Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-14
FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS,
Senate.


qualified and entered upon the discharge of his
duties. ~. Bills introduced: For the appoint
ment of commission to investigate questions
of tariff and revenue laws; for retiring the trade
dollars and recOining them as standard silver
dollars; to enforce the treaty stipulations rela-
tive to the Chinese; to promote the efficiency of
the life-saving service: to incorporate tie Gar
field Memorial Hospital; to place Gen. U. s.
Grant upon the retired list of the army; for
compulsory retirement of all army officers after
forty-fve years service; to provide for the issue
of three per cent. bonds Git authorizes the secre-
tary or any assistant secretary of the treasury
to receive lawful money of the United States to
the amount of $50 or any multiple of that sum,
and to issue in exchange therefor an equal
amount of registered or coupon bonds of the
United States bearing interest at the rate of 3
per cent. per annum payable quarterly or semi
annually at the treasury; such bonds to be ex-
empt from all taxation, to be payable at the
treasury after January 2, 1887, and the money
received for these bonds to be applied solely to
the redemption Of SO per cent. bonds). .Ad-
iOurned.'
TUESDAY, December 6.-The senate met at
noon and appointed a committee to wait on the
President and notify him Of their readiness to
receive the message. The committee reported
that the President would communicate to both
houses in writing forthwith. Bills intro
duced: Granting the Thanking privilege to Mrs.
Lucretia Garfield; for territorial government
for southern Alaska; for the admission of Da-
kota as a state; establishing the territory of
Northern Dakota and providing a temporary
government therefor; establishing United
States mail service and reviving foreign COM
merce in America, between New Orleans and
Mexican ports; for the establishment of q
steamship mail service between the United
States and Brazil; to authorize the Baritavia
Ship Canal Company to construct and operate
ship canal from New Orleans to the Gulf of
H.. L
States; for the relief of Ben Halliday; to estab
lish board of education and in the support of
the public schools :. AT 1:05 P. NJ. the door
keeper announced the reception of a message
from the President of the United States and
the clerk moment later began reading the
annual message. AT the conclusion OF the
message resolution by Edmunds continuing
the committees as they existed at the last ses-
sion was passed. Cameron (Pa.) introduced q
resolution declaring that in the opinion of the
senate it is inexpedient to reduce the revenue
of the government by abolishing all existing
internal revenue taxes except those imposed
upon highwines and distilled spirits. Laid on
the table informally. Beck introduced reso-
lutions instructing the judiciary committee to
inquire into the provision of the constitution
regarding Presidential disability (suggested by
the Garfield case). Laid over. A resolution
by Sherman to appoint six senators in con-
junction with like committee from the house,
bilty of the nation upon the decease of Presi-
dent Garfield, and referring to them that part
of the Presidents message relating thereto,
was passed. Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, December fisherman, Pendle-
ton, Dawes, Lapham, Bayard and Morgan were
appointed by the chair az joint committee for
the preparation of the senate memorial upon
the death of the late President Garfield. .
Bills introduced: To enable the people of New
Mexico to form constitutional and state
government and for the admission of the state
into the Union, Temporarily tabled; making
trade dollars legal tender at their nominal
value for all debts public and private except
where otherwise expressly stipulated IL the
contract; also to provide for the allotment of
lands N severalty to United Peorias and Miamis
of Indian Territory, (referred); granting pen
sions to soldiers of the Mexican war and to
soldiers engaged in the Greek, Seminole and
Black Hawk Indian wars, this bill was report
ed favorably from the senate committee on pen
sions a. the last SESSION.; to establish depart
ment of agriculture and commerce. (temporari-
ly tabled.) -. A resolution offered by Hoar for
a special committee, to be appointed by the
chair, to whom shall be referred all petitions.
bills and resolutions asking for the extension of
suffrage to women and the removal of their dis
abilities, was referred. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, December 9.-Upon the expira-
ton of the morning hour Morrill, addressed the
senate at considerable length upon the tariff
commission bill. Bills introduced: For a
bridge across the Missouri at the most accept
able point from five to six miles above st.
Louis; for recording marriages in territories of
the United States; to make wife competent
witness in trial for bigamy in territories of
the United States; for the erection of monl-
ment to the memory of Maj.-Gen. Baron De
Kalb; for the sale Of lands of Miami Indians in
Kansas; for bridge over the Missouri Riverat
or near Arrow Rock, Mo; providing that the
widows and minor children of soldiers who
served ninety days in the late war, and were
honorably discharged, be entitled to 100 acres
of public land not otherwise reserved or appro-
prlated retiring judges of United States courts.
after ten years service, at 70 years, and after
twenty years service at 65 years Ferry,
from the committee on postoffices, reported
back with amendment bill granting the frank
ing privilege to the widow of the late President
Garfield. He asked unanimous consent for the
suspension OF rules to consider the bill. The
bill passed without objection, being the first of
the session to pass the senate. Pending mo-
ton for adjournment, the President pro tenn.
Davis called attention to the fact that the 9Th
of December, the day on which congress con-
vened, was the fiftieth anniversary of the day
when Isaac Bassett, the much esteemed door
keeper of the senate became connected with
that body. Half century ago he entered the
service of the senate as a page through the in
fuence of Daniel Webster. In all the mutations
VI P1'I oAO6, III dCUSIupG udS ever D0Gu maze TO
disturb him. 'I am sure" Davis said, .sthe
sentiment of all sides is cordially expressed
when I wish him health and happiness in the
name of the senate of the United States.'.
Adjourned until Monday next.
House.
MONDAY, December 5.-At noon the clerk of
the house, Adams, called the body to order and
announced the opening of the session. The
roll-call showed 298 Representatives present, the
absentees being Morey, Scales, Mills and
Deuster. Nominations for speaker being in Or
der, Keifer was put in nomination by Robes on.
Randall by House and Ford by Murch. The
roll was called, and resulted as follows: Whole
number of votes, 285; necessary for choice, 143;
for Keifer, 148; Randall, 1919; Ford, 8. Those
voting for Ford were Brumm, Burrows, of Mis-
souri,; H Mt jones of ;Tsxas; Ladd, Mos
the candidates voted. Fulkerson and Paul. of
Virginia, Geadjusters) voted for Keifer. The
result having been announced. Keifer was es-
corted to the speakers chair by Randall and
Hiscock, and took the oath of office, which was
administered by Kelly, of Pennsylvania, as the