Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-16
F0RTH-SIITH CONG RESS.
THURSDAY. December l6.


SENATE.-As on yesterday. there was sus-
pension Of proceedings for several minutes after
prayer was offered, pending the arrival OF
enough Senators to make quorum.
Bills were introduced ana referred as follows
By Mr.: Saunders-To provide for the sale OF
part OF the reservation OF the Omaha Indians ia
Nebraska By Mr.. IngallS-To declare the
meaning OF the act or June l6 1850 providing
for settlement OF all claims against the Dlstric5
OF Columbia. By Mr.. Maxey-For the relief of
Gen. Ord, authorizing the President to place
him on the retired list according TO his brevet
rank OF major general with the pay aud enlol-
uments thereby By Mr.. Harris (by request
10 prevent and punish wrongs 10 childreu IA
the District or Columbia.
motion by Mr.. Burnside, that when the
Senate adjourn TO- day IL be 10 meet on Monday
next was loSt-1l to 81.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced hill to facilitate ap-
pealS from the decisions or the commissioner or
patents. Referred.
Mr.. Cameron pa introduced a Joint reSOIu-
tlon, authorizing the Secretary or War TO eX-
change the arms or the National Guard or the
state OF Pennsylvania. Referred.
Ine senate proceeded TO consider the cal
endar
The Senate bill amending the charter of the
Capitol. North O-street q South Washington
Railway company was discussed and laid aside,
10 allow proposed amendments TO be printed
one OF these amendments, proposed by Mr.
BECK, prohibits any street railway company In
the DlntI1Ct from carrying On any car more pas
seDgerS than there are seats Tor. and requiring
cars enough TO be furlishcC 10 accommodate
the public.
Tie bill amending the charter or the Ana
costa Potomac River Railway company. and
that amending the charter OF the Metropolitan
RallWay company, We're also passed over.
me Oil 10 prevent waste OF water in the
DiStIict was passed.
The forti1cationS appropriation oil was re
ceiyed from the House, read twice and referred
TO the committee on appropriations.
The Joint resolution OF the House proVdiur
for adjournment OF Congress from December q
to January was referred TO the committee on
appropriations.
Mr. Eaton, at his request, was excused from
further service on the civil service committee
The morning hour having expired. the educa-
uOnal BIZ came up again. Amendments were
suggested by Mr. Teller and opposed by Mr.
Hoar.
The Senate, on motion OF Mr.. Edmunds. at
2:55 pm, took recess or ten minutes in honor
OF General Grant, who had entered the Cham
Der.
HOUSE.-F. Wood. chairman OF the commit
tee on ways and means, reported concurrent re
solution providing for recess Of Congress from
Wednesday, ed OF December. to Wednesday
5th CT January. The resolution was agreed to-
yeas 125, nays -. The morning hour having
been dispensed with, the House at l2:45 went
into committee or the whole (McMllln in the
chair on the pension appropriation bill.
Mr. Hubbell, who mad charge OF the bill,
stated that 1t appropriated S53,UB9, $50. or eA-
acty the amount called for by the estimates.
1t contained proViSo that accrued pension due
the Indian pensioners should, IA the discretion
of the commissioner OF pensions, be paid on in
stallments. After explaining the provisions OF
the bill, he made a statement as to the enorm-
Gus amount OF appropriations which was
needed TO pay the arrearages OF pensions. When
the bill for the arrears OF pensions had been be
bt fore the House, ii had been stated that it
would only require few millions. Up to No
yember lst, 1850, the government had paid out
for arrearageS alone S2l 600 900. The average
arrearage to each OF the Old pensioners had
been found TO be $500. At the date of the report
OF the commissioner or pensions there had
been 2Sl,597 claims pending, and the average
arrears In each new claim was 81 100. SuppoS-
Ing that 80 per cent OF those claims would be
dlsalioRed, there would still be, In round num-
bers, 1917, 600 arrearages to be paid, which, at
the rate OF 81 100 eacn, would amount TO s2l7,-
Gee eco