Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-15
AFFAIRS AT THE CAPITOL,
WHAT CONGRESS is DOING.
The Senate.

the committee on pensions.
MeSsra Pendleton AMI Sherman presented
memorial of the tobacco boarI OF trade OF CInc!n-
natl, asking the notification or repeal OF the tax
upon tobacco. Referred to the committee on
finance.
ton board OF health. Referred to the c0mmitte on
epidemic diseases.
MI Ferry, fro m the commit tee on post Offices and
post roads, reported favorably the House bill MAX
Ing 1t an offense punishable by fine and imprson-
ment to personate post Office inspector, which was
Mr. Anthony. from the committee on printing,
reported the House amendment to the resolution
providing for the printing OF the report OF the
vldeS for printing, tndeXlng and binding 4200
copies OF the report testimony and accompanying
misson and for The printing OF COO copies OF the
report without the testimony, for the use OF the
two houses
THE FRENCH spoLIATIoNs BILL
At the close OF the morning hour, the considara-
tion of the French spoliations bill was resumed
Mr.. Hoar advocated the bill. 1t did not commit
the Senate to any policy in regard to the payment
OF the claims; it merely provided that the facts
and the law should be ascertaned by a court OF
the United States and reported to Congress for
future action. The claims themselves had been
pronounced just. by many distinguished American
stateSmen,-not merely those representing the
states in which the claims were held but by
southern m men, also NJ LIVINGSTON Of Louts
South Carolina; Mr.. Archer, OF virginia;
NJ Mr. Clayton, of Delaware; Mr.: John Marshall, OF
uous among the nations OF the earth for its scr-
pulouS regard for its public obligation, could not
afford to disregard claims of Its own citizens ap.
proved by such men as just and equitable
MI Sherman reviewed the history or the claims
ana or previous attempts to secure favorable leg
islation upon them. Years ago he had examined
the question involved, originating in a most
interesting period of our history, extending from
1888 to 1901, and although lie felt Natural
and England for the outrages committed by them
upon our infant government, yet h. had become
entirely satisfied that however strong these claims
might be against France, they were absolutely
groundless against the United States. But they
had been carefully nursed and brought up from
tme @ TO time when the prospect seemed favorable.
and now after having lain dormant for 12 years,
tney were again forced upon the Senate at time
when 1t was burdencd with an almost unprece-
dented amount OF work. No American statesman
had ever questioned the validity OF the claims as
against France, but the government of the United
10 ENFORCE the claims against France, and 1t was
principle of international law that no government
W, was bound 10 make war to enforce claims made by
ltS citizens against foreign nation.
MT Bayard said that whatever might be the fate
or this bill, or of these claimants, he was glad to
nave an opportunity TO express his belief in the
justice OF the claims and in the honorable obiga-
tlon or the people and government OF the United
states TO make them good. No person had ever
rights OF these claimants by war; The demanl
was upon the justice, equity and sense OF honor
aole obiigation on the part OF the government of
the United States to make good the claims Of a
class OF its own citizens.
THE FRENCH sPoLfATIoN BILL PASSED.
The French spollation bill was amended and
passed. At O'Clock the Senate resumed the con-
sdera1ion OF the Pendleton civil service BILL and
MT Miller (NeW York; continued his remarks upon
the bill.
House of Representatives.
Mr. ONelll, OF Pennsylvania, presented peti-
hon In the House to-day OF the Philadelphia Mari
time Exchange, urging an appropriation for gas
lighted buoys. Referred.
Mr.. kasson, OF Iowa, from the committee on
ways and means, reported back the bill amending
the act TO repeal discriminating duties on goods
produced east OF the Cape OF Good Hope. ana 1t
was passed. The bill relieves from the payment
or duty such goods as may be In bonded ware
houses or on ship board on the Isl OF January,
effect
Mir. Gunter, of Arkansas, introduced bill
grantlng granting right OF way for railroad purposes
through the lands OF the United States military
reservation at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Referred.
THE SECOND MISSOURI CONGRESSIONAL CONTEST.
MI. Reed, OF Maine, presented as a question OF
privilege memorial OF James II. Mclean claim
Ing to have been elected to succeed the late Thos
Allen as Repre- sentative from the 81 congressional
district OF Missouri to the FOrty-seventh Con-
gresS. MT Mclean asserts that he received plu-
raty OF the votes cast the special election but
that The Secretary OF State absolutely refused to
give MN the ceftlflcate on the ground that the "a
district had been leglslated out OF existence He
asked the House to declare him entitled to the
seat.
Mr.. Reed stated that there was no dispute as to
Mr.. McLean's plurality. The reason which was al
legged for not giving the certificate Was that the new
reustrctng or the state had abolished the Old dis
Irict ipat ground could not be maintained. He ad-
mltted that he had no documentary evidence to
show that hath that wa, was the ground OF refusal
MI. carlisle (ky.) agreed that the redstrict!ng
OF state only went into effect at the election for
the subsequent Congress, but II Mr. Reed had no
sa eSaenee W sb OF the ground q the refusal Of eert
elections.
Mr. Clardy, OF Missouri, stated that Col Broad
head the rival candidate for Congress, did not
deny that on .he face OF the returns Mr. Mclean
was was entitled III to the seat He had never enter
tained the idea OF contesung the election. He had
authorized him dr. Clardy) to say that he did not
wish 10 interpose any obstacle to Mr.. McLean's
Mr.. Bland, of Missouri, said that there were
precedents TO sustain the Secretary State In the
ground t,t which he had taken He thought that the
committee On elections should investigate the
were.
Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, favored the immediate
seating ot Mr.. Mclean. 1t was conceded that he
was elected, and the committee on elections could
throw no new light on the matter
MI Herbert, or Alabama, argued In favor OF re-
ierrlng the question to the committee, SO that its
decision would have the weight Of a well-con-
Silered precedent.
Lean on the instant, was not only denial OF 1us-
tce 10 him but denial OF justice to the constitu-
cutS WHO elecJeQ nl!l
MIR. MLEAN SWORN IN.
Ihe question was then put as to whether the
Claimant should be sworn In and It was decided in
The a1flrmtfTe-14 to 15-and Mr.. Mclean ap-
peared at the bar OF the House and took the oath
OF Office
BURDENS ON AMERICAN MARINE
Mr.. Dingley, OF Maine, from the joint shipping
committee, reported bill to relieve certain bur-
dens on the American merchant marine to en-
courage the American foreign carrying trade and
to amend the laws relating TO the shipment and
dlseharge OF seamen. Together with the report,
lhe Dill was referred to the committee on COM
merce The views or the minority presented by
Mr. Cox OF New York, received the same refer
ence.
Mr.. WashOurn (Minn), from the committee on
commerce, reported bill authorizing the East
ana west railroad company of Alabama TO con-
stfuct bridge across the Coosa river. Placed on
House calendar.
Mr Bingham, OF Pennsylvania, introduced bill
providing that wheneverit shall become necessary
TO increase the speed On which the mail is carried
on star route the service shall be readvertised
for the reduced time required
THE p o. APPROPRIATION BIII.
The House then, at / 30, went into commit
tee of the whole Qdr. Calkins, OF Indiana, In the
chair) on the Post Office appropriation bill, all
general debate being limited to two hours
Capitol Notes.. HEE2