National Republican., 1880-03-30
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
But Little Progress in Legislation
Yesterday,
Further Discussion on the Geneva Award
Dill-Blll Day In the House-The Usual
Flood Poured In-Tricks in IL Sem
ato Committee Report--The
French Claims Treaty.
Nominations, Etc.
Tho Two Houses Of Congress.

In the Senate yesterday, after the presenta.
ton of petitions, introduction of bills for
reference and the reporting of number of
bills from committees, the remainder of the
morning hour was spent in the consideration
Of bills on the calendar, and the Geneva
Award bill came up as the regular order. An
interesting debate was In progress on this
measure, when, at about 2:30, while Mr.. Thur.
man was speaking, he was seized with an at.
tack of vertigo and compelled to leave tho
chamber
The Geneva Award bill was thereupon laid
aside and Mr.. Mcpherson addressed tho SEN
ate In support of his resolution for n commits
sion to inquire into the expedioncy of the
completion of the four double-turreted iron
clad mouitois, the construction of which has
been suspended for the past three years.
The Senate then went Into executive scs-
sion, and after protrnctod session adjourned.
In the House tue fact that this Congress
sEould be drawing to close and its remaining
time devoted to the consideration of public
measures matured by the committees had hut
slight effect In checking the flood ofblls in.
cident to a Monday morning call. There were
about 150 bills introduced and referred, cm.
bracng private and public, practical and i'm
prIctical measures, very few of which will ever
be heard from again. They will, however,
enable members to tell their credulou5 con.
stituents, and prove 1t by the Endorsement
on the bill, that they got their measures read
twice." and If the session had only been u little
longer they would have succeeded in having
them read a third time and pissed.
After the introduction Of bills with an oc-
casonal yCa-aud.nay vote as to reference, the
morning hour was dispensed with and the
Diplomatic and Consular appropriation bill
was considered in Committee of tue Whole,
considerable progress being made, but before
the reading was completed the committee rose
and the House adjourned.
During tue debate which was under tho
ive-minute rule, there were several lively
passages, Mr.. Blackburn figuring as n general
opponent to tho BILL at ono point intmated
that the religious sympathies of Mr.. Singleton,
who had charge of The bill, led him to oppose
an amendment reducing the salary of q secre-
tary of legation, who, he alleged, was also n
missionary. Mr.. Singleton replied that he
had religious convictions, which he was
sorry lie did not live up to moro nearly and
he was sorry his friend had not stronger con-
victions.
Mr.. Blackburn asked whether Mr.. Single
toms religion was to he considered as an evil
deuce Of encouragement or a frightful cx-
ample.
Mr.. Singleton rctorted that any religion
would be better in his (Blackburn's) case.
Mr.. Frost also startled tho House with q
proposition 10 abolish tho entire diplomatic
service, but provoked smile when lie as.
signed AS a reason that Mr.. Moran, secretary
of legation, had failed to recognize him when
u student in London, although his credentials
We're sufficient to give him credit with the
bnulSers. TorGiblc as his argument was, the
House failed to adopt his motion. The con.
sderRtion of tho bill will probably be
concluded to-day, although Mr.. Springer has
given notice that he will call up tho Curtin.
Yol,um contested election case
An arrangement was reached yesterday that