Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-01-29
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

FernAY, Jan. 17.-.Senate-Mr. Allison
;-nnt the committee on finance, report
al adversely on the senate bill to au-
tbnrize the killing of fur-seal and other
f,r bearing animals within the limits of
Alaska territory, and it was indefinitely
nostnoned. This is the bill introduced
bv Mr.. Cameron, of Wisconsin, the oath
II January last, and authorizes the sec
ratary of the treasury to declare the
territory of Alaska, except the islands
II ST George and st. Paul, open to the
Hing of fur-bearing animals; persons
Engaged in such killing to pay the gov
ernment 10 per cent of the appraised
yaIne of the skins taken. A long dis
cnssion ensued on the bill to amend the
natent laws, but quorum having been
found lacking, the matter was laid
aside. Messrs. Wallace and Bayard
we're excused from service on the Teller
committee and their places supplied
with Messrs. Mcdonald and Randolph.
Adjourned until Monday.
FRIDAY, Jan. 17.--House--The house
went into committee Of the whole on
the private calendar. On motion Of
Mr.. Gunther, chairman of the commit.
Tee on private land claims, the senate
bill was passed defining the manner in
which certain land scrip may be assign
ed and located by actual settlers. After
Iaying aside several bills to report to
the house, the bill was reached for the
nayment of $500, 900 to the trustees of
the Protestant Episcopal seminary and
high school in Virginia, for rent of
buildings during the war. Quite a
length discussion ensued, the opponents
of the bill asserting that it was war
claim, and the friends of the measure
stating that it was just bill for rent of
property, and the government was
bound to pay rent for this building oc-
cupied Nv it. Without reaching vote
the committee rose and the house ad-
journed.
SATURDAY, Jan. 1S-,Senae.- SEN
ate was not in session.
SATURDAY, Jan. 1S-House The Ge-
neva Award bill consumed the entire
attention of the house. The substitute
reported by the minority of the jul
dietary committe was adopted and
the bill passed. AS passed the bill
revives and continues that the
court of commissioners Of Alabama
claims, fixes the number Of judges at
three, requires the court to convene
and organize as soon as practicable in
Washington, and limits the expense
and time to eighteen months. The first
class of claims to be those described
in section one of the former act and
claims for damages directly done of
confederate survivors on the high seas
although within iour miles by
shore. In cases of whaling YES
sells ten per cent additional is to
be allowed in lieu of freight, and the
same allowance is made, with six per
cent. interest," on judgements heretofore
gendered in favor of whaling vessels.
The second class of claims is to be for
I've per cent. additional interest on for
mer judgments and on all judgments
to be hereafter rendered, the int erest
allowed to be six per cent The third
class of claims to be for payment of
premiums for war risks, deductions to
be made Of any sums paid back in
dlminution of such pr emiums, so that
only actual loss shall be allowed. The
secretary of the treasury Is di-
rected to pay, further, the adjudica
ton by any court of ten per
cent, upon whaling vessels and their
outfit, with six per cent. interest on
awards heretofore made, and also to
pay two per cent. additional interest on
alljudgments heretofore made. Judg-
ments rendered on the first class are to
be first paid, and then judgment on the
second class, and if the money be not
sufficient to pay all judgments of the
second class, they are to be paid pro
rata. A like rule is also to apply to
judgments in the third class. No for
egn born person is to be excluded if
sailing under the United States flag. The
act Is not to be construed as renewing
or continuing any of the commission
OF judges or officers Of the former
court. AIy balance that may remain
snail be a fund from which congress
may hereafter authorize the payment
u other claims thereon.
MONDAY Jan 20-Senate. Cockrill
introduced bill to provide for a uni
FORM national currency to retire notes
o. national banks and to prohibit their
Incorporation and their issue of notes;
70 utilize silver and silver coin and to
provide for the reissue of coin and
bullion certificates; to provide for the
exemption or payment of bonds and
me issue of bonds bearing a lower rate
oI interest; to provide for the expansion
ana contraction of the paper currency
20 meet the business interests and wants
u the country. The patent bill was
men taken up and the amend
ment of Mr.. Davis, of Ill.,, that it
s2aII not be lawful to grant any reissue
u any patent for any invention except
me invention which was embraced in