Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1888 — THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS.

In the Senate, on the 28th, the resolution offered by Senator Hoar to continue the investigation of certain events alleged to have taken place in Texas (in the petition ol Stephen Hackworth and others) was agreed to. Senator Paddock addressed the Senate on the subject of inefficient postal service in the western States. He denounced the management oi the Postoffice Department for the last three years as a failure—probably a more conspicuous failure than any of the other shortcomings of the present administration. The bill for the purchase of asite and the erection of a government building in New Orleans, to cost *1,20-0,030 was passed. The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill granting pensions to ex-soldiers and sailors who are incapacitated from the performance of manual labor, and providing for pensions to dependent relatives of deceased soldiers and sailors, the question being on Senator Call’s amendment, making the bill apply also to those who served in the war of Mexico (for thirty days), or in any of the Indian wars. A lengthy debate ensued relative to the action the President would take, and some emphatic expressions were made as to the indifference of the Senate of the President’s opinion. The G. A. R. was characterized as a political organization by Blackburn. The House passed bills for the erection of public buildings as follows: Omaha, Neb., *400,00); Bar Harber, Mj., *2),000; an appraiser’s building at New York, *1..'.00,C00; an interstate building at Texarkana, *100,600; for the purchase of additional ground at Indianapolis, *125,000, Bay City, Mich., *150,000; Milwaukee, Wis., *400.00).

In the Senate, on the 29th, Mr. Mitchell offered a resolution, which was agreed to, instructing the committee of public lands to inquire into the advisability of making a national park of Mt. Hood, Ore., and several surroundingtownships. The bill to establish a national art commission was taken from tbe calendar and passed with little discussion. The bill to provide for the compulrory education of Indian children was taken from the calendar and discussed. The House amendments to’he bills for public buildings in Milwaukee and Omaha were" noa-eoncurred in and a committee of conference asked for. The Senate then resumed consideration of the bill granting pensions to exsoldiers and sailors who are incapacitated for the performance of labor, and providing for pensions to dependent relatives of deceased soldiers and sailors. Wilson, of lowa, moved an amendment to Insert the words "from the Infirmities of age.” so as to pjnsion all ex-sol-diers suffering "from the infirmities of age or mental or physical disability.” Then fallowed a lengthy and warm debite on the bill, but the Senate proceeded to executive business without takings vote on the bill or pending amendment.. The House passed bills as follows: Authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to> purchase bonds with the surplus revenue; relating to postal crimes, dividing the State of Minnesota into two collection dinricts, making St. Paul a port of entry and St. Vincent a sub-port. The House then preceded to the special order, being the delivery of eulogies on tbe late Seth C. Moffatt, of Michigan, and appropriate speeches were made by Messrs. Cuteheon, Ford, Oates, O’Donnell, Whiting. Cannon, Hayes, Allen, Wade, Osborne; Chipman, Gillinger and Conger. The Senate, on the Ist of March, continued the debate and controversy on the pension bill and amendment of yesterday, but adjourned until Monday without a vote on either. The House, after some delate, passed a resolur tion to accept the invitation of France to participate in the international exhibition in Paris in 1&9, and appropriated $25,000 to pay for the promulgating to tbe French people at that time a few tracts on how the American hog is raised, dressed and shipped. After other minor matters were discussed the House adjourned. In the House, on the 2d, McKinley secured unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a memorial signed by tbe glass-blowers, protesting againsta redaction of duty on imported window glass, as propose! by the Mills tariff bill. The lemainder of the time was occupied in the consideration of the “omnibus” bill, which provides for the payment of thirty odd claims for supplies used for the army during the war, reported by the Court of Claims under tbe provisions of the Bowman act No action. A night session was held for the con dderation of private pension bills. In the Senate, on the sth, a bill was reported favorably to regulate the Inter-State commerce carried on by telegraph co mpanies. Several petitions and memorials were predated. The urgency deficiency appropriation bill was taken up and several amendments adopted. In the House, White of In liana, introduced a resMutiou calling for a committee of five to inyestiga'e the C., B. <1 Q. strike. A bill was introduced to declare trusts unlawful. Several other bills were Introduced. Tne McDuffie-Davidson (Ala.)contested election case was discussed. A bill wss passed authoriz ng the city of Chicago to erect a c lb in Lake Michigan for water works purposes. __