The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-02-24
CONGRESSIONAL ApFAIns.
Proceedings In tho senate ana Hon,
OF Representatives.

WASHINGTON, February 93.-Inthe Sen.
ate to-day Mr. Harris presented a mcnorial
and report Of the Memphis Cotton Ex.
change upon tho danger to tho river front
of Memphis from the cncroachmonts oftbe
Mississippi
Mr. George introduced Joint resolution.
authorizing the Secretary Of War 10 Issue
Fatloas for the relief Of the laborins classes
in the district ovefAowcd by tile Mississil ri
river A telegram from Gov. Lowry, Of
Mississippi, was read, urging immediate
measures Of relief, representing the dcs.ruc,
ton Of property and stock immense and
starvation imminent
Mr.. George thought tho number Of
!aborers rendered destitute would be from
$4,000 to 5000. ''S'',
Mr. Garland spoke Of the wide spread
destruction in Arkansas BY the overflow az
absolutely appalling and Unprecedented.
The subject was referred to the Military
Committee.
Mr.. Voorhees, resolution instructinV the
Committee on Postoflices 10 inoulra ,nto
the propriety Of amending the postal laws
so US TO make the postal rltcs on MI printed
matter issued by State boards of ao,ict,I-
tnre, State statistical and geological reports.
and all printed proceedings Of State iairsl
the same Us the present rates ON news.
papers, wasadopted.
The Grant retirement bill was taken mn
and Mr.. Bayard moved to amend bv snl,sii.
tutlng therefor provision 10 nav every
President ofthe United States WHO shall
have served, or may hereafter serve. IN
said Office, and who shall hayo rt,ineSl
from the same, u sum annually during his
lie equal TO one.fourth part Of the annual
Presidential salary, but this Is not 10 'be
paid in case OF second Presidential tenn.
Mr.. Bayard's amendment WIS r,.jeeted.
Ayes 5, noes 81.
The amendment by Mr.. Sherman pre-.
vailed without discussion, making tIe pro-
posed retirement additional TO tnI, IinlTbCr
authorized by law. The bill then passed.
Ayes -, noes II. is
the ayes.
The bill authorizes the President, in rec.
ognition OF the eminent public services of
Ulysses $. Grant, late General OF tlle irtny,
10 nominate, and by, and with the advice
and consent OF the Senate, to appoint him
to the army with rank and grade Of Sener-
al aud to be placed on the retired list with
pay accordingly.
Mr.. George introduced bill to reduce
tile duties on wrought iron railroad cbajJs,
wrought iron nuts, iron bars, on rails made
IN whole or in part Of steel, and locomotive
ties, to seven-sixteenths Of one cent per
pound. sS',s - H
MIR. Logan reported back from the AIili.
tary Committee joint resolution intro-
duced earlier in the day by Mr., George TO
provide relief on account Of tlle overflow of
the Mississippi, with an amendment IN tlie
nature of asubstitute, and asked immediates
consideration Of the substitute recommends
ed by the committee. Il was promptly
adopted and passed without debate. me
House later promptly passed tbe measure.
1t appropriates 100000 TO be nsed bv fbe
Secretary OF War for stores for tie refiefo
destitute persons in the districts oyerflowed
by the Mississippi and IFS tributaries and
authorizes the Secretary to co.operate with
the State authorities in the tlistrihntinn.
In the House Mr.. Chalmers siatetl that
IN consequence Of the overflow Of the AIis.
siSslppl river thousand Colored persons
were Starving, ana introduced a bill for the
Soyernment toaid the sufferers. Referred.
:. MIR. Page reported back the resolution
directing the Secretary Of the Treasury To-
give all the information in his Office con-
cerming unscawotthy steamers; Adopted.
The House then went into Committee Of
I9S whole on the Postotllce appropriation
The clause under consideration was tint
IN relation to tue Star route TRANSFORMATION.
noiman's amendment was pending, pro.
Vtding that whenever any contractor shall
submit his contract for the transportation
OF the mails on any route for less than he
contracted to perform the service, the Post.
master General may declare the original
contract at an end, aud enter into contract
with slD-contractor, without advertising,
10 perform the service on tho terms al
which he had agreed with the original con.
tractor to perform the same.
TO this Mr.. Atkins offered an anend.3
ment proving that sub.contractor shall
enter into good and sufficient bond, and
that the original contractor shall not be re.
leased from his contract until the bont'has
been made by the sab-eonttactor as sub
mitted Tor both Of these propositions
Mr.. Bland offered an amendment, re-
duclng TO the extent OF $50 OC0 the amount
appropriated by the bill, and providing
that 1t should not be lawful for any con.
tractor hereafter tosub.let his contract. but
lie shall be required to fulfil the same acs
cording to law. Mr.. Biand, substitute wds
ruled out on q point OF order. Ii changed
the existing law, and did not reduce the
expenditures. 80
Mr.. Holman modified his amendment
oy incorporating the amendment offered
by Mr.. Atkins, and argued that 1t would
TEND 10 break up the ring OF professional
bidders which destroyed all local compe. !
Iitl0n. The amendment offered by Mf.
Holman was agreed to bya vote OF 98toS9.
Mr. Atkins offered an amendment pro.
Sldlng that when the contract Is declared
void Oh account Of having been sub-let
the contractor shall be entitled TO one
months exir1. pay rs LO~, adopted,
NJ. Williams WIS moved tho clause
i"r the payment Ul railway postal clerks by
Increasing tie amount appropriated to
81, 100000. The amount Recommended
%as S$,l'NO,OOO. Rejected by vote Of III
Mr.. Williams also offered nm amend
Menl increasing by $S8.099 the appropria-
lost. ' s43
rose.
The memorial Of tie American Baptis,
lIome Mission Society, against poIyeamy
anu accompanying vices, was presented.
RUSSIAN REFUGEES.
Arrival Of FsrAeeated sTcbrc,s nj ut,ft..
ININhtn-IhRE A Is,N1.,., :. .