Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-01
engaged upon the army appropriation bill this
morning, and expect to complete it at their next


Mr. Ciisbte, one OF the reading clerks of the
House of Representatives, has been incapactated
sore throat
Ex-Representattve Haralson. the colored South
Carolina member, now employe OF the Bal
timore custom house, was on the floor OF the
House to-day.
The House committee on public lands have
agreed to report bin to the House In favor OF in
creaSing the salary Of the commissioner Of the
general land Office TO 5000. and providing for the
appointment of three inspectors to examine the
various land offices, including those of surveyors
general, registers and receivers
noon, Mr.. Robinson introduced a bill to organize
Ihe National Labor League Railroad Company OF
america" to construct Railway from the Attain
tic seaboard to Chicago, ST Louis and Council
Bluffs. A controversy sprang up over the Senate
bill for the purchase OF the Freedmin's Bank
property, in this city, and pending action, the
House adjourned.
SENATE CONTRIBUTIONS.
The Senate in executive session yesterday con-
frmed the following nominations: Collector of
customs, James r. Joley, for the district of Teche,
louisiana; postmasters, Thomas d. Thomas, at
High Farm, Penn; Mrs. Amelia j. Hannum,
schuylkill Haven, Penn: Samuel L. Grosvenor,
Marietta, Ohio: EnSt Funke, Ocento, Wis; Chris
topher j. Terrell, Terrell. Texas
THE NOMINATIONS OF Mr.. CoNKLING AND MR.. sAR-
In the executive session Of the Senate yesterday
afternoon the nomination OF Mr.. Conkling to be an
Associate Justice OF the Supreme Court was re-
ported from the judiciary committee, with a rec
omlnend ltion that it be confirmed Ii was; placed
upon the calendar. in accordance with the rule
which requires all reported nominal tionS to lie
over until the next succeeding executive session.
me nomination OF ex-senator Sargent to be Inini
lister to Germany was also placed upon the ca lem
dar with the favorable Recommendation OF the
committee on foreign relations
A CAUCUS OF DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES
was held last evening. Representative House de-
clining reelection as chairman, General Rose
Grams, OF California, was elected chairman Of the
caucus for the FOrty-seyenth Congress. Mr. Bel
mont, of New York, and Mr.. Blanchard of Louisi-
ana, were elected secretaries 1t was decided to
appoint democratic congressional campaign COM
mlttee, one member to be named 10y each state del
egatfon, the nameS to be reported to the chairman
by next Saturday.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE on RULES
held an important meeting this morning The
request OF the District OF Columbia committee, to
have assigned certain days for District legislation
acted upon at meeting to be held on Friday
The committee decided to submit a report to the
present rules, and substitute therefor series
which which Will be in the interest of promoting
rather than retarding legislation The plan
agreed upon in a sense goes back to the old rules
OF the House, but is so framed to prevent bill
from getting into what is known as the .nine
hole;" that is, holding an entire morning hour,
from time to time, until disposed of. The new
rules were adopted by vote OF all the republicans
Mr.. Blackburn opposed them in committee. Mr..
the proposed changes make revolution, in tnat
they contemplate allowing a ma Ority to do what
ever 1t pleaSeS without reference to the views Of
the minority 1t is the intention to report the pro-
posed changes some time to-day, for the purpose
of having the same printed.
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.
The President has transmitted to Congress
bill to appropriate sS5 600 to defray the expenses
OF observing the transit OF Venus next Deem
ber. With the bill he sent letter from Admiral
Rodgers, superintendent Of the Naval
observatory. Sketching the general plan which
the transit commission proposes to follow This
plan includes the establishment of observation
stations In New Zealand, South Africa, and South
America, In addition to stations in this
country. The bill provides for the Diet tliling
OF naval ship for the use OF
the commission and for the pay Of officers who
may be detailed members of the various eXpa-
ditiOnS. The coast survey officers who We're sent
with the expedition In 1874, were met
on their return with an embarrassment
due to the fact that it was held that they
were not on coast survey duty, and could not be
be paid. The immediate deficiency bill contains a
clause appropriating $4,000 for the construction
and repair OF instruments to be used in the cb-
servations, so that if both appropriations are
passed, there will be sum available
amounting to $4,000. The members OF the COM
mission are anxious for the early passage OF the
bills so that the expeditions can be fitted out as
early possible. The bill sent Congress hy the
President provides also for the appointment OF the
superintendent OF the "NauticaI Almanac as a
member OF the commission.