Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-12
THE EVENING STAR.
WEDNESDAY....Fcbruary IL, ,s.a.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Conclusion of Yesterdays Praceeainn.


SENATE-After our report closed
MI BurnSide submitted an amendment to the
army appropriation bill. IL provides that 80
much OF existing law as limits the number OF
officers on the retired list shall be suspended.
that every officer other than 4 generals Officer
who shall be 62 years OF age al the passage of
this act. shall be at once retired, and that all
such Officers who. at the passage of this act
shall be between the ages OF 60 and 62 shall be
at once transferred TO the reserved list and as
they reach the age OF So they shall be retired
The amendment also provides that no field
officer shall be transferred from the reserved
list TO the line unless he shall have served
therein at least twelve years, and that the chiefs
OF the several staff departments and OF the
corps of engineers shall be appointed by selec-
ton from the department or corps in which the
vacancy occurs.
The Senate then resumed consideration OF the
unfinished business, being the bill TO provide
additional accommodations for the library OF
Congress- which led to lengthy discussion.
THE bill, as reported, proposes TO erect the new
library building on Judiciary square,
Mt. Morrill, chairman OF the committee on
public buildings and grounds, submitted an
amendment TO purchase the square east Of the
Capitol. between b streets north and south,
lSt and ID streets east.
Mr.. Conkling opposed removing the library
he said there was noted individual in this
country about whom there had been much talk
and threats of prosecution. Had he Mr.. Coax
Ung) been calico on to prosecute him. he would
not have overlooked the fact that under his
sanction an iron bar was made in each end Of
the building. where men had TO work and were
kept penned up without opportunity TO see a
bird or tree or get a mouthfui of pure air. I'm
these remarks Mr.. Conklng referred to Mr..
Jefferson Davis, who was Secretary OF War and
mao charge OF the construction of the wings OF
the Capitol Continuing Mr. COnkling said
the health, comfort and convenience in the long
years TO come would be benefited and derive
great advantage by the transfer of the two
houses OF Congress to some more desirable part
OF me building, which might be done by adding
TO the structure.
submitted a resolution To recommit the bill 10
the library committee, with Instructions TO re-
foit bill providing tor 4 commission OF skilled
persons to examine and report to Congress
touchlng The sites for a new library. and espe-
claily the practical changes which may be
made Id the Capitol building for the accommo-
aatlon OF the two houses OF Congress and the
Pending discussion. Mr.. Withers presented
Ibe petltlon or VIM Sharp. OF Norfolk, Va for
the removal of his political disabilities
The Senate then. AT 400. went into executive
session, and when the doors We're reopened. at
$50, adjourned ~
Hou SE.-After our report closed
The House further considered the legislative
executive and judicial appropriation bill with
special reference TO that portion OF the bill
which proposes to transfer the coast and geo.
detlc survey nCm the Treasury TO the Interior
department.
MIR Hale alluded to the improperly of put
ting new legislation OF this Kind On aDpropria-
ton bills, and referring TO the democratic eau
Gus OF last evening, where ii was resolved TO
attach political matters to the legislative ap-
preparation bill, he said he wanted TO sound
warning note upon these matters. SO Tar as
the repeal OF sections $50 and 81 OF the Re-
V1Sed Statutes Imposing the test oath on iurors)
was concerned, they had been already repealed
and it was only by mistake that they appeared
In the body OF the statutes. But as TO the re-
peal OF sections 20ll and 220 those sections were
safeguards which Congress had thrown around
the election OF its own members and national
officers, and the republican side OF the House
was committed 10 the protection OF voters in
every state. The members OF his side would
SIT day and night to prevent such an inn0ya-
lon-to prevent such an attack on the body of
the statutes. Gentlemen on the other side, II
they expected to do il. must do il with the
warning which he now gave, that On them was
the responsibility Qf they chose 10 take III of an
extra session OF Congress. The republicans
had held no political caucus, but he Thought he
might state Tor them that they did not propose
tnat such legislation should be forced that way
ON the pending OF any other appropriation bill.
General debate was closed, and the House
proceeded to consider the bill by paragraphs
Tor amendment.
After some progress the committee rose.
Mr.. Reagan, chairman of the committee on
commerce reported the river and harbOr ap-
preparation bill.
over an hour was spent in voting upon mo-
ions TO adjourn and to take recess, after
which, al $40, the House adjourned.