River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-01-13
46th Congress.

Congress reeonyened pursuant TO
adjournment before the holidays on the 9TH inst.
The proceedings in the senate were as follows:
The viee-president submitted the following com
munieation
MENTOR, o.. Jan s.
On the 18th and 18th days OF January, A. D.
1880, the general assembly of the state of Ohio,
pursuant 10 law chose me 10 be senator in the
congress of the United States from said state for
the term of six years, 10 begin the 4th of
March, A. d. 1881. Understanding that lawful
evidence of that fact has been presented to the
senate, and filed in the archives, | have the
honor to inform that body that have by letter.
dated Dee. %, 1880 and addressed to the COVER
nor ard general assembly of the state of Ohio,
formally declined to accept said appointment
and have renowned the same.
| am sir very respectfully your obedient ser
want, J. A. GARFIELD.
To the president Of the senate of the United
States.
The letter was placed on the files Of the
senate. Sen. Burnside asked the chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs to inform the senate
whether any action had been taken by that com
mlttee ON the joint resolution introduced by him,
deprecating the construction Of an inter-oeeanie
canal by the European powers He hoped that
still stronger ground might now be taken by this
government and its opposition be declared 10 the
| construction OF such canal by way of the com-
pany Incorporated by any foreign government.
Sen. Eaton replied that no action had been taken
by the committee on that subject. Bills intro
duced and referred To provide
for the sale of the reservation Of the prairie land
OF Pottowatome Indians. A joint resolution for
the purchase OF the sword OF George Washington,
now in possession of the heirs Of George Lewis 10
whom it was bequeathed in Washington's will
Without action upon any bill, the senate went IN
to executive session and adjourned.
The house reassembled at noon.
Mr.. Springer introduced bin for
the apportionment of representatives in CON
gress among the several states and to secure for
the people of each state an equal and Just repre-
sentation i'll the house OF representatives,. Mr.
Springer stated that the bill embodied more than
a mere apportionment; it was drawn in accord
ance with the principles of the minority fthe repre-
sentatives. 1t provided for the same number Of
representatives during next December that now
composed the h0uSe-293 Deducting the terri
tories and the District of Columbia, the popula-
ton of the country 40 1863, IA which, being
divided by 293, left population of l6S 49S the
ratio for one member OF congress. The bill was
finally referred to the committee on census. Mr.
Townsend Of ILL.,. introduced bill relating to the
retirement Of army officers. Referred. Mr.
Clymer stated that the gentleman from New Y ork
(F. Wood who had charge of the funding bill
was i'll, tins morning, and had requested him to
proceed with the appropriation bills The house
then went into committee of the whole, Mr.. Harris
OF Virginia, IN the chair on the army appropriation
bill The bill was read by sections for amendments
Mr.. Clymer offered an amendment apprOpriating
Sl25,OO0 to pay the land grant railroads. 80 per
cent. OF what the quarter master general finds
justly due to them for the transportation. Agreed
to. The paragraph appropuatmg $4,000 for
caring for and operating the L. 5. testing ma
chine at Waterfowl, Arizona, having been read,
Mr.. Converse moved to add proYiSo that the
test of iron and steel and other material for in
dustrial purposes, shall be continued, and an an
nual report thereof shall be made to congress.
Agreed TO. Mr.. Libre offered an amendment
that allowance Of communication of quarters to q
lieutenant general shall be 500 per month.
Ruled out on a point of order The committee
then rose and reported the bills to the house when
it passed. The regular calendar then taken
up. The first bill was Hostetters' bill prohibiting
political assessments" the title of which was
greeted with laughter on the republican side and
though there was some disposition shown to take
it up, it was laid aside for the present The
Interstate commerce bill was finally reached and
taken up for consideration Mr.. Regan stated
he had reported the pending bill from the com
mittee though he did not approve of the the pro-
visions. Mr. Henderson called attention to the
anomalous situation Of the pending bill, which
IN charge Of gentleman (keagan) who was
avowedly hostile to it. NJ Reagan then pro-
ceeded to state his objections to the committees
bill but cut short by the exprBtion of his hour.
THURSDAY, Jan. 6.--Senote.-Sen. Vest, by
request introduced a bill authorizing the con-
structiOn of a bridge over the Missouri river at
IIowelrs Ferry, Mo. Referred. The senate pro-
ceeded to consider the calendar, the first bill be-
ing one to punish tramps in the district of Column
oia. Pending debate the senate went into exc Gu
tive session and soon adjourned.
THURSDAY, Jan. O. H0use-The morning
hour was dispensed with and the house went in
to committee of the whole. Mr.. Covert, of New
York, in the chair, upon the funding bill. The
entire day was spent in its discussion, the debate
being participated in by Messrs. Kelly, Chitten-
den Weaver, McLane, Springer and Phelps. Adj
joumed.