St. Landry democrat., 1881-12-24
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday.
A LARGE number of bills and joint reso-
iltions were introduce in the Senate on the
18th, among the more important being the
following: BY MFR. Edmunds-For defraying
expenses OF the treatment and burial of the
late President Garfield, the amount being
limited to 100000; also by Mr.. Edmunds-To
punish poIygamy: by Mr.. Butler-To estab-
lish an educational fund; by Mr.. Hoar-For
the education of Indian children, by Mr.
Plumb-For the sale of a portion of Fort
Leavenworth military reservation. The Tariff
bill was then taken up and Messrs Garland
ana Beck replied to Dir. Morrill,.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Vest in
troduced a bill for the construction of Capt.
Eads's ship railway across the Isthmus of Te-
huantepec The bill provides that Eads shall
first demonstrate the practicabiity of the
scheme and that Congress shall then guaran-
tee per cent. dividends for ID years on bonds
to the amount Of Sl00.O00,0 600. Mr.. Logan, from
the Committee on Military Affairs, reported,
with amendments, a bill to place Gen. Grant
on the army retired list. Mr. Maxey, of the
committee. said the report Just made was not
unanimous. and he would indicate his objec-
lions TO it at the proper time. Mr.. Davis wv.
Eal submitted a resolution directing that the
Secretary of the Interior furnish, as early rs
practicable, a statement showing what frauds,
if any, have been discovered in the payment
of pensions, etc. Tabled and ordered print
ed. At the close of the morning business
Mr. Pendleton took the floor upon his
bill to regulate and improve the civil service.
He appealed to the Republican Senators, who
are now enjoying all the offices and emolu-
ments, and who will not be disturbed in pos
session of them. To the Democrats he said:
1--WE are i'll the minority; we have no offices
now. The chances OF time will sooner or later
put them within our grasp. Let now de
clare that we will have none of these offices
except those which may be won by merit. Let
us give this in earnest Of our sincerity in our
great REFORM" Mr. Dawes replied briefly to
som" criticisms upon his position made by
Mr.. Pendleton. and Mr.. Hill (Ga.) then spoke
to the same subject severely criticiSing the
Republican party and Administration for what
he termed Its gross abuse of civil service, by
which reform is rendered necessary. ....A
resolution was adopted in the House for the
appointment of select committee to audit
all claims for services and expenses growing
out Of the illness and burial of the late Pres
dent Garfield: also to consider what allow
ance of pension or privilege be granted the
widow and family OF the late President The
number of bills introduced in the House
is 1856. the most Of which were bills brought
read were the following BY Mr.. Gibson:
authorizing the Mississippi River Commission
to make survey and report as to
the best routes IAN, and the method Of con
sippi River; also, to abolish the tax on
bank checks. matches and tobacco; also. re-
ducing the tax on distilled spirits to so cents
per proof gallon: by Mr.. king-For the APP
pointment OF Tariff Commission identical
with the Eaton bilD; also, appropriating Sl0,-
100000 for the improvement OF the Mississippi
concentrations of the Mississippi River Com
mission: by Mr.. Ryan-For the appointment
ofa Missouri River Commission. On account
of the committees nOthaving yet been named,
the House adjourned till Friday.
A NUMBER OF bills were introduced in the
Senate on the 18th, among them one by Mr..
Camden providing for an appropriation to
continue the improvement of the Ohio River,
and one by Mr.. Edmunds, for ascertaining
and settling the private land claims in States
,frY;a F,opx A1,n
Committee on Territories, reported ia
vorably a bill to straighten the north
ern boundary of Nebraska, extending
Missouri River. The land thus taken from Da
Rota and added to Nebraska consists of part of
the Sioux Indian Reservation. The bin is motif
shall have been extinguished, upon terms
acceptable to the Indians Mr.. Hoar's res
olution for the selection of q committee on |
the rights OF woman was taken up. Mr.. Vest
said he could see no necessity for commit |
tee on the subject, and regarded the resolu- |
ton as a step toward the recognition of |
woman suffrage, to which he was opposed on |
principle. MIR. Hoar replied, but the morning |
hour closed before he finished and the matter |
went over. Mr. Beck addressed the Senate |
upon the subject of the Presidential success
ton. Messrs. MaXey and Anthony followed |
with remarks upon the same subject.
THE Senate Finance Committee, on the |
18th, reported tavorably, with amendment, |
Mr.. Sherman's bill to provide for the issue of
8 percent. bonds. Mr.. Sherman will ask its
consideration immediately after the holidays.
The bill fixes the aggregate amount of 3per-
cent bonds to be issued at 5000 00O, 600 and
provides that the amount received on deposit
shall not exceed at any time SO GO,000 Bills,
etc. were introduced and referred: By Mr..
Coke-To regulate inter State commerce and
prohibit unjust discrimination by common
carriers; by Mr.. Beck-To repeal the tax on
deposits with banks and banking asso-
cations OF bankers; by Mr.. Plumb
standard dollars on the deposit u. silver
bullion also to grant the right of way
through the Fort Bliss military reservation
to the Rio Grande and Ell Paso Railroad Com
pany; by Mr.. Ingalls-A resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Pensions to inquire and
report what increase Of pension, if any,
should be allowed the wife of Abraham Lin
coin; Adopted. Subjects referred to in the
Presidents message were referred to appro
pirate committees. A resolution for wo-
man suffrage committee came up, but the
hour expired without action on it,
ON Presidential succession was
resumed by Messrs. Garland, Coke and
Jones.