The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-12-15
wAsHIxGrox NEWS.
Congress Goes.to work In Earnest
The supreme Court Appoint
menfs

OF congress to-day settled down 10 work
in good earnest. The setting aside Of
the electoral resolution and commence
ment OF the anal consideration of the
funding bill in the house, the elimina-
tion OF the Fitz John Porter bill from
the Obstructed calendar of the senate.
and the completion of two more OF the
regular annual appropriation bills by
the house committee, give assurance
that congress will after all accomplish
something substantial before the Christ
mas holidays, and that there will lie
time enough left after the recess 10
perform all the necessary work Of the
session.
The latest reports concerning the i'm
pending vacancies in the supreme court
are that Circuit Judge VIM. b. Woods,
of Montgomery, Alabama, native of
Ohio, will succeed Justice Strong; that
Stanley Matthews viii be appointed as
Justice Swayne's successor; that Attor-
ney General Devens will have TO wait
for Justice Clifford's death or reslgna-
tion, and that Senator Edmunds will be
given seat on the supreme bench by
the retirement of Justice Hunt, pro-
vided bill be passed by congress au-
thorizing Hunt TO retire upon full pay
in advance of his attaining the age now
requisite under the existing general
It is. however, very improbable that
two additional Ohio men will be select
ed as associates ON the bench with Chief
Justice Waite, and as between Stanley
Matthews and Judge Woods, the for
mer has the best chances for prefer
ence.
Justice ClifIord's death may be ex-
pected at any time, as he is afflicted
both with softening of the brain and
paralysis. He is unable now TO dictate
a complete sentence. and therefore can
not tender his resignation unless an
unexpected improvement in his health
should occur.
Justice Hunts condition is also very
precarious. lie has softening OF the
brain, and like Justice Clifford he can
not sign his name. lie would have re-
signed long ago had his pecuniary cir
cumstances apart from his salary been
sufficient to support his family comfort
ably.
The chairman OF the senate finance
committee to-day appointed Beck, Ker-
nan and Merrill sub committee to
consider and report upon Senator Beck's
bili-introduced at the last session of
congress-which provides for the free
purchase and registry of foreign-built
ships for use by American citizens in
foreign trade. The sub committee in
tend to make thorough investigation
of the questions involved in the pro-
posed legislation, and will be glad to
receive data and written communica-
tions from parties interested.
Senator Williams has introduced in
the senate bill to prevent the intro
duction or dissemination OF infectious
diseases among domestic animals in the
United States. The bill makes it un-
lawful TO import or introduce into the
United States from foreign countries or
into any state or territory from any
other state or territory, any animal af-
fccted with communicative, infectious
or contagious disease, except in accord
ance with the rules and regulations
adopted by the national board of health
or Of any state or territory made in pur-
suance OF the bill. Itprohibits the sale
of domestic animals affected with con-
tagious diseases, such rs the lung
plague, the pleuro- OF cattle,
the splenic or Texas cattle fever, the
foot and mouth disease, hog cholera, in
violation Of the provisions of the bill.
The bill directs the national board of
health or its executive committee to re-
port to the president whenever any
place in the United States is considered
to have been dangerously infected with
infectious diseases. The bill also gives
the power TO investigate the subject of
such diseases and report. a million
dollars is appropriated.
Congressman Chalmers, very active
member of the Pacific railroad commit
tee, says there will be no legislation on
Pacific railroads this session.
United States Treasurer Gilfllan says