The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-17
Last Nights Dispatches.
XLvI CONGRESS.
SENATE.

r WASHINGTON, Dac. l6 The Vice
President submitted a report by MI
Glszier. transmitted by the Secretary c
the Treasury. regarding trichina in swim
) and the restrictions in our export of swim
: by reason thereof.
) Bills were introduced and referred.
By Mr.. Saunders. to provide for tn
sale of part OF the reservation of the Oma
ha Indians, Nebraska
Mr.. Hoar presented a petition 70
women suffrage 10 the territories. which
he said was signed by ladies of highes
attainment and occupying places of tht
highest respectability 10 society, and whici
contained argumens that to his mind haC
never received any answer worthy the
name OF respectable argument.
Tbs Senate refused to adjourn un,i
Monday. IL to 81.
The fortlEcation bill was received from
the House and referred to the Committee
on Appropriations. Also a joint resolu-
ton for adjournment from the 22d inst to
Jan. 5.
The morning hour having expired, the
educational bill came came up again.
Il recess of ten minutes was taken in
honor of Gen. Grant, who had entered the
| Cham Der.
Gen. Grant was seated upon sofa 10
the rear OF the desks On the Republican
side OF the chamber. conversing with
several senators when the recess was
| taken. He arose and shock hands with
various senators, both Republicans and
Democrats. who gathered around him. A
great many people, apparently all who
had any means Of obtaining access to the
floor, also came into the room and the
people in the galleries stood up aud leaned
over the banlsters, crowdirg one another
iu their carioslty to sse the distinguished
visitor,
At 3:05 the senate was recalled to order
by the presiding officer.
After debate confused discussion
ensued as to whether the agreement to
reach a vote on the bill this afternoon
should be enforced. Several senators
wished TO speak ON the bill, and a motion
by Mr.. Wallace for an executive session
was defeated.
MIR. Blaine thought that agreements
should be observed. but suggested that a
new agreement be made for to morrow.
Mr.. Edmunds objected to agreements to
cut off debate, and thus unanimous consent
was unobtaiBable.
After further discussion the attempt to
come to an agreement IS to the hour
when the vots should be taken was given
up, and the senate All burned. leaving iae
bill unfinished business.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON. December 16.-Mr
Hubbeli, who had charge of the
bill. stated that it appropriated $60,O00
600 or exactly the amount called for By
the estimates. 1t contained provison
that the ACQUIRED pensions due Indian
pensioners should. 10 the discretion OF the
Com missioner Of Pensions. be paid 10 iu-
staIimeots After explaining the pro.
visions of the bills lie maGe state neut as
10 the enormous amount Of appropriations |
needed to pay arrearages OF pensions. |
" hen The bill for arrears of pensions had |
been before the House il hal been stated |
th hat it would only require a few DIli3us |
Up to Nov. !. 1880. the government bad |
paid out for arreGrages alone $24 600. 900 |
There had been PSI 5S7 claims pendiog |
and the averags arrears 10 each new claim |
was Sl.I0O Supposug thirty per csot |
of these claims would be disaliowed there |
would still be in round numbers 1000 |
arrearages to be paid, which at the rate
of 81, 100 each. would amount to $2l7, 900, |
600, and be wished, 10 call attention |
to the further fact the average |
age of the pensioners of the government |
was only forty one years. he criticised |
the present system Of paying pensions. |
Uader the present system anybody could |
get pension who was willing to take g |
false oath. The commissioner bad told |
him tina out of $50, 900 009 paid out every |
wear, 81 600 900 was paid out fraudulcntly |
and perhaps more.
MIR. Sparks defended the act Tor tbs |
payment OF arrears of pensions as simple |
act of justice to pensioners.
MIR. Hubbeii stated that hs had not in
any way intended to oppose the arTear
ages bill. On the contrary he acknowl-
edge. its justice aud he had merely tried
to day to show that under the present
system the government was liberal IN cary
ing out that bill to submit TO great frauds.
Mr. Sparks. in further reference to the
arrexrages bill. stated that it had come
frorn the com mittee of which the gentle
man from Ohio (Gen. Rioel had been
chairman.
Ei. Fort said the gentleman was mis-
taken The bill had not come from the
committees. bat had passed under sus
pension of the rules,on motion of the
pentlsm 40 from Iowa (Mr. Con- miugs J
Mr.. Haskell denied both stateu- cuts.
The bin had passed on his motion
Mr. Sparks thought the bill which the
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ha>ksli)
was SO anxious to father was an extremely
poor bill.
After further debate the bill was read
by sections for amendment.
Mr. Keifer offered an amendment in
creasing the fee OF examining surgeons
from 81 to 81 Ruled out ou a point oil
order.
Mr.. Keller then moved to strike out
the proviso that the fec OF 81 aud no
more shall be paid to the examining sur
geon. Adopted-yeas 80. nays IA
Mr., CUfroth offered an amendment
extending until July |. 1882, the time
within which the fling of claims for pen
sions will carry with it, If aliawed. pay
ment of arrears
The Com mittee then rose and reported
the bill to the House.
The action of the cor miitee in striking
cut the proviso relative to the fees Of ex
aiming surgeons was ratified yeas 90
pays 9i. and the bill then passed.
The Hcusa then, on m9ii.sn of Mr
Fort, took recess for ten minutes to
enable the mem bers to gfeet Geo. Grant, |
who at this mome0t appeared on the
door, Gen. Grant then. amid sp
plause on the floor ard in the galleries,
took position in tho space 10 froat OF the
Speakers desk and received the greetings
of members, who were introduced by
Speaker Randall.
After recess, Mr. Biani of Missouri.
asked and obtained le-v q have prioted
10 the record a substiu;e which lie pro-
posed to cffer for he fenG.ng bill L
eppTopriates of the coin now in the treas