River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL.
a Record of the Everyday Proceed
Ings of Both Houses of Congress.


MONDAY, DEC. II.
Ss,tafe-Senator Edmunds introduced a bill Tor
defraying the expenses of President Garfeld's
illness and funeral, providing the sum does not
exceed 800 600.
The chair submitted memorial from the legis-
lature Of Minnesota, for an appropriation for the
improve ment of the Mississippi river from St.
Anthony's Falls to New Orleans.
Bills introduced-R Relative to national banking
associations: regulating license fees of officers OF
the society Of the Army Of the Cumberland to aid
in the erection Of the statute of Gen. Garfield;
and for the sale of portion of the 1T. Leayen-
worth military reservation The civil service re-
form bill was taken up but laid over
TUESDAY,, DEC. 10.
.Seaqte-Petitioas were presented for the pro-
hibition of unjust Determinations in railroad
charges Sen. Hoar, from the committee on
ruIes reported back the resolution for select
committee of seven to be appointed by the chair
on extension of suffrage TO women or the removal
Of their legal disabilities. resolution was sub
mitted directing the secretary OF the interior 10
furnish a statement of the pension department
showing what frauds. If any, have been dIscev-
cred and what legislation can be recommended
to protect the government from such fraud, and
the honest pensioner from fraud and extortlon.
resolution was adopted to inquire what legisa-
ton is needed TO enable widows and heirs OF sol
ders to receive the benefit of the bounties OF SAID
time of their death.
TUESDAY, DEC. ID.
House-Taylor offered a resolution, which was
unanimously adopted, To- the appointment of 9
select committee OF eleven members, to audit al
claims for services and expenses growing out o.
the illness and burial of the late President Tar
field; also to consider what allowance as pension
| or privilege should be granted to the widow anC
family of the late president.
| lis int a reneal
| tax on matches, bank checks, snuff, cigars, am
spirits distilled from apples and other fruits 10
| the appointment of colored men to inquire mt
the intellectual condition of the colored people
| the south; making the trade dollar legal ten
der; abnlishing the tax on deposits OF saving
| banks; to repeal the tax on bank cheeks; I
eouaiize bounUies; also tax on oeomargarlne; pro
posing constitutional amendment for the eiectlo
| Of postmasters by the people; for the protectio
tutional amendment gan; anas ~ .op n ocs
civil officers at four years; reducing the rate
postage on letters and mail matter to two cent
also amending the timber culture act.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. IA.
.Seaate-In the senate to-day a number Of Iii
| were presented, among them one for ascertainin
and settling private land claims in certain state
and territories.
A resolution was submitted calling for informa
ton of the War Department relating to the con
struction of the ship canal across the Florid
peninsula.
At the close of the morning business, the sub
ject of Presidential succession was brought up
and Beck addressed the senate to illustrate tn
urgency for legislative action.
THURSDAY, December Is.
tStnate.-A resolution was submitted instructor
the committee on pensions to inquire and repor
what increase of pension, if any, should be al
lowed the widow of James A. Garfield
Senator Garland addressed the senate on tn
question as to when presidential inability arises
He said that congress was unable to pass judg
ment in such case; that it was question to b
determined by constitutional amendment. TIL
clause of the constitution simply gives cOngres
the right to say what officer shall act and neithe
in that nor any where else is congress empowere
to pass inability. The truth is, it was intende
to be lett to the president and vice president, tn
matter to be settled between them. If Vic
| President Arthur had been in full accord wit
President Garfield, did any one doubt he woul
| have been called TO act in the president
stead within ten days after the president wa
shot because it was then generally known, despit
the dispatches that went out from Washington t
the contrary, that the president would not sur
vive