Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1883 — XLVIITH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

XLVIITH CONGRESS.

Upon the reassembling of the Senate, after the holidays, on Dec. 27, debate recommenced on the Pendleton Civil Service bilL Mr. Beck Raid he would sooner see any son of his breaking stone on the roadside than seeking a department office. Mr. Hawley’s amendment to prohibit the solicitation of political contributions by one Government officer from another was rejected bv 18 to 27. A new section was adopted forbidding the retention in office of anv person habitually using liquor to excess. The bill then passed by 39 to 5. The noes were Messrs. Brown, of Georgia, Call, of Florida, Jonas, of Louisiana, McPheraon, of New Jersey, and Morfan, of Alabama The bill provides for a oard of three Commissioners to pass upon the qualifications of persons desirous of entering the public service. A chief examiner is also appointed to act with the board and travel around the country, arranging the preliminaries and conducting the examinations. Appointments are to be distributed pro rata among the States according to population. Political predilections are to be ignored in making selections, and those appointed must not he addicted to the ex-. cessive use of ardent spirilft. Neither Senators nor Representatives are allowed to recommend any one to the Ooard, exoept in the way of certifying “to the character, or residence of applicants. There was no quorum in the House, and an adjournment to Dec. 30 was voted. The Edmunds bill to prevent Government officers or employes collecting from or paying to each other money for political purposes was taken up by the Senate on the 28th ult Mr. Beck offered a substitute to prohibit Federal officers or employes from contributing money to any person tor political uses. The latter proposition was voted down, and the former was passed. The Senate, by a vote of 22 to 21, resolved to

- . ■ _' , - " take up the Htz John Porter ease, and consider it unfinished business from day to day until disposed of. All of those voting aye were Democrats, except Messrs. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, and Miller, of California. The feature of the Senate proceedings on the 29th ult was- the speech of Senator Logan in opposition to the bill for the relief of Gen. Fitz John Porter. He spoke for three hours, and incorporated in his address Gen. Grant’s article in the North American Review , and his (Logan’s) long reply thereto, published in the Chicago Tribune. On motion of Mr. Hoar, the bill to Srovide for the performance of the duties of tie office of President hi case of removal by death or resignation or inability of both the President and Tice President was then taken up and discussed. Bills were passed by the House, at its session on the 31st ult, to extend for one year the time for filing claims for horses or equipments officers or soldiers; to pay the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern railroad #6,570 for carrying mails, and to'appropriato #75,000 to reimburse the States of Oregon and California for expenses incurred in suppressing Indian hostilities; The Senate was not in session.