The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-15
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON.
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, December II. =
SENATE-Thc chairman submitted
memorial from the legislature of
Minnesota, Tor an appropriation tor
the improvement OF the Mississippi
river from St. AnthOny'S Falls TO
New Orleans. The paper was read
TO determine whether il could
go 10 a special committee on inn
prOYcment OF the Mississippi
river, as desired by Corkhill and
the committee on commerce. and as
suggested by Mcmillan on account
of its stated importance To COM
merce and in point of the revenue
OF the region traverscd by the Mis-
sisSippi and its navigable tributaries
which produce 29 per cent. of the
corn, per cent. of the wheat, 81 per
cent. of the oats, GA per cent. of the
tobacco, a per cent. OF the cotton.
and sc per cent. of the value of the
live stock Of the whole country.
Referred to a special committee on
Mississippi river improvement.
Hampton appeared in the visitors
gallery for the first time this session.
A communication was received
from the secretary of war transmit
ting reports relative TO the proposed
new building for the pension Office
at Washington. Referred to COM
mittee on appropriations.
Bills and petitions were intro
duced and referred to the appro-
pirate committees, as follows:
BY Edmunds and Hampton-Pe-
titiOns for the abolition of the tax
on bank checks.
By Miller (Calo To ascertain and
report the losses arising in Arizona
from Indian depredatiors.
BY Sawyer-Re- establishing the
| court of commissioners of the Ala
anna claims. and for the distribution
of the unappropriated balance of
| the Geneva award.
BY Cameron penn. For the re-
lief of the officers and crew of the
steamer Montauk which partici-
pated in the action against the ram
! Merrimac. in 1862.
by lIarrison-For delivery to the
society of the Army Of the Cumber-
land condemned cannOns to aid in
the erection of IL statue to Garfield.
By Jones-AuthoriZing the secre-
tary OF war TO grant the temporary
use of the United States barracks
at Baton Rouge 10 the state lnstitu-
ton for the Blind.
By Butler-Making an apprOpria-
| ton for the continuation of the i'm
proVcments OF the Charleston har-
Dor. Also appropriating a portion
of the proceeds of the public lands
to educational purposes.
BY Morgan, by request-Granting
right-of-way over the public lands
of Alabama, and granting lands in
said state i'll aid of the Gulf and
Chicago Air Line railroad company.
Pugh submitted a resolution on
which he said, as it relates TO a mat
ter of great national importance, he
would ask for immediate action. Ii
requests the president TO commune
cate 10 the senate, if not incOmpatl-
BILE with public interests, the instruc-
lions sent to our minister i'll Lon
don in regard to the modification OF
the ClaytOn-BulwC treaty.
The resolution, as modified at the
suggestion of Edmunds, so as to
read, Sin his opinion, not incOm-
patible," etc, was agreed TO without
discussion.
| Hill. of Georgia, from the commit.
tee on privileges and cleo
tions, reported back certain me-
MORALS from members of the New
York legislature affecting the right
of the present senators from thai
state to occupy seats in the cham.
Der. and asked that they be tabled
The committee was then discharged
from their further consideration
lie stated briefly that the committee
did not think any one, nor all of the
five reasons alleged by memorialist'
as being Invalidatory of the elec
ton, were sufficient to Justify further
investigation, or did i'll fact invali
date it. Garland asked that the re
port lie over under the rule. SO or
dered.
The tariff commission bill wai
then taken up, and Garland pro
ceeded to address the senate.
Garland took ground against Nor
rill in favor of tariff for revenue.
Beck (ky.) followed Garland, Ia
king the same line of argument.
All bills on the subject were finally
referred to the committee on finance
Pendleton's civil service reform
bill was thin taken up and laid ovel
as unfinished business for to
morrow.
Bills and resolutions introduced
to-day numbered over eighty.
After executive session the senate
adjourned.
WASHINGTON. December 49,
SENATE.-The committee on finance
had their first meeting of the pres
ent session to-day, and took up'th(
bill introduced by Mr.. Sherman
which provides for the issue of three
per cent. bonds TO the amount o
S300,000,O00, payable at the pleasure
of the government after January
1889, i'll change for deposits of equa
amount of legal tender notes, which
when so obtained by the treasury
arc to be devoted to the retiremen
of extended 5s and 6s, commonly
known as 81 per cent bonds Tn,
bill appeared 10 meet with the unan
imous approval of the committee
but action was postponed in order I,
hear the views of Secretary FoIge
ON the subject, for which purpos
he will be invited to come before
the committee next Thursday.
Maxey, Vest, Groome and Ferr,
presented petitions for the prohibit
ton of unjust determinations il
railroad charges.
Hoar, of the committee on resOlu
lions, reported back the resolution
, ton for the appointment of a selec
committee of seven by the chair T.
consider the extension of suffrage 4
: women, or the removal of their lie
: gal disabilities. He asked unani
r nous consent for the present con
l sideration of the resolution.
Vest objected.
l Ransom submitted q resolution
constituting a select committee O
: five to inquire and report as to tn
D condition of the Potomac river i
: front of the city of Washington
1 The navigabilitv of said river, effec
| a Al q