Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1885 — CONGRESSIONAL. [ARTICLE]

CONGRESSIONAL.

The Work of the Senate and Hop* of Representatives. Thk proceedings in the Senate were dull and nnintereating on Jan. 21. Mr. Coke's speech on the. interstate commerce bHI and eulogies on the late Congressman Evina, ot Siinth Carolina, filled the entire time. In thy Abuse of R present*tives, Mr. Kelly reported a bill io allow drawrbacks on Imported articles used in manmacturing tobacco for export. While in committee of the wholeffm the Indiau appropriation bill, Mr. Bnrnes declared that Oklahoma is practieally in possession of cattle companies, to the exclusion of individual settlers. Tho agricultural appropriation bill was referred to the Houae. It appropriates $546,21)0. The statuq of Oklahoma lands was theohici subject for debate in the Senate. Jan. 22. Mr. Vest urged the passage of his resolution directing the Secretary of the Treasury to report oq what terms the Oreeksand Seminoles would surrender the remaiuing rights in the tract. Messrs. Daw-s, Vest. Harrison, and Maxeyheld that the law forbade the invasion of these lands by white men, and that the traothad never been surveyed • r sectiont/.ed. Mr. Plumb claimed that, without the consent of tbe Indians, the lands could be opened to settlement by the action of Congress and the President. Mr. Plumb's resolution, calling upon the President for his views of the present status of the Oklaho i.a lands, was agreed to. The House of Representatives agreed to the conference report on the bill to forfeit the Oregon Central land grant. In committee of the whole on tho Indian appropriation bill, an amendment to set aside $50,000 to relieve extraordinary cases of distress among —the tribes was ruled out. It was resolved to appropriate $25,000 for the erection ot an Imi an industrial school at banta Ei. A clause was adopted te open the Territorial courts to litigation bV Indians, as well as to subject them to ir al for grave criminal offenses. An amendment was adopted for the commencenfeut of negotiations witii three tribes for the f lining of the Oklahoma lauds to white settlers.

When Mr. Vest’s resolution for negotiations with three Indian tribes for the cession’ of the Oklahoma lands came np in the Senate fen Jan. 23, Mr. Plumb offered a substitute for a bargain with the red men for all lands above 160 acres to each head of a family, the‘ surplus to be used for actual settlers only. MrConger denounce i the system of robbing judians of their lands, "whether to accommodate Oklahoma boomers or pleuro-pneu-mono cattle from Texas." Mr. Ingalls replied that nothing could resist the march of the Anglo-Saxon race. The remaining 2G.000.000 acres ot arable land uutside of Government re ervations wonld inevitably be absorbed ..within five years. Both resolutions were referred- Thj President sent to the Senate $ the following nominations : .Henry -F. Huidekoper, Postmaster at Philadelphia; Stanford E. Chaille, Louisiana, member of the National Board of Health; Lucius H. Foote, of California, Minister Resident and Consul General of the United States, at Corea; Nelson A. Dunning, of Michigan, Consul of the United States at Auckland; Capt. Alinon F. Rockwell, Assistant Quartermaster, to be Major and Quartermaster; Andrew S. Draper, New York, Judge of the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims; John T. Hartranft, Collector of Customs District of Philadelphia; William S. Steele, of Pennsylvania, Coiner of the Mint in Philadelphia. In the House of Repressntatives the constitutional lawyers took an inning in the discnßsion of a resolution directing the Judiciary Committee to investigate and report whether in jts opinion the Senate, by originating, passing, and sending to the House for its action bills appropriating money, has thereby attempted to invade the constitutional prerogatives of the House, Friends of the educational bill were greatly relieved when the resolution was tabled by a majority of four votes, that measure being particularly specified in the preamble. Each bouse of Congress received a fine American flag made of silk, raised, spun, and Woven in America, and this achievement of American industry evoked some highly commendatory resolutions from Mr. Beok, freetrader, in the Senate, and Mr. Kelley, protectionist, in the House. Senator Edmcniis introduced a bill in the Senate, on Jan. 24, making it a felony to manufacture dynamite for use at home or abroad, and a few moments later the news reached tho Senate of the London explosion, which is noted as a singular coincidence. After the news Senator Bayard introduced a resolution expressing the indignation and .sorrow of -the country at the- cvept. The House went Into committee of tha whole on the agricultural appropriation bill There was no general debate, and the bill was road by paragraphs tor amendment. On motion of Mr. Dibble, an amendment was adopted appropriating s3,o<k) for the cultivation and distribution of fehe tea plant on the Government farm. The committee then rose, tho bill passed, and the House adjourned.