Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1885 — CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS.

What Is Being Done by tbe National Legislature. The Senate, by a vote of 43 to 12, passed an interstate commerce bill on the 4th Inst. Following is the vote in detail: Yeas —Aldrich, Allison, Blair, Cali, Cameron (Wis.). Chase, Conger, Cnllom, Dawes, Dolph, Edmonds, Frye, Groome, Hampton, Harris. Harrison, Hawley, HIU, Hoar. Ingalls. Jackson. Jonas, Jones (Fla.), Jones (Nev.), Lamar, Lapbam, McMillan, Manderson, Miller (CaL), Miller (N. Y-). Mitchell. Morrill, Pike, Platt, Plumb, Pugh, Mddleberger, Bawyer, Sewell, Sherman. Slater. Vest, Wilson--43. Nays—Bayard, Butler, Cockrell, Coke, Colquitt, McPherson, Maxey, M rgan, Pendleton, Saulsbury, Vance, Van Wyck -12. The bill provides for a commission to be composed of nine members, one from each judicial circuit of the United States. These Commissioners are to have jurisdiction over the operations of all interstate transportation companies. They are authorized to require such companies to furnish annual reports, giving full information as to their financial condition, etc. During the first year the commission is required to investigate and report upon the subjects of maximum and minimum charges, pooling, watering stocks, and unjust discrimination. The bill exgressly forbids extortion or discrimination y transportation companies. In the House of Representatives a bill was reported by the Committee on Postoffices and Pos-t Roads reducing the postage on second-class mail matter to 1 cent per pound or fraction thereof. A new rule of the House, which was designed to permit tbe less influential members to call up bills for acton, was found to began implement by which Messrs. Randall, Holman and Warner defeated the consideration of everything which came up. Resolutions calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for information as to the accounts of the Union Pacific Road, and directing the Judiciary Committee to report necessary legislation as to courts-martial, were passed by the Senate on the 6th inat. Mr. Sherman introduced a bill for the striking of medals to commemorate the completion of the W a shine ton Monument, ten thousand of them to be sold to the public at cost. A bill was passed authorizing the bridging of the Mississippi River at Memphis. President Arthur, in announcing to the House of Representatives the offer by the Japanese Government of a valuable piece of land in Tokio ion legation purposes, recommended its acceptance with a suitable expression of thanks. A resolution was adopted by the House requesting the President to furnish copies of all communications respecting the Congo conference. Bills were passed appropriating 160,1 oo for a public building at Tyler, Texas, and $26,000 to purchase additional ground for the Court House at Springfield, 111., Republican Senators held a caucus in the evening to determine the order of business. The caucus split upon the rock of the land grant forfeiture bills, and Senators Wilson and Van Wyck warned the members that the party might split upon the same rock unless some action was taken to defend the Government against the land robbers. A resolution asking tho Secretary of War whether any plans have been matured for defending the harbors of this country by torpedoes in case of war with any foreign power was introduced in the Senate on the 6th inst. The diplomatic appropriation bill was passed. Mr. Palmer, of Michigan, was given leave to deliver a speech on woman suffrage. The President sent in the following nominations: James A. McKnight, Utah, Consul of the United States at St. Helena; Edward H. Thompson of Massachusetts, Consul of the- United States at Merida. Postmasters: Arthur Merscheidt, La Grange, Tex.; Charles V. Rockwell. Taylorsville, 111.; Newton W. Simmons, Boone, Iowa; Arthur S. Barber, Alameda. Cal. In the House of Representatives the Naval Committee reported adversely the joint resolution tendering the thanks of Congress to Commanders Schley and Coffin and Lieut. Emory of the Greely relief expedition. -The House then went into committee of the whole on the river and harbor bill. It was agreed that nothing be done for Sandy Bay, Massachusetts. The appropriation for the harbor of Buffalo was increased to $190,000 An amendment to set aside $15,000,000 for the improvement of Sandy Hook channel was defeated. Mr. Young asked for $75,000 for the harbor of Memphis, and engaged in an angry discussion with Mr. Willis, who stated that the committee had decided to make no special appropriation for the Mississippi River. A bill granting a pension of $2,000 a year to the widow of the late Gen. George H. Thomas passed the Senate on the 7th inst. The Senate also agreed to a joint resolution accepting with thanks the swords, medals, paintings, and other articles of value and interest presented to Gen. Grant by the various Governments of the world. The bill authorizing a retired list for private ? and non-commissioned officers of the army who have served thirty years or more was passed by a vote of 37 to 6. Messrs. Hoar and Pendleton were named by the Cha'r to count the electoral vote Wednesday. The District of Columbia appropriation bill was passed. Discussion of the river and harbor bill occupied the greater part of the uriy in the House of Representatives. No action was taken.