National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-01
FORTHWITH CONGRESS.
A prOtraCted Executive Session of
the Senate.
Tie Indian Transfer Report Presented
Private Dill Day in the Houso-Defeat
OF the Fairfax Seminary Biil--A
short War Claim Discussion
But II Small Number OF
bills Acted Upon.
SENATE.

FRIDAY, Ian. 81.
Mr. EATON said he had remarkable petition to
present this morning, being one from i75 citizens
ofWiudsor and East Windsor Connecticut remon.
strating against tho expenditure of money for the
pretended Improvement of the navigation Of the
Connecticut River above Hartford. Referred.
Mr. VOORHEES, from the Committee on Pensions
reported bill granting pension to the widow of
the late General Charles Thomas. Placed on the
calendar.
The Vcc.President laid before the Senate the
credentials of Hon. George g.. Vest elected United
States Senator from the State OF Missouri Cor six
years from March 4. 1879 Read aud placed on file
On motion Of Mr.. WALLACE, Mr.. Shields was APP
pointed n member Of the Committees OH Railroads
md Enrolled Bills, in place of Mr.. Armstrong,
whose term Of service has expired.
MT SAuNpERs. from the Joint committee ap.
pointed NJ the last session of Congress TO inquire
Into the expcdiency OF transferring the Indian Blu.
reau from the Interior TO the War Department, re.
ported that the committee had been unable To agree
upon report. being equally divided. They had
agreed however. to make two statements or re.
ports, to be submitted to the respective houses of
Congress. He now submitted his report accom-
panied by bill to authorize the President tenn.
porarily to transfer the custody control aud man.
ngement Of certain Indian tribes from the Interior
70 inc War Department, and for other purposes.
Laid on the table, and he gave notice that he
would call II UP for consideration at an early day.
Mr.. VOORHEES,, from the Committee on Pensions
reported a resolution instructing the Secretary Of
the Interior to report TO the Senate without delay
what additional clerical force Is necessary I'm the
Pension Office and In the Office of the Surgeon.
General OF the Army to secure applicants for pen
SONS prompt adjustment Of their claims and to
the pensioners of tho Government speedy and
efficient transaction of their business Agreed to-
Mr.. COKE submitted q resolution requesting the
committee on Railroads TO consider the bills 10 aid
in The construction OF railroad from San Antonio
70 Laredo, on the Rio Grande, and authorizing the
secretary of War to contract with the Galveston and
Camargo Railroad Company for the immediate
construction of Its line Of road to Rio Grande City
opposite Camurgo Mexico. as a coast defense and II
commercial and military highway to the Rio
Gande Also TO make report on these bills at their
earliest convenience Laid on the table TO be called
up hereafter
Mr.. MAxEY called up Senate bill appropriating
kOOOO for the purchase of Fort Clark, Texas
Passed.
At 1898 Mr. Pruden, assistant private secretary to
me PRESIDENT, appeared with n message from the
fresuent He was accompanied by messenger,
bearing q large bundle of documents. supposed to
pc from Secretary Sherman in regard to the New
n open session, but allowed to rest ON the Vice
Presidents table.
Mr. WADLElGH, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported back the letter of the Secretary Of
War aud resolutions of tho Society of the Army of
the Potomac in regard to n history of the Gettys-
burg battle field together with bill appropriatfng
$4,000 TO provide for the completion aud preserva.
ton OF data showing the various positinns and
movements OF troops engaged In the battle Of Get.
tysburg and for descriptive account of the same,
with illustrations. Placed on the calendar
Tue Senate then, NJ one o'clock p. m, on motion
OF Mr.. Conkling, went into executive session AT
4aO the doors were reopened, and the Sennte ad-
Iourncd until twelve o'clock tomorrow.