The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-19
CONGRESS SIGNAL
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 1S.-Bills were
introduced: By Mr.. Hereford, to recog-
nize and pay certain claims due by the
state of West Virginia to citizens thereof
for services rendered in suppressing the
late rebellion. and which are properly
chargeable to the United States.
BY Mr.. Eustis to authorize states to
impose a tonnage tax charge or duty on
vessels to maintain a quarantine.
Mr., Window, from the committee on
appropriations, reported with amendments
the house bill authorizing the secretary of
| the treasury to employ temporary clerks,
and making an appropriation for the same.
Also making an appropriation for detect
ing trespassiug on public lands, tor bring
ing into market public lands in certain
states, and for other purposes. Placed on
the calendar.
! Mr.. Spencer submitted an amendment
| to the consular and diplomatic appropria-
ton bill as follows; Provided, that before
any part of the appropriation provided for
in this act shall become available, the APP
pointments in the consular and diplomatic
service shall be so arranged as to be equally
distributed between the several states OF
the United States, Territories and Dis
trict of Columbia, according to population.
Referred.
Mr.. Allison called up the senate bill
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to
make certain negotiations with the Ute
Indians in the state of Colorado for the
consolidation of all the bands into one
agency, to be located on White river.
1 MIR. Edmunds inquired where Congress
received power to authorize any one to
make treaties except the President of the
United States.
4 Mr. Allison moved to amend the bill sc
as to authorize the President to make the
? negotiation instead of the Secretary of the
Interior and it was agreed to.
Mr.. Edmunds also opposed the clause Of
the bill directing a report of the proceed
, ings under it to be made to Congress fol
reconsideration and approval, aud moved K
amend so as to have the report made to the
senate alone.
!. Pending discussion the morning hoal
= expired aud the bill was laid aside.
Mr., Christiancy favored the bill reported
! by the judiciary committee and opposed
E that reported by the committee on rail
roads.
Pending discussion, Mr.. Sargent sub
;, mitted several amendments to the bill t.
6 organize life saving and coast guarC
. service, and it was ordered that they b.
: printed and lie on the table.
. AIR. Morgan then took the floor to speal
\ upon the Pacific railroad sinking fund bill
= the senate went into executive session an
when the doors were reopened, adjourned
q HOUSE.
q WASHINGTON, March lS.-Bills wer
n introduced:
/, By Mr., Vance pensioning soldiers VIII
o enlisted out of prison, aud for the pay
n ment of certain southern mail contractors
The bill provides that TO claims shall b
!. paid which have heretofore been paid b
a the confederate government.
J. BY Mr.. Morey, granting alternat
: sections of the land to the state of Mis
sissippi to aid in the construction of th
Ship Island, Ripley & Kentucky railroad
% By Mr.. Gibson, for the appointment {
~ a commission to ascertain on what terms
- treaty of commerce with Mexico can b
=, arranged.
: By Mr.. Monroe, relating to telegraph
), communication between the United State
a. and foreign countries.
By Mr.. Sampson, proposing an amend
:, ment to the constitution providing tn:
the president should be elected By g dire
~ vote of the people.
a By Mr.. Conger, repeating the law ar
propriatiDg $4,000 tor the payment
=. certain southern mail contractors.
= By Mr.. Cox, of New York, for Il
p erection of monument over the grave
Thomas Jefferson.
Mr, Mayham, from the District
Columbia committee, reported bill il
he vesting the District Commissioners wit
e. the powers of the late board of audit, f
i, the purpose of issuing certificates {
ir claims passed upon and allowed by sue
IN board, but for which no certificates iha,
of been prepared. 1t also provides that GU
< standing certificates issued by the board
be audit or which shall hereafter be issu,
by the commissioners, shall be CONVEX
an ibIe into 3.65 bonds. The bill was r
rs lerred to the committee of the whole, AT
be then the House resolved itself into sue
ul committee, Mr.. Stenger in the chair, f
til the purpose of considering this bill.
DIR. Eden opposed the bill. He son
all times heard about paying southern claim
er but he never had seen batch of claiu
Is. that be thought so little of as this mess
rotten claims which came up FROM Il
bt purlieus of the old Washington ring.
no After further discussion the committe
without action, rose.
I'd Adjourned.