Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1892 — THE NATIONAL SOLONS. [ARTICLE]

THE NATIONAL SOLONS.

SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Our National Lawmakers and What TlieyAre Doing for the Good or the Cosin'ry— Various Measure* Proposed, Discussed*, and Acted Upon. Doings ot Congress. The Senate. »ihAi3tb. passed the following bills: for the betler control of and topromote the safety of national banks; authorizing the Secretary of War to cause an exploration and survey to be made of the interior of the Territory of Alaska: to es abiish lineal promotion throng! out the several 1 n of artillery, cavalry, and Infantry of the armv. For the examination and promotloa of enlisted, men of the army to. the grade of second lieutenant. To increase the pay of certain: non-comniissioaed officers of the army. Appropriating 860,00'1 h. r a public building at Grand Island, Neb To amend the railroad land forfeiture acts so as to permit actual settlers to purchase the lands within three years after lorfeiture. For the relief of purchasers of timber lands and stone lands under tho act of June 8. 1878. To provide for fixing the uniform standard of classification and grading of wheat, corn, oats 1 arley and rye. For the preservation and custody of tbe re :ords of the volunteer armies (creating a record and pension office in the War Department). It was World’s Fair day in the House, and no business was done. In the Senate the llth bills were passed as follows: Appropriating 575.0J0 for the foundation and pede-tal for a bronzes atuo of Christopher Columbus at Capitol ground'. Granting the Topeka Water and Electric Company the right ’o erect dams across the Kansas River in Shawnee County. Authorizing the Quincy Pontoon Bridge Companv to construct a pontoon bridge across the Mississippi at Quincy, 111. 'loauthtrize the Grand Rapids Water and Electric Power Company of Grand Rapids, Mich , to *construct a dam across the Grand River. Extending the privileaos <f the free delivery of malls to cities and towns with a population of not less than 5,000 and where the postofflee gross receipts for the previous year amounted to 55.000. More than two hours of the time of the House was consumed in determining whether Messrs. Stone of Kentucky, Flth’an of Washington, Joh'son of Onio, and Bowman could publish in the Record at the public, expense, and distribute under the Government frank Henry George’s book on “Protection and Free Trade.* Mr. Burrows’ attempt to have the Henry George matte.expunged prove! unsuccessful. The book has been published practically in full in the Congressional Rec. rJ. The remainder of tbe day was consume'! in the consideration of the naval appropriation bill The House had passed a bld to promote the safety of national banks. The bill reached the Senate the 15th. there was attached an amendment auth irlzlng the banks to extend their circulation to the full amount of the bonds deposited by them in the Treasury. When the bill was returned to the House and laid before that body no attempt was made to concur in the Senate amendments; but oh motion of Mr. Blahd the bill was referred back to the Committee on Banking and Currency to be divested of the objectionable amendment The bill for the relief of the heirs of H. H. Sibley (the inventor of the Sibley tent) again proved an obstacle to the transaction of business in the House, and the whole day was consumed in Its consideration. No quorum was present. In the Bouse, on the 18th, a bill to adjust the swamp land grants and to fix limitations for filing claims thereunder was defeated. The naval appropriation bill was then taken up. and consumed the balance of tbe session. In the Senate, the bill to facilitate the disposition of causes in the Court of Claims was then taken up as the unfinished business—the pending question teing the amen Iment offered by Mr. Daniel, requiring the two additional jud'.es provided for to be members of different political parties. Mr. Daniel modified ills amendment so as to make it read: “Both of whom shall not belong to the same political partv.” At the end of a long discussion Mr. Daniel’s amendment was rejected. and the bill was passed—yeas, 31; nays. 18. The House amendment to the Senate bill relating t > the exchange of tbe military post a' Little Rock, Ark., was concurred in. and the bill now goes to the President.