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

WASHINGTON.

After listening to an argument from Mr. A. M. Powell, president of the National Temperance Society,the Senate committee on education Friday, by a unanimous vote, instructed Senator Wilson, of lowa, to report favorably the bill providing for the appointment of a commission of five persons, all of whom shall not be advocates of total abstinence, to investigate the alcoholic liquor traffic, its relations to revenue and taxation, and its general, economic, criminal, moral and scientific aspects in connection with pauperism, crime, social vice, the public health and general welfare of the people; and also to inquire and ta*e testimony as to the practical results of license and prohibitory legislation for the prevention of intemperance in the several States of the Union. General Berdan had a hearing before the committee on invalid pensions Friday, in advocacy of a series of pension bills prepared by him, and designed to cover all the persons included in the dependent pension bill of last year. He says that his bills have the approval of General Sheridan, and that they meet the objections made to the dependent pension bill by the President. Senator Riddleberger, who has been drunk for several weeks, made another exhibition in the Senate Chamber, Wednesday, that citne near resulting in his arrest. If it is repeated he •will be removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Department of Agriculture report, for February shows a large increase in horses, mules and cattle and a decrease in sheep and swine. The aggregate value of farm animals is $8,000,000 more than in 1887. In the House, Wednesday, Mr. Holman presented a petition from the Indianapolis Board of Trade asking for the passage of a bill appropriating $20,000 for the erection of a monument to William Henry Harrison. The Senate, in secret session Thursday afternoon, postponed further consideration of the British extradition treaty until next December.