Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1896 — NATIONAL SOLONS. [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL SOLONS.

. *'y 3 ' r -■; • ... 1 REVIEW OF THEIR WORK AT - WASHINGTON. _ : . ; -1-... U... • -a—— Detailed Proceeding* of SfMte,jui4 House—Bills Passed or Introduced. in Either Branch—Questions of Moment to the Country at' Large. -fT The .Legislative Grind. The Senate Monday passed the bill appropriating $2,000,004) for a public builds "fffrift inoianapolls. H4-ncn'HSie was spent in-discussing the settlement between Gov- 1 *? eminent and the State of Arkansas. TheHouse took up the consideration of the- ‘ sundry civil appropriation bill and disposed of fifteen of the 100-pages beforeadjournment. Few amendments wero added to the bill.- The Senate resolution-, authorizing F. Green to exercise the du--ties and powers heretofore conferred upon the late Gen. Casey in relation to the , construction of the library of Congress was adopted. The Senate resolution authorizing ex-President Harrison to accept certain medals presented to him by tbeGovernments of Brazil and Spain Vrasalso adopted. The House spent Tttesdtiy consideringthe sundry civil bill and fair progress was made. Effort was made by some of the- • Southern representatives to strike out the appropriation of $50,000 for the pay of 'internal revenue Informers, but : t was unsuccessful. The expected debate oi* the resolution for a Senate inquiry in tore cent bond issues did not take place, as Mr. Pcffer gave notice that he would defer his motion. The postoffi.ee appropriation bill, carrying $93,000,000. was considered -in part, but not comi>Jeted. A sharp debate on mail subsidies arise, Mr.“ Vilas opposing An extension oLtho subsidy system, while Senators Perkins and White of California upheld them. Senator George's speech in opposition to Mr." Dupont’s claim to a Seat occupied most of the day and was not completed. Ocean mail subsidies brought on an animated discussion in the Senate Wednesday during the consideration of the postoffice appropriation bill, Mr. Vilas opposed subsidies, and pointed out many instances of :what he deciarod were excessive payments for mail service. Mr., Perkins of California energetically "tie—fended the subsidies for their encouragement to American shipping. The subsidy item was reserved for a separate vote.. The balance of the postoffiee appropriationbill was completed. Senator Call of Florida introduced in the Senate a joint resolution directing the sending of an adequatebarities and the violation of treaty obligations. The House continued cousidera-, tion of the sundry civ-il bill, i The House Thursday passed the sundry civil bill, and wasted a lot of time4n acrimonious debate of the question of appropriating public money for private or Sectarian institu-flons. The postoffiee appropriation bill served to bring out somesharp discussion in the Senate—on thepropriety of abolishing country postoffice*, and absorbing them as branches of city offices. The bill authorizing the light- # house board to proceed with the building of .the lighthouse at North Maniton island. Lake Michigan, was passed. The House bill granting the Atchison and Nebraska and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railways a right of way through the Bac and Fox and lowa Indian reservations in Kansas and Nebraska was passed. The Senate then went into executive session and soon after adjourned until Monday. Speaker Reed made an important ruling rh the House Friday which will have considerable bearing on. legislation in thefnture. He held that a majority of the members of the House who are living at the-time any question of a quorum comes* up shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The majority of theconstitutional membership, he holds, is not necessary to constitute a quorum. This is a reversal of the ruling made byMr. Reed in the Fifty-first Congress. A bilL to authorize the construction of a third bridge across Hnf Mississippi river at St. Louis was considered. The riyer "and harbor apprapriation'Tjnrwas finished by the House committee, which has been working on it most of the session. Thetotal amount carried by the bill is a few thousands less than $10,000,000, or about $1,000,000 below the bill of last Congress., There are also provisions for contract ■ works to the amount of $Ol ,'*oll,ooo. —