National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-24
CONGRESS- YESTERDAY.
Regular Proceedings OF the House and
SENATE.

Yesterday in the Senate Mr. Coke, from
the Committee on Indian Affairs, reported favor
ably, without amendment, House blu for the as
certainment of the amount due the Choctaw ma
ton. Calendar
Mr. Kirkwood, from the minority Of the special
committee on the subject, reported bill for the
relief of the Ponca Indians. Tabled temporarily.
Mr.. Butler addressed the Senate upon his pro-
posed amendment to the river and hRr6or bill for
assIlryey and examination of routes for the Blue
Ridge Canal, in the interest of water transporta-
ton. to Charleston,
ciary reported fayorabiy, without amendment,
House bill concerning the settlement of boundary
lines between the States of New York and Con-
necticut. Calendar.
At 1l:45 O'Clock the calendar was considered, the
first bill in order being tha5aate bill extending
the time for filing claims Prses and equip;
States (Which expired by Mon on December
81. 1870 to two years from the passage of this act
and constituting all such claims filed before the
passage of the act as in due time.
Mr.. Withers objected to the bill, but after an
explanation by Mr. Garland, that the total OF the
claims admissible, according to the report of the
Third Auditor, would amount TO scarcely one
fourth OF what had been supposed, and that the
bill would place the claims Of soldiers inow barred
under the act of lS49l upon an equality with ike
claims of civilians which are not barred. he
withdrew the objection.
Mr.. Cockrell moved an amendment extending
two years longer the time for the presentation of
such claims, and thereafter forever barring them,
whether of civilians or soldiers
Mr. Wallace opposed any extension of the llmi-
bill.
The amendment was agreed to and the bill
passed.
On motion of Mr. HILL of Colorado, the Senate
bill to enable the State of Colorado to take lands IN
lieu of the sixteenth and thirty sections
found to be mineral lands, was taken up and, after
amendment thereto, passed.
The Senate bills on the calendar TO establish q
dead letter office at SAN Francisco and to graduate
the price and dispose of the residue of the chero
kee strip lands in Kansas, were passed, the OBJ
iect of the latter (aS stated by Mr. ingalls, in reply
to Mr.. Thurman) being to allow, at the request of
the Indians reduction in the price of the lands,
TO facilitate their sale under existing treaties
The House bill on the calendar to regulate prac-
ticc in suits brought 10 recover damages for in
Engagements of patent discussed by NeSsrs.
Salisbury, VOORHEES,, Herman, Williams, Conkling,
and HOar.
The debate brought 70 the notice of the Senate
the vexatious and blacknailing suits to recover
damages for the use of patented articles to which
the people of the West, especially farmers, were
constantly subjected, and the prOpriety of exempt
ing by law the innocent purchasers of patented
articles from all damages
MeSsrS Voorhees, and Ingalls, favored a more
rigid measure than that of the House, but were
willing to take that rs the only relief that could
be had at this session. and, with this view. sug
gested that the Senate committee amendments be
rejected.
The bill was finally laid aside lat two o'clock
without action, Mr. Window giving notice that he
would ask it to be further considered after routine
business tomorrow.
Mr.. Booth presented the conference report on
the pension appropriation bill. and in reply to
Mr.. Ingalls, stated that the Senate amendment re-
lating to Indian pensions had been concurred in.
MeSSrs. Wallace, Beck, and Booth were consti-
tuted the Senate conferees on the Post Office ap-
preparation bill
MeSsrS. Withers Harris and Window were ap-
pointed conferees on the District appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Hoar asked unanimous consent for the con-
sideratiOn of the House bill to admit free of duty
u hpGT nCar1fal f6 0rndfs
Curtis for rescuing the crew and passengers of the
British steamer American. Taken up and passed.
On motion of Sir. Allison, the Fertilization ap-
preparation bill was taken up.
The amendments Of the Senate committee were
agreed to as read. and the bill was then read O
third time and passed.
The regular order, the Senate bill for a new
building for congressional library. was proceeded
with, and Mr.. Voorhees, explained the amend
ments to the bill proposed by him.
After several amendments were concurred in,
the bill fixing the site the six squares east of
the Capitol grounds, and limiting the cost of the
land and damages therefor ats1 100000, agreed
to-
The Senate then lat $40 o'clock adjourned until
O-QaV.