National Republican., 1880-03-02
CURRENT CAPITAL TOPICS.
The Big 20" Gone From the Left
of the Public Debt.
Over Five and one.H Millions raid Last
Month--New Work Introduced in Con-
gress Yesterday-The Porter De-
bate Opened In the Senate
A New Pension Bill
El Paso DonnelIy.
Monday In Congress.

In the Senate yesterday tho Vice President,
after the reading of the journal, laid before
that body communication from the Socre.
tary of War asking an appropriation of $685.
$50 for tho repair of the old public buildings at
Fort Monroe. A number of petitions were
presented and bills introduced, giving the
business of the Senate something of the char.
actcristics of bill day in the House. Among
the bills introduced were one by Mr.. Withcrs
to incorporate the Potomac Union Railroad
Company, and one by Mr. Edmunds TO in.
crease the police force Of the District Of Co.
lumbia. This bill proposes to amend the ex-
istng statute (sec. $40, X. 81 so as to read
The police force shall consist of the following
officers, viz One major, two captains twelve
lieutenunts, twenty.four sergeants, such number
of prvates not exceeding 25O, for the regular
vice as the board may deem necessary, aud eight
detectives
Mr.. Allison, from the Committee on ApprO-
priatious reported iavorably House bill max
ing appropriation for deficiency for the sup.
port of certain Indian tribes and stated TINT
he would ask for lis consideration tomorrow.
Placed on the calendar.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, the Senate took
up the bill authorizing the purchase of addi.
tional lots of ground adjoining the now build
ing for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
and appropriating $15,732 therefor, and it was
read third time and passed.
The bill legalizing the ordinances of the
Health Office was taken from the calendar
and read. but objection being made by Mr.
Teller it went over.
The morning hour having expired, the
Fitz.John Porter bill, which came mp as the
unfinished business of tho Senate, was TEN.
porarly laid aside to enable Mr.. Hoar to mako
II set speech upon the Geneva award, after
which Mr. Randolph addressed the Senate upon
the bill "for the relief of Fiz-John Porter late
major-generNl of the United States volunteers
and c1ioncl of the army"
Mr.. Randolphs speech was devoted to gem
eral review of the case, with some criticisms
of the minority report aud an explanation of
tho amendment which he had introduced as q
substitute for the original bill.
Mr.. Logan was recognized rs entitled to
the floor to reply to Mr.. Randolph, but gave
way for motion to adjourn, which was
agreed to.
Mr.. Logan will speak upou the bill to-day.
In the House, under the regular Monday
morning call, something like 160 bills, joint
resolutions, etc, were introduced and referred.
A large proportion of them were for pensions
There were several for tho reduction or re.
moval OF duty on printing paper and paper
material, for the reduction of the duty OIL
tobacco and other revenue bills. There were
the usual number of bills TO amend the pen.
sion and land laws and for appropriations for
improvements
After the morning hour on motion of Mr..
Kimmel, tho rules were suspended and n
bill reported by that gentleman from the Com
mittce on Public Buildings and Grounds, ap-
propriating $550,OOO for public building at
Baltimore, passed with but slight opposition.
On motion OF Mr.. McLane the rules were
suspended aud tho bill in relation to the Pa
cfc railroad bonds was taken up for consider
alton.
Mr.. McLane spoke at some length in sup.
port Of tho measure, and at the conclusion of
his remarks the House adjourned, leaving the
bill to 20 over to next Monday.