Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1885 — NATIONAL LAW-MAKERS. [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL LAW-MAKERS.

togsofCongma Br vigilant work in Its last bans, Congress succeeded tat clearing np the week before It te the extent of avoiding the neeesrfty of anextra session. The river and harbor bill was the only one of the appropriation series which failed, the Senate tabling it. Just before adjeu> nment on the 4th, by a vote of 28 to 20. Almost the very last act of Congress was the passage of the bill for the retirement of Gen. Grant. When Senator Bdmnnde affixed his signature to the bill, it being abont noon, the assistant doorkeeper turned back Os hands of the clock. Only a few minutes were consumed by President Arthur in nominating B. S. Grant to be General on the retired list, and the Senate confirmed the nomination amid an outburst of appltfuse. Extra Session of tbe Senate. President Cleveland sent to the Senate, on the fith Inßt, the' names of the geatlemen be has selected as Cabinet officers. They are aa follows : Secretary of State, Thomae F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretory of War. William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster General, William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin; Attorney General, A. H. Garland, of Arkansas. On!motion of Senator Sherman, the Senate went into executive session. There is a time-honored custom in the Senate of confirming ail appointments without reference or discussion where the person appointed is, or has been, a member of the Senate. This role wotrld not be violated by any Senator who had any sdr-p spect, except for grave reasons. A confirmation can not be made at once, if a single objection is raised. There was an objection promptly made to Senator Bayard, by Senator Riddlcberser. Neither of the Readjuster Senators finds much, if any, friendly recognition, upon the Republican side. The majority of the Democratic Senators will not even speak to them, if they can avoid it, so much do they dislike them. Kiddleberger made his objection in a ringing, defiant voice, and with a swagger of manner. that called for no reply. Senator Allison turned to expostulate with Kiddleberger, but Senator Van Wyok caught him by the arm. Senators Mandersou Palmer, Ingalls, and other Republicans came up to the Virginian, and begged hhn in low tones to res> ect the courtesy of the Senate and withdraw his objection. He stubbornly refused, and then began to give his reasons. He regarded Bayard as too much of an Englishman. His recent resolution denouncing the dynamite outrages in London was enough to unfit him for the post of Secretary of State. Ho then repeated paragraphs from his former harangues against the original resolution of Mr. Bayard. No one ventured to answer any of his remarks. Mr. Van Wyck introduced tbe following resolution in the Senate, on the 6th insti, for vyhieh he asked immediate consideration, but Mr. Edmunds objecting, it went over for a day; “ lte <oived. That the Secret*, y of the Interior be directed to inform the Senate whether patents have been issued for lands granted in 1871 to the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicksburg, popularly known as the * Backbone’ Railroad. If so, for what number of acres; to what corporation of individuals; whose receipt was taken for it when signed; whether unusual means were used to hasten the preparation and execution of said patents; whether the clerical force employed worked nights and' on Sundays, so they might be completed before the 4th of March; what day they were ready for tbe signature of the President; wbat necessity existed for any special exevtion to secure their completion and signature before the 4i-h of March, arid whether anything was done to protect a tual settlers in their right s to any such lands; also, whether previous to the 4th of M rch anything was done or written in regard to any other unearned land grants, the forfeiture of which had been considered by the Forty-eighth Congress.” The Senate then went into executive session, and all the Cabinet nominations were confirmed without debate or division, and by the unanimous vote of the Senate.