Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1890 — DOINGS OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

IMPORTANT MEASURES CONSIDERED AND ACTED UPON. At the Nation’s Capitol—What Is Being Done by the Senate and House Old Matters Disposed Of and Nevr Ones Considered. Among the petitions presented in the Seriate on the loth inst. and referred was one by Mr. Dawes, from the Boston Executive Business Association, for the privilege of purchasing ships abroad for ten years. The Montana election case was taken up and Mr. Morgan and Mr. Daniel addressed the Senate. After Mr. Morgan had concluded the Senate adjourned. In the House after the reading of the journal Mr. Boutelle, of Maine, called up tjie naval appropriation bill, the pending question being upon the amendment adopted in committee of the whole, striking out the clause providing for the construction of three coast-line battle-ships. The action of the committee was rejected—yeas, 101 nays, 132. Mr. Holman, of Indiana, moved to recommit the bill, with instructions to the Committee on Naval Affairs to report it back with an amendment providing for one battlesh/p. Lost. Yeas, 103; nays, I*3. The bill was then passed. The House spent the afternoon in consideration of tho bill to establish Appellate Courts in the various circuits over which Circuit Judges now preside and passed the bill before adjournment. The bill met with much opposition from the Democratic side, hut was passed without amendments. It provides that the President shall appoint, with tne advice and consent of the Senate, two additional Judges in each circuit to sit with kite present Ci: cult Judges and consider cases appealed from district and State courts. These courts are to have exclusive and final jurisdiction in all cases except those involving constitutional questions or questions arising under the laws of the United Slates, or cases where two judges shall certify to the Supremo Court that tne case involvesquestions of such difficulty or importance as to require a decision by the Supreme Court. The terms of these courts are to be held annually in the various circuits, the cities selected btiug as follows : Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Cnicago, St. Louis, and San Francisco, and such other places in each of the circuits as the Supreme Court may designate. This bill, it is believed, will greatly relieve the Supreme Court, which is no»v over three years behind in its work. In the Senate, on the lGth inst... bills werepassed authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River at some accessible point between the mouth of the Illinois and the mouth of the Missouri 'River, and the House bill granting to the Palouse and Spokane Railway a right of way through the Nez Perces Indian Reservation in Idaho. The Senato took up Senator Hale’s Chinese census bill. After a lengthy discussion with reference to amendments, on motion of Senator Stewart tho bill was laid upon the table. The Senate then took up and discussed calendar business until 5 o’clock, the hour at , whicliit. was agreed a final vote upon the Montana election case should be taken. Senator Butler introduced a resolution that the majority and minority reports be both recommitted to the Committee on Privileges and Elections. The resolution was defeated by a vote of 38 to 19, Senators George. Barbour, Kenna, Gibson and Walthall votbig with the Republicans. The vote was then taken upon the resolution declaring Messrs. Power and Sanders duly- elected members of the United States Senate, the result being a .strict party vote, 32 to 26 in its favor, and at 5:40 p. m. Senator Power, escorted by Senator Washburn, and Senator Sanders, escort* d by Senator Hoar, were duly sworn in by the Vice President. After an executive session of about ten minutes the Senate adjourned. In the House, Mr. McKinley (Ohio), from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported the tariff bill, and it was ordered printed and referred to the committee of the whole. Mr. Carlisle (Ky.) presented the views of the minority, and Mr. McKenna (Cab) presented his individual views. Ordered printed. The Honse then went into committee of the whole, Mr. Payson (Ill.) in the chair, on the military academy appropriation bill. After a short time occupied in Its consideration the committee rose and the bill was passed. Mr. Bergen (N. J.), from the Committeo cn Elections, called up the contested-election case of Posey vs. Parrett, from the First Indiana District. The committee reported unanimously in favor of the sitting member and the report was adopted. Mr. Rowell (Ill.) called the ccntestedelection case of Rowen vs. Buchanan, from the Ninth District of Virginia. The resolution, which confirms the right of the sitting member, was adopted. The Bouse then adjourned. In the Senate, on the 17th Inst., Messrs. Sanders and Powers, the Montana Senators, drew lots to decide upon their terms of office. Senator Sanders drew the short term, which expires March 3,1893, and Senator Powers the longterm, which expires March 3,1895. The Senate spent most of the day in discussing the bill for the appointment of thirty additional medical examiners for the Pension Bureau, and adjourned without action. Bills making appropriations for public buildings were take a from the Senate calendar and passed as follows : Mansfield, Ohio SIOO,000; Hot Springs (reservation), Ark., SSO,tX)O (Senate bill); Mankato, Minn., $150,000 (Senate bill) ; Dallas, Texas (additional), $200,100 (House bill): Kansas City, Kan., $200,000 (Senate bill). Also a -\nate bill appropriating $200,000 for the improvement of the military reservation known as Fort Walla Walla, in the State of Washington. Also a House Bill for the appointment and retirement of John C. Fremont as Major General In the United States army. After the reading of the House journal, Mr. Butterworth, of Ohio, arose and said that it was seemly and proper and a just tribute of respect to the memory of the distinguished man whose funeral took place that day that the House adjourn. A motion to that effect was immediately adopted. In the Senate, on the 18th inst., after an executive session, Senator Hawley called up the World’s Fair bill, consideration of which was fixed for the following Monday. A bill was rushed through prior to adjournment providing for terms and places of holding United States District Courts in Minnesota. During the executive session the Senate concluded the investigation instituted for the purpose of finding out how newspaper correspondents managed to obtain their information about the proceedings of executive sessions. The investigation was a total failure, and correspondents who have been technically held as witnesses have been discharged. In the House, after routine business, the Southern war-claims bill was taken up, and its consideration occupied the entire after- ■ noon. When the session closed the bill had. been left in the hands of the committee of the whole as unfinished business on Friday, 25th—private bill day. The House Committee on Postoffice reported the bill authorizing the construction of postoffice buildings in all cities where the net receipts of postoffice are $3,000 per year and county seats where they are $2,500 per year. The bill appropriates $2,000,000 for beginning this work, but it is estimated that co carry out tho programme will cost $30,000,000..