Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1886 — CONGRESSIONAL. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL.

The Work of the Senate and Hous® of Representatives. The Senate, in discussing the interstate commerce bill, on the 11th inst., tabled an amend- • ment to fine and imprison men who conspire to interfere with the running of trains. The President nominated Clarence E. Greathouse, of California, to be Consul General at Kanagawa. The Mor.se of Representatives passed a bill for the appointment of three cominisioners, to settle Spanish and Mexican land claims in the State of Colorado and the Territories of New Mexico and Arizona. They are to receive salaries of $5,000each, and to serve for four years. While the army appropriation bill was under consideration, Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, made charges against Edwin M. Stanton, Mr. Lincoln’s Secretary of War, which precipitated a violent partisan debate, Messrs. Hepburn, of lowa, and Hiscock, of New York, coming to the defense of ' the dead War Secretary. Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, submitted in the Senate, on tne 12th inst., a concurrent resolution expressing it to be the sense of Congress that negotiations should be entered into between the United States and Chinese Governments with a view to securing such modifica--tions of the present treaty with China as may result in stooping the coming of Chinese to this country, except in the case of diplomats and their servants, and except also in the case of persons at sea to seek a place of shelter. The Senate, by a vote of 47 to 4,. passed the interstate commerce bill, which provides for a commission of five persons, with a. principal office at Washington, to inquire into the business and management of all common carriers. The House of Representatives passed the army appropriation bill, after voting down an amendment to Increase by SIOO,OOO the item for the Springfield armory. A bill extending the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims over claims for the use of patents and patented inventions against the United St ites v. as reported to the House. The Houso considered the diplomatic appropriation bill without d : posing of it The general pension bill was discussed by the Senate on the 13th inst. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to the bilL providing for the sale of the old bridewell lot in Chicago. The following nominations were confinned : Collectors Seeberger of Chicago, Se ipp of Milwaukee, Cadwallader of Philadelphia; Marshal W. M. Campbell of Minnesota; H. F. Merritt, Consul at Aix-la-Chapelle; L. T. Boyd, Receiver of Public Moneys at Bayfield, Wis.; and J. B. Webb, Register of the Land Office at LaCrosse, Wis. The House of Representatives passed the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill, with an item of $150,000 for contingent expenses at consulates. The House discussed without action the bill to enlarge the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture. Messrs. McCreary (Ky.) and Weaver (Iowa) supported the measure. Mr. Reagan (Texas) opposed it on constitutional grounds, and said he would offer as a substitutehis bill to create a Department of Industries. A petition from citizens of lowa, praying torthe abolition of the American House of Lords,, was presented in the Senate on the 14th inst. A bill was passed to authorize the Kansas City and Gulf Road to lay its tracks through Indian Territory. Bills were also passed for public buildings at Lafayett?, Indiana, Fort Dodge, lowa, and St. Paul, besides largely extending the limit of previous appropriations for other points. Henry F. Severns, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was nominated by the President as successor to the late S. L. Wlthey as United Spates Judge for the Western District of Michigan. D. C. Fulton was nominated United States Marshal for the Western District of Wisconsin. The business (?) of the House was confined to debate on the pension bill, which merged, itself into a tariff talk before adjournnvut was reached. After a spirited debate, the House of Representatives, on the 15th inst., passed a bill toestablish a sub-treasury at Louisville. Mr. Morrison caused to be read a letter from the Treasurer of the United States, expressing the opinion that the functions of the sub-treasuries at St. Louis, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Chicago might be performed by national banks with greater economy and much less risk than under the present system. The Senate was not in session.