The Sentinel., 1882-01-14
FORTY.SEyENTH CONGRESS.
Senate.

On the opening of the Senate after the holf
day recess the Senators were called to order by
the president pro tempore, Mr.. Davis, after
which number OF bills were introduced,
among them being the following: BY Mr.. An
thony, to promote the efficiency of the navy;
by Mr. Maxey, to increase the efficiency of the
signal service of the army. The morning
hour was mainly occupied in the presentation
ofpetitions of which large number prayed
for the exercise OF government control over
rail transportation charges MIR. Miller pre-
sented one urging that the proceedings Of Con-
eress be printed in newspaper form weekly,
and copy thereof supplied free to every family
IN the United States. Mr. Garland intro
duced joint resolution to reappropriate tue
amount (s375,O0C appropriated by the act OF
March, 1877, to pay in full to certain Southe' n
mail contracto 8 the amounts due under their
contracts for tie years 1859, 1860 and 1861.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Davis, of Wes>
Virginia, relating to pension frauds, calling
for statements OF their nature and character,
what amount OF arrears has been paid etc
came up on the calendar Considerable discus
sion ensued upon an amendment offered by
Mr.. Edmunds, striking out the direction to the
secretary Of the interior to report his opinion
upon such legislation as he thought advisable
Mr.. Davis in the course of the debate said tIa
the secretary had estimated that 800, 000, coo
would be required for this year to pay the pen
sion roll, and this estimate, he learned, had
been increased by the commissioner to $780,
O00,000 He (Mr. Davis had stated last year
that the arrears of pensions bill would cost the
government a sum greater than the national
debt and the statement was laughed at. Pres
ant Indications seemed to justify the statemen
he then made. Mr.. Logan replying to Mr.
Davis, said that statements not based on accu
oto info t,oy, ,1J,1 ~ - III,
to the country uncontradicted. The assertion
that the pension arrearaoes would cost mors
han the national debt was certainly not base
upon any eliable basis. The report Of the
commits ioner showed that with q certain force
at his command the arrears of pensions could
be 9afd in two years, and that after these were
paid tie roll would be reduced to forty, or not
o-er fifty, millions. I
Bills were introduced BY Mr. Ferry, to
grant additional pensions to those who have
81 an arm or leg in the service of the United
Statis. BY MIR. Rollins, for the organization of
the Territory Of Oklohama. By Mr.. Butler, for
the creation of body of parliamentary attor-
neys. BY Mr.. Voorhees, granting pensions to
prisoners of war. By Mr., Logan, to appro-
pirate and expend the entire income derived
from the internal revenue taxes on the manu-
facture and sale of distilled spirits for the edu
cation Of all the children living in the United
States. 1t provides that the national school
fund thus created shall be distributed among
the several States and Territories pro rata ac-
cording to the census statistics of iliteracy but
prohibits any State or Territory from receiving
the proposed benefits which does not provide
by local enactment that all children between
the ages of seven and twelve years shall attend
school at least six months in the year. Mr.
Sherman's bill, providing for the issue of three
per cent. bonds, was debated by Messrs. Sher-
man, Mcpherson, Beck and Bayard.
Mr.. Dawes reported bill to ratify the agree
ment submitted by the Grow Indians for the
sale of their reservation in Montana Territory
MIR. Bavard reported, with the recon-
mendation that it pass, the Morrill, tariff
commission bill, and spoke in favor of it's
Mr.. Beck spoke at length against
the bill, and Mr.. Morrill, replied.
House.
The session of the House after the holiday
recess reopened with a novel incident of
character. Mr.. Orth Republican
of Indiana) rose to question of privilege, and
reading from a manuscript made protest
against his committee assignments as an in
iusic: to himself and his constituents. The
members listened attentively, ami hlr. Springer
was on his feet to enlarge upon the theme, but
was stopped by Mr. Robe-on who called
promptly for the regular order. Mr.. Springer
said he should, therefore, take another
Orth asked to be excused from serving
on the committee on rules, OF which
the speaker is chairman. His request vas
granted by Speaker Keifer, who said that he
did not consider it necessary to vindlcate him
self by saying anything in reply to Mr.. Orth.
The following bills were introduced and
referred: BY Mr.. Hawk, to reorganize the
militia; also to require manufacturers OF ole
margarine to label the same. By MIR. Gibson,
to amend the rules as to the committee on |
Mississippi levees.. Mr.. Hewitt offered |
4 resolution reciting the fact that |
he khedive of Egypt had presented |
Y the United States the obelisk known as
''Neopatra's Needle,'' and tending to his high |
nesA the khedive, the thanks of the people OF |
the &-nited States for a gift which only |
the oslest of nations could make and the /
younges could most highly prize. Adopted
On olL day 675 bills were introduced. Among I
!nls noou Sere bills defining the law OF INSANITY
III u iuiilal eases; making the discovery OF the
anniversary IF America legal holiday; ap- 7
polntlng q tssiff commission; repeating the
arrears OF pensions act; fixing the term OF office
OF collectors q internal revenue; abolishing
tax :, on banks; lrohibiting the subletting Of
mali contracts, % enable national banking
associations to eSend their corporate existence;
proposing constsational amendment relative
70 tne eiecilon o. United States Senators; pro-
posing consll,utleoal amendment relative TO H
poiyGamy; autnorldng commercial treaty n
with tne repuonc Il Mexico, and proposing
constitutional amendnents relative to the elec-
t!on OF fresldent Ad Vice-President. 80. The
house received rom he President the com
nunlcatlon ffom the ate Postmaster Genera
K ames relative to stray bids for mail contract
I'D worthless bonds and i was referred A3
-1lttee op po5tohoss ,nd post-roadsx