Morris tribune., 1881-02-10
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

MONDA1, JANUARY 0l.
SENATE-A bill was introduced for the equip
ment of war vessel to go I'm search of the
Jeanette Arctic expedition. Mr.. Dawes
tiercefy criticised the interior department for
delaying 30 long his response to the senate reso-
luton requesting information regarding the
killing OF the Ponca chief, Big Snake. The In
dian land in severalty bill was again consid-
cred.
HoUsE-Bills were introduced to prevent the
dulteration of food; providi against tele-
graphic monopoly; relative to postal tele-
graph company; for the election of United
States senator's by the people A resolution
was adopted calling on the secretary of state
for information as to the disposition of foreign
governments toward international action for
the restoration of silver to full use as money!
The Iowa contested cases were disposed of,
Messrs. Sapp and Carpenter (Republicansl re-
tanning their seats. The District of Columbia
appropriation bill was considered The bill
passed for the construction of branches of the
Utah & Northern Railroad company in Utah,
Idaho and Montana
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY L..
SENATE-1he time of the senate was largely
occupied by a continuation of the Ponca dreari-
ness, Kirkwood and Dawes airing their views,
the former IN defense of his committee and Sec
retary SchurZ, and Mr.. Dawes reiterating his
former assertions, with some personal mOdif-
cations. Senator Logan tried to get the Grant
bill into the arena, but failed, and gave notice
that he would call it up to-day After discuss
ing and amending the pension bill, and a brie
executive session, the senate adjourned
HOUsE-Ihe entire session was devoted to
uninteresting District of Columbia measures
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2.
SENATE-A message was received from the
president, urging that justice be done the
Ponca Indians. MI. Morgans substitute for
Mr. Ingalls, electoral count resolution was
taken up, discussed at great length and finally
adopted
The discussion in the senate shows clearly
that there is to be no difficulty attending the
counting of the electoral vote, and no unusual
delay in consummating it. This has removed
one of the causes which it was feared would
render an extra session necessary by the DELAY
which it was supposed might attend the count
ing of the vote
HoUsE-A message from the president, sim
liar to that read in the senate, was received.
bill was introduced relating to the duties on
manufacturers Of iron, etc. The post route
and District of Columbia appropriation bills
passed message was received from the
president transmitting and indorsing commu-
nication from the secretary of the navy, asking
for an appropriation of $20O,OO for the
establishment of naval stations on the isthmus
The apportionment bill was taken up, and Mr.
Cox of New York made an eloquent speech.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3.
SENATE-The entire day was devoted to a
debate on Mr.. Morgan's electoral count reso-
luton, introduced last spring.
HoUsE-This body consumed the day in dis
cusslng the apportionment bill, without action.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4.
SENATE--The bill providing for the fitting up
OF man-of-war to go in search of the lost
Jeanette was passed, with an amendment in
creaslng the amount to $175. .O00 Morgan's
electoral count resolution, after some discus
sion, was adopted--42 to 1. 1t became evi-
dent that the republicans must either allow it
to pass, or business would be obstructed for the
rest of the session. Not wishing to appear as
obstructionists, a vote was allowed, although
ten of those present did not answer to the call
of their names. The only negative vote was
that of Whyte tdemocrat of Maryland.
The pension appropriation bill was debated
and Senator Logan made fierce onslaught on
correspondent who had abused him.
HoUsE.-Nearly the whole day was spent on
the private calendar, and another discussion
on war claims took place
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5.
SENATE--A joint resolution was adopted, in
vltlng the government and people of France to
join the United States in the Yorktown celebra-
ton; S2O, 600 was appropriated.
Thepension appropriation bill was discussed
T Several bills of minor importance were pass
HoUsE.-The concurrent resolution, provid-
ing for the electoral count ON Wednesday, the 9th
inst, was adopted. The discussion on this bill
was limited to three minute speeches, in which
Robson, Regan, and Springer principally par
hcipated. The most remarkable speeches were
those of FELTON, and Speer of Georgia, who have
ever showed a non partisan attitude Both
held that where conflict was between the state
laws and federal laws they believed the federal
law was supreme, and they both wished it un-
derstood that the mass of Georgians recognized
this fact The applause which followed this
declaration was general and hearty.
The debate in the house on the apportionment
bill was begun in temperate manner, but it
closed in storm. Each speaker disclaimed
party bias and deprecated political discussion
upon the bin, but each one, except Robinson of
Massachusetts,. who refused to be interrupted.
drifted into something of party politics.