Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1888 — THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS.

The Senate, on theßth, adopted a resolution calling for information relative to tbe organization of the dominion of Canada. The bill appropriating <11,200,000 for the erection of a public building at Kansas City was passed. The bill for the relief of importers of animals for breeding purposes in certain cases was passed. It directs the Secretary of tbe Treasury to omit all duties upon importation of animals for breeding purposes, whether imported for the importer’s own use or for sale, and provides that the fact ot such importation shall be a sufficit nt defense in any impending action. The bill to enable the State of Colorado to select indemnity school lands was passed, as was, also, the bill to authorize the Choctaw coal and iron company to construct and operate a railroad through the Indian Territory. In executive session Riddleberger became obstreperous and was suppressed by the Sergeant at Arms. The House passed the bill making bills of lading conclusive evidence in certain cases. Tiilthan, Stone, Chapman, Anderson and Parker were appointed a committee on the existing labor troubles in Pennsylvania. In the Senate, on the 9th. a resolution for the disposition of undistributed public documents called forth from Vest an arraignment of the policy of printing everything in the manner in vogue by tbe government. The;resolution was adopted. Riddleberger's resolution for amending the rules so as to allow the British extradition treaty to be considered in open session was reached in regular order. Riddleberger explained that the British liou’s tail had been twisted by a vote of 23.t0 21, the passage of the resolution was no longer necessary. Hawley and others called the Virginian to order, and he sat down, remarking as he did so that he supposed he h..d a right to say so much, and that he did not like to be called to order every time he rose. Riddleberger’s allusion was to a vote in secret session last night, by which consideration of the treaty was postponed to next December. The resolution oftered by Mr. Plumb, calling on the Secretary of War for information as to why adequate care is not taken of the military cemetery at Mound City, Kan., was adopted, as was also a resolution offered by Mr. Plumb. eMllnfdn ftfr'SecSetary of the interior for information as to charges made by registers and receivers of land officers for reducing test!mony to writ ing, A joint resolution providing for the erection of a statue to the late Spencer F. Baird, appropriating 115,003, was passed. An unimportant bill was passed, and a discussion on public buildings occupied the remainder of the day. Adjourned until Monday.

fei The House passed a Senate bill to relinquish thi interests of the United States on certain lands in Oaage, County, Kansas. Also, a bill to discontinue the coinage of the three cent piece. Also, a bill to promote agriculture. It provides that such portions ot tbe consular reports as refer to agricultural matters shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture for embodiment in his reports. Alto, a bill amending the laws regulating fees for exemplifications of land patents. A bill requiring subsidized railroads to maintain and operate separate telegraph lines, created extended discussion, but without action on its passage. The bill is called forth by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, whose charters require this of them, but both have entered into contract with the Western Union Telegraph Company instead. In tbe House, on the 10th, the Senate bill granting right of way to the Choctaw coal and iron company for a railroad through the Indian Territory was passed. The resolution dirt cling the Postmaster general to inquire into and report the cause and foundation for the grievances complained of in a Kansas newspaper regarding the Western mail service, and also to inform the House whether the almost universal complaint prevailin’ in tbe West against the present unsatisfactory mail service results from the employment of inexperienced and incapable or insufficient appropriations. Was adopted. After considering private bills the House adjourned until Monday. In the Senate, on tbe 13th, Mr. Riddleberger’s fight against secret sessions in general and against the British extradition treaty in particular was recognized in the shape of a large and very handsome floral harp placed on his desk by tbe Irish society calh d the Clan-na-Gael. The resolution in regard to the inefficiency in the postal department was taken up and Reagan defended the administration. The following bills were passed: Appropriating StOO.oOCO for the construction of a public buildiug at Portland,, Orc.; relating to lands ip Colorado, lately occupied by ihe Uncompahgre and White-river Ute Indians ;-for the relief of A. B Norton, postmaster Dallas, Tex. Voorhees defended the action of the committee relative to the .erection of the library building In reply to recent remarks by Plumb, cbargtng extravagance and incompetency. In the Honse, thebill punishing the advertising of lottery ticket in the District of Columbia w«b referred to the judiciary committee, after debate, by ayes 117, nays 115. A bill was passed to prohibit any person in Washington or Georgetown from making books or pools un the result of any races or any game of base ball. A resolution, was adopted calling upon the Treasury Depart meet for information relative to the refusal of the Canadian authorities to allow American vessels when in distress to enter Canadian canals or waters.