National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
CONGRESS YESTERDAY.


Passage of BifIs I'm the Senate-An Inter
esting Debate In the House.
Mr.. HAMLIS presented the credentials of hi
successor, Eugene Hale, of Maine elected for the
senatorial term beginning March 4, 1885.
Mr.. PLATT presented the credentials of JOSEPH
r. HAwLEY, Senator-elect from the State of Con
necticut for the term beginning March 4, 1881.
The VICE-PRESIDENT presented the cTeden
tials of SAMUEL J. R. MCMILLAN Senator-elect from
the State of Minnesota, for the term beginning
March 4, 1881.
All the above were read and ordered to be filed
The VICE-PRESIDENT submitted a communiea
tion from the Secretary of War transmittnga letel
from the superintendent of the Government build
ing at the corner of Seventeenth and streets. re
newing his application for an appropriation for al
hydraulic passenger elevator and compensation
for an operator forthat building Referred 70 the
Committee on Appropriations.
Mr. JOHNSTON, from the select committee on
the diseases of domestic animals, reported, with
amendments, the bill for the establishment of q
bureau of animal industry and for the suppression
and prevention of contagious diseases among do
mestic animals.
The bin was placed on the calendar with a no
tfhcation by Mr.. JOHNSTON that ne would ask its
consideration on Tuesday.
Mr.. SAUNDERS, from the Committee on Private
Land Claims. reported fayorably, with an amend
ment, the bill TO provide for sale of the part OF
the reservation of the Omaha tribe of Indians III
the State of Nebraska, and fer other purposes.
Mr. EDMUNDS, from the same committee, re-
ported back the bin to confirm the Strengthened
survey of the Puebia San Francisco. He stated
that the committee saw no reason for congressional
interference. Indefinitely postponed.
Nh. BAYARD, from the Finance Committee, re
ported, with recommendation that it pass, the bill
TO amend section 5I71 and repeal section 5l76 OF
the Revised Statutes in relation to the circulation
of national banks. Placed on the calendar.
By Mr.. COCKRELL: To authorize the publica-
tiOn of descriptive catalogue of all Government
publications from July A. 1916, to date.
By Mr.. BLAINE: For the establishment of the
United States ocean mail service and the revival
of foreign commerce in American steamships.
Mr.. BLAINE said he introduced the bill as a
substitute for the the subject of Mr.. BECK's
speech on the previous day, namely, free ships.
At his suggestion the bill, after being read re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. FARLEY submitted resolution, which was
agreed to- directing the Secretary of the Treasury
TO furnish the Senate with copy of the report OF
A. +. Rogers, of the coast and geodetie survey on
the proposed harbor of refuge for the Pacific coast
The bill to confirm TO the City of Chicago the
was taken up, on motion of Mr.. DAVIS, OF Illinois
and elected discussion which occupied the bal
ance of the morning hour.
Mr.. EDMUNDS then called for the regular order
After somewhat protracted discussion, an un-
derstanding was finally reached that the bill
should go over until after the routine business TO-
morrow morning.
Mr.. WALLACE introduced joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment TO the Constitution of the
United States changing the mode of electing the
President and Vice-President of the United States
THE bill dispenses with the electoral college and
provides for election by the people by secret
ballot by direct VOTE in districts, each State to
have many districts it has Senators and Mem
bers of Congress, and each district to have one
vote; the vote to be canyassed by State board OF
canyassers, consisting of Governor, chiefjustice,
and secretary of state their return to be made to
the Speaker of the House, and to be conclusive
proof of the result the votes to be counted by
Congress in joint convention and plurality vote to
electl
The bill was temporarily laid on the table.
Mr. MORGAN offered resolution, which was
agreed to- directing the Secretary of the Treasury
to furnish to the Senate statement of the names
of claimants whose claims have been allowed
under the ninth article of the treaty with Spain,
proclaimed February p, 1921 the amounts allowed
and paid by the United States, with date of pay
ments &c.
The regular order being the Indian land in
seyeralty bill was then proceeded with.
The pending amendment of Mr.. PLUMB to per-
nit the leasing of the lands was rejected.
Nh. PLUMB moved an amendment for furnishing
the Government with an authentic statement of
who are the members of tribe to be located under
the bill
MesSrs. PLUME and MORGAN favored the amend
ment, and Mr.. COKE in charge of the bill, opposed
it as superhuous. Rejected-ayes, Is; noes 81.
An amendment by Mr.. INGALLS, to make the
bill more harmonious prevailed without objection.
An amendment offered by Mr.. PLUMB gave rise
to lengthy discussion.
Without action ON the bill, the Senate lat 4:S0)
went into executive session, and when the doors