Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1884 — NEWS CONDENSED. [ARTICLE]

NEWS CONDENSED.

Concise Record of the Week. DOINGS OF CONGRESS. A bill authorizing the Secratary of the Navy to offer a reward of $25,000 for rescuing or ascertaining the fate qf the Greely Arctic expedition was introduced in the Senate, March 18, bv Mr. Hawlev, who, in offering the measure, said such a reward might induce ships cruising in or about the Arctic seas to keep a lookout for the exploring party, or turn occasionally out oi their coarse in order to gather information about it. Mr. Blair addressed the Senate in advocacy of the bill to aid the establishment and temporary support of common schools. It appropriates the first year $15,000,000, the second year $14,000,000 the third year $13,000,000, and so on far ten years, decreasing $1,000,000 yearly, to be expended on common-school education, the expenditure of each State to "be on the basis of illiteracy. In the House of Representatives, hills were reported to bridge the Rio Giande at Laredo and t- agle Pass, and the Missouri at Sibley and Leavenworth: to prohibit the mailing of lottery circulars or newspapers containing lottery advertisements; to regulate compensation to railroads for carrying mails, and to grant right of way through the Sioux reservation to the Dakota Central and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Roads. In Committee of the Whole the Postoffice Appropriation bill was taken np. An amendment by Mr. Reagan to extend the franking privilege to members of Congress was lost. The appropriation of $400,000 for letter carriers was rejected. The committee then rose and the bill was passed. A memorial of the Cincinnati Chamber of Comeree, protesting against the construction of a bridge across the Kanawha, was presented in the Senate on March 19. The Committee on Foreign Relations reported a bill for the inspection of meats for exportation, and prohibiting the importation of adulterated articles of food or drink. Some debate took place on bills to fix the salary of District Judges at $5,000 and to appropriate $15,000,000 for the support of common schools. In the House, the Committee on Foreign Affairs repoited that the resolutions on the death of Herr Lasker were intended as a tribute of respect to the memory of an eminent foreign statesman, and that the House does not deem it necessary to its dignity to criticise the circumstances which prevented the expressions of sympathy from reaching their destination. The report was adopted, as was also a resolution that the Honse cordially reciprocates the wishes of the liberal union members of the German Parliament for the closer union of the two nations. The bonded whisky bill was taken up in committee of the whole, by a vote of 137 to 118, and Messrs Morrison and Willis urged its passage. Resolutions directing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish copies of accounts and vouchers in the star route cases, and calling on the Secretary of the Navy for Information regarding contracts with parties in Sheffield for material for the Miantonomah, were adopted by the Senate March 20. Senator Blair's bill appropriating $15,000,000 for the support of public schools in the various States in proportion to the number of illiterate persons was debated. It was supported by Senators Garland, Blair, and Jones (Fla.), and opposed by Senators Plumb, Vest, and Allison. The House of Representatives, oy unanimous vote, adopted a resolution declaring Mr. Garrison entitled to a seat as Representative from the Fifth District of Virginia, and the oath of office was administered to him. The Speaker presented an estimate of $30,000 for the pedestal of the statue Of Gen. Garfield to be erected in Washington by the Army of the Cumberland. The bonded whiskey extension bill was discussed in committee of the whole, without action, i Sills were introduced in the Senate, March 21, to connect the cities of Davenport and Rock Island with a horse-car line, to grant a pension of SSO per month to the widow of Gen. E. O. C. Ord, and to provide for the creation of the State 'of Tacoma from Washington and Idaho Territories. Mr. Hoar called ut> the bill to increase the salaries of United States District Judges to $5,000, and Mr. Van Wvck , moved to amend by making the sum $4,b00. When the educational bill came up, Mr. Sherman moved an amendment that the money be distributed in proportion to illiteracy, and without distinction as to race or color. The House adopted a resolution declaring untrue the charges against Mr. Ellis, of Louisiana, in connection with the star route frauds. E. H. Funston was sworn in as the successor of the late D. 0. Haskell, of Kansas. Bills were passed to retire W. W. Averill with the rank and nay; of Colonel, and for |,he relief of the legal representatives of the late Capt. J. G. Todd, of Texas.' In the House of Representatives, March 32, favorable reports were made on bills to establish an assay office a t Deadwood and for the return of the remainder of the Chinese indemnity fund, and adversely to reduce llfettmo patents to five years. A resolution was adopted calling for information as to the lease of grounds in Yellowstone Park, and what provision was made for the presevation of fish and game. The Senate was not in session.