Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-03-27

rs ahs Tens Paci6c Railroads, ono -
troduced by Johnson IN December, and
the other by Dorsey on the 18th Of
December last with substitute, and to
recommend it's passage Placed on calen-
dar. He also reported back frop same
committee the senate bill authorizing
the Southern Pacific railroad to extend
its railroad from its present terminus
in Arizona, to a point on the Rio
Grande near Ell Paso, and aiding in
building the same, without amendment
and without recommendation. Placed
on calendar. The house Dill to
authorize granting All American
register to foreign built ship
for the purposes Of Woodruff's sci
entifc expedition around the world
passed to-day as it came from the
house. The senate then took up the
Pacific railway sinking fund bill and
discussed it during the rest of the ses-
sion.
TUESDAY, March 19.--House.
the house of representatives Mr..
Harrison, chairman If the COM
mittee on civil service reform, submit
ted a majority report on the charges
against Door-keeper Polk. Itdeclares
Polk to be unfit for the responsibilities
of the position and recommended the
adoption of a resolution declaring the
Office of.door-keeper vacant, and de-
volving its duties on the sergeantat-
arms until the appointment Of a
new doorkeeper. The minority re-
port, signed by Messrs. Cook
Cravens, Garth and Henry, declares
that no corruption having been proven
against Col. Polk, it would be grievous
wrong to adopt the majority resolution.
The reports were ordered printed and
recommitted, and Harrison gave notice
he would not call the raotion up before
Saturday. The following bills were in
troduced and referred: for better protec-
ton of plays and dramatic literature. 1t
provides that the copy right law shall
cover ali plays purchased from a
foreign author for the purpose of play
ing or publishing in the United States;
to authorize the coinage Of gold
and silver on the same terms
and to promote the deposit thereof.
The house then went into committee
of the whole, Mr.. Hunton in the chair,
on the general deficiency bill.
WEDNESDAY, March 2O.-Senate.-In
the senate Senator Howe introduced
the following resolution in reference to
w. r. Whitaker, who was the presiding
judge at the trial of Thos. G. Anderson
one member of the returning board:
RESOLVED, That the president be re-
quested, il not incompatible with pub
lie interest, to inform the senate wheth-
er W. r. Whitaker who recently presi-
ded in the superior criminal court of
the parish of New Orleans was formerly
employed in the internal revenue SER
vice or assistant treasury at New Or
leans; if so, during what period of time.
Whether in either of said capacities
said Whitaker is defaultcr to the
United States, and in what amount and
under what circumstances; whether le-
gal proceedings have been taken against
Whitaker, either civil or criminal and
what result; whether such proceedings
are still pending or if discontinued
when they were discontinued and by
whose direction. Ordered that it
be printed and lie on table.
Senate bill to amend section 2464, OF
the revised statutes, relating to cultiva-
ton oftimber on the public domain, was
discussed briefly and passed. Yeas 80;
nays IL. At the expiration Ofthe morning
hour consideration was resumed of the
Pacific railway sinking fund bill, and
Mr.. Mitchell spoke in favor of the bill
reported by the committee on railroad.
Without action the senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, March 2O.-House.-ln
the house Of representatives the bill
regulating advertising for mail contracts
was passed. 1t required advertisements
to be brief and to refer, for details, to
the postoffice department. 1t prohibits
the sub-letting of mail contracts and de-
clares such contracts annulled. This is
very important bill and will largely re-
duce the expense of conducting the de-
partment. The house then went into
committee ofthe whole OH the deficiency
bill. After long discussion thereon, com.
mittee rose, reported few unimportant
amendments and the bill passed
Mr.. Ellis offered the usual resolutions
in regard to the death of Hon. J. e
Leonard, of Louisiana, and gave notice
that he would call them up for action
Saturday, April 9th.
COnkling, Thurman and Davis and the