Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1884 — CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS.

What Is Being Done toy the National Legislature. A bill to suspend the coinage of the silver dollar, and providing that there shall be no reissue of United States notes of a denomination less than $5, was introduced in the Senate on the 3d inst.. by Mr. McPherson, of New Jersey. The bill propose* that silver certificates shall be issued, redeemable on present?tion at the Treasury. Mr. Vest's resolution caUing for investigation into the leases of land made by Indians in Indian Territory was amended so as to include within the scope of the investigation the leases of lands in all Indian reservations. The resolution wa- then agreed to. Mr. SlaterStave notice of his intention to take up the bill declaring forfeited the unearned lands granted in aid of the construction of the Oregon Central Railroad. The House, on motion of Mr. Cobb, of Indiana, declined to accept the Senate’s amendments to the House bill forfeiting the unearned land-grant of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company. The House went into committee of the whole on the bill making temporary provision for the naval service. Mr. Randall stated that the appropriation for the support of the navy for the current fiscal year was $15,636,160, a reduction of $258,268 on last year’s appropriation. The bill passed without amendment. Consideration of the interstate commerce bill was resumed. Mr. Seymour, a member of the Cofhmerce Committe, supported the bill. He thought Reagan’s substitute so strict as to interfere with the trade laws. Mr. Longa another member, favored the establishment o an Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr. Peters approved of the bill because it provided asrainst the perpetration of wrongs by railroad companies by unreasonable freight charges. Mb. Mitchell a bill In the Senate, on the 4th Inst., giving a pension of $5,000 a year to Gen. Grant. Mr. Cameron submitted a resolution, to lie over, to the effect that the Finance Committee be directed to inquire whether it shall be expedient to expend a portion of the surplus revenue for the purpose of reviving the shipping and export trade by allowing a rebate from tariff duties on foreign goods imported in ships built and owned in this country and by allowing a premium on American vessels. The interstate commerce bill was made • the special order for Thursday, the Uth. The President sent the following recommendations to the Senate: Otis P. G. Clarke, of Rhode Island, Commissioner of Pensions: Luther Harrison, of Pennsylvania, Assistant Commissioner General of the Land Office. Commissioners for Alaska—John G. Brady, of Alabama, to reside at Sitka; George P. Ihric, of Pennsylvania, to reside at Wrangel; Chester Seeber, of California, to reside at Ounalaska. The Senate confirmed William P. Dunwoody, of lowa, member of the National Board of Health; Frank Hatton, of lowa, Postmaster General; John Schuyler Crosby, of New York, First Assistant Postmaster General. In the House, Mr. Morrison introduced a bill direct-* ing tne Secretary of the Treasury in purchasing bonds of the United States to pay ont any money in the Treasury in excess of $100,000,000. Mr. Dunham introduced a bill to admit, free of duty, articles for the World’s Exposition to be held by the colored race in -Chicago in 1885. Mr. J. D. Taylor of Ohio offered a bill prohibit-, ing the removal of any honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine, or any widow, or dependent relative of the same, from any office in the civil service, except for specific causes. The House then resnmed consideration of the interstate commerce bill. Mr. Anderson supported the substitute offered by Mr. Reagan, though he did not think its pro-* visions quite strong enough to secure the people against railroad extortion. Mr. Shively approved of the Reagan substitute, but doubted the propriety of intrusting to such a commission as was proposed such unlimited powers. Several bills were introduced to repeal the laws authorizing the appointment of supervisors and deputy marshals at elections. Both houses adjourned to Monday, the Bth inst. ,