed for the purchase of team launches for use in the harbors of Mobile and Galveston. In the House, Jr. Moore, of Tennessee, introduced a joint evolution proposing a con«ti tut iona! amendment granting Congress power to provide by ipproj riate legislation for the legal enforcement *of the obligation of contracts entered .uto by anyTitate in the Union. The l eioainler of the’ day was devoted, in committee of the whole, to the private calendar. The ilepublicans of the House held a caucus and igreed to consider the Tariff bill Tuesday, fan. 23, and that it shall have preference over all other legislation, excepting the appropriation bills, until brought to a vote.