Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1885 — NATIONAL LAW-MAKERS. [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL LAW-MAKERS.

Brief Summary «f the Proceedlags Congress. By vigilant work in its last hours, Congress succeeded in clearing up the work before it to the extent of avoiding the necessity of an extra session. The river and harbor bill was the only one of the appropriation series which failed, the Senate tabling it, just before adjournment on the 4th, by a vote of 28 to 20. Almost the very last act of Congress was the passage of the bill for the retirement of Gen. Grant. When Senator Edmunds affixed his signature to the bill, it being about noon, the assistant doorkeeper turned back the hands of the clock. Only a few minutes were consumed, by President Arthur in nominating U. 8. Grant, to be General on the retired list, and the Senate confirmed the nomination amid an outburst of applause.

Extra Session of the Senate. President Cleveland sent to the Senate, on the sth inst, the names of the gentlemen he has. selected as Cabinet officers. They are as follows: Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel JJarining, 2? New York; Secretary of War. William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of NewYork; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster General.. William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin; Attorney General, A H. Garland, of Arkansas. On;motion ot Senator Sherman, the Senate went into executive session. There is a time-honored custom in the Senate of confirming all appointments without reference or discussion where the person appointed is. or has been, a member of the Senate. This rule would not be violated by any Senator who had any self-respect, except for grave reasons. A confirmation can not be made at once, if a single objection is raised. There was an objection promptly made to Senator Bayard, by Senator Riddleberger. Neither of the Readjuster Senators finds much, if any, friendly recognition, upon the Republican side. The majority of the Democratic Senators will not even speak to them, if they can avoid it, so much do they dislike them. Itiddleberger made his objection in a ringing, defiant voice, and with a swagger of manner that called for no. reply. Senator Allison turned to expostulate with Riddleberger, but Senator Van Wycks caught him by the arm. Senators Manderson Palmer, Ingalls, and other Republicans came up to the Virginian, and begged him in low tones to respect the courtesy of the Senate and withdraw his objection. He stubbornly refused, and then began to give his reasons. He regarded Bayard as too much of an Englishman. His recent resolution denouncing the dynamite outrages in London was enough to unfit him for the post of Secretary of State. He then repeated paragraphs from his former harangues against the original resolution of Mr. Bayard. No one ventured to answer any of hie remarks. Mr. Van Wyck introduced the rollowing resolution in the Senate, on the 6th inst, for which he asked immediate consideration, but Mr. Edmunds objecting, it went over for a day: “ Uesolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be directed to inform the Senate whether patents have been issued for lands granted in 1871 to the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicksburg, popularly known as the Backbone* Railroad. If so, for what number of acres; to what corporation of individuals; whose receipt was taken for it when signed; whether unusual means were used to hasten the preparation and execution of said patents; whether the clerical force employed worked nights and on Sundays, so they might be completed before the4th of March; what day they were ready for the signature of the President; what necessity existed for any special exertion to secure their completion and signature before the 4th of March, and whether anything was done to protect actual settlers in their right to any such lands; also, whether previous to the 4th of March anything was done or written in regard to any other unearned land grants, the forfeiture of which had been considered by the Forty-eighth Congress.” The Senate then went into executive session, and all the Cabinet nominations were confirmed without debate or division, and by the unanimous vote of the Senate.