Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1884 — CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESS.

What Is Being Done by the National Legislature. A bill to suspend the coinage of the silver dollar, and providing that there- shall be no reissue of United States notes of a denomination less than $5, was introduced in the Senate on the 3d inst.. by Mr. McPherson, of New Jersey. The Mil proposes that silver certificates shall be Issued, redeemable on presentation at the Treasury. Mr. Vest's resolution calling for investigation into the leases of land made by Indians in Indian Territory was amended so as to include within the scope of the investigation the leases of lands in all Indian reservations. The resolution was then agreed to. Mr. Slater gave notice of his intention to take np the bill declaring forfeited the unearned lands granted m aid of the construction of the Oregon Central Railroad. The Honse, on motion of Mr. «obb, of Indiana, declined to accept the Senate's amendments to the House bul forfeiting the unearned land-grant of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company. The House went into committee of the whole on tfie bill making temporary provision for the naval service. Mr. Randall stated that the appropriation for the support of the navy for the current fiscal .Year was $15,636,160, a reduction off $256,268 on last year’s appropriation. The bill passed without . amendment. Consideration of tho Interstate commerce bill was resumed. Mr. Seymour, a member of the Commerce Committe, supported the bilL He thought Reagan’s substitute so strict as to interfere with the trade laws. Mr. Long, another member, favored the establishment of an Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr. Peters approved of the bill because it provided against the perpetration of wrongs by railroad companies by unreasonable freight charges. Mr. Mitchell introduced a bill in the Senate, oh the 4th inst., giving a pension of $5,000 a year to Gen. Grant. Mr. Cameron submitted a resolution, to lie over, to the effect that the Finance Committee be directed to inquire whether it shall be expedient to expend a portion of the surplus revenue for the purpose of reviving the shipping and export trade by allowing a rebate from tariff duties on foreign goods imported in ships built and owned in this country and by allowing a premium on American vessels. The interstate commerce bill was made the special order for Thursday, the 11th. The President sent the following recommendations to the Senate: Otis P. G. Clarke, of Rhode Island, Commissioner of Pensions: Luther Harrison, of Pennsylvania, Assistant Commissioner General of the Land Office. Commissioners for Alaska —John G. Brady, of Alabama, to reside at Sitka; George P. Ibric, of Pennsylvania, to reside at Wrangel; Chester Seeber, of California, to reside at Ounalaska. The Senate confirmed William P. Dunwoody, of lowa, member of the National Board of Health: Frank Hatton, of lowa, Postmaster General; John Schuyler Crosby, of New York, First Assistant Postmaster General. In the House, Mr. Morrison introduced a bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury in purchasing bonds of the United States to pay out any money in the Treasury in excess of $100,000,000. Mr. Dunham introduced a bill tp admit, free of duty, articles for the World's Exposition to be held by the colored race in Chicago in 1885. Mr. J. D. Taylor of Ohio offered a bill prohibiting the removal of any honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine, or any widow or dependent relative of the same, from any office in the civil service, except for specific causes. The Honse then resumed consideration of the interstate commerce bill. Mr. Anderson supported the substitute offered by Mr. Reagan, though he did not think its provisions quite strong enough to secure the people against railroad extortion. Mr. Bhively approved of the Reagan substitute, but doubted the propriety of intrusting to such a commission as was proposed such unlimited powers. ' Several bills were introduced to repeal the laws authorizing the appointment of supervisors and deputy marshals at elections. Both houses adjourned to Monday, the Bth inst.