National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-06
ProceedIngs In Congress.


The Senate was in session less than two
hours yesterday, and the only disposition to
do business that manifested itself was the on.
position to and defeat of an amendment offered
by Senator Davis, of West Virginia, that when
the Senate adjourn il adjourn until Monday.
This proposition was made at an early stage
of the days proceedings and q resolution
adopted that the Senate shall each day con-
slider the calendar of general orders, tho de-
bate to be limited to five minutes a single OBJ.
lection carrying any bill over. There was n
good deal of amusement when the calendar
was called the first bill on the calendar being
that Of Senator McDonald's to prohibit mill.
tary interference at elections. Mr.. Allison OBJ
jected to its consideration, when several mem
bcrs on the Democratic side created merri.
ment by saying, There certainly eau be no
objection to that bill"
The call of the calendar did not, however,
yield much in the way of business, as most oil
tho measures were objected to or referred TO
Committees but the bill to amend the census
law, requiring enumeration in cities having
over 10000 inhabitants to be made in two
weeks from June l, instead Of four weeks as
provided for in the original act, received bet.
ter treatment, and was passed.
A bill authorizing tho Secretary OF the Iu-
terror to deposit certain Indian trust funds in
the United States Treasury, in lieu of invest
ment, wus discussed, but was undisposod OF
when the Senate went into executive session.
The proceedings of the House yesterday
wero only important as showing the weakness
of the report of tho Committee on Rules before
tue House and the disposition of its members
to deprive the Committee on Appropriations
of the immense power it now exercises in
shaping the legislation of tho House.
During tho debate Mr.. Shallcnberger from
the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds, offered au amendment to the pro-
posed rules that that committee should ma
ture, present aud manage all appropriations
for public buildings and grounds throughout
the United States.
This of course gave rise TO a lengthy debate,
in which Mr.. Frye aud other members under
took TO defeat 1t; but it was finally adopted by
q vote of 100 to 81. This victory over the
Appropriation Committee was tho cause of
much applause and demonstrations of ap.
proval from that committeUs opponents. This
makes tho third defeat that the report of the
Committee on Rules has sustained since the
Improbable debate began
| During the early part Of the day the bill for
the conversion of National goi banks into
National banks was taken from the Speakers
table aud passed.
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Van Vorhis
calling upon tho Secretary of the Interior for
| information as to tho number of acres of pub.
| lie land in the various cities of u tab Territory
aud whether any discrimination is used by
the Department of the Interior in issuing
patents for such lands in favor of Mormons
was referred.
Mr. Ryan, of Kansas, presented the petition
of 1000 citizens Of his State in favor OF grant
ing the right Of way to railways through the
Indian Territory.
Several other unlmportant measures wore
introduced aud referred, but tho debate on
the report of the Committee on Rules occupied
most OF the time Of the House.