The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-18
FORTY. SEVENTH CONGRESS.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 17.-The resolution
of Senator Brown against the contraction
of currency by the withdrawal OF silver
certificates, was referred to the Finance
Committee
The post office appropriation bill came
up, and the Senate by vote of fsrty-one
to fifteen, passed the amendment restoring
the franking privilege. Several amend
ments made in Committee of the Whole
were concurred in by the Senate.
Senator Ferry protested against the
proposition, as he believed the privilege
would be absurd.
Upon the suggestion of Senator Garland,
the amendment was divided, and the first
part, allowing the Secretary of the Senate
and Clerk of the House to use official en-
velopes, was agreed to without vote.
The question REQUIRED upon the propo-
sition to authorize Congressman to send
through the mails free, letters or packages
containing only written or printed matter
not exceeding two ounces IN weight.
Upon the call for the yeas and nays the
proposition was adopted-forty -one to
fifteen.
The bill then passed.
The fertilization appropriation bill as
reported by the Appropriation Committee
without amendment was read.
Senator Morgan protested against the
conversion or manufacture of smooth bore
guns on the Crispin plan
After statements by Senators Dawes and
Allison that the bill contained no express
provision on the point, an amendment ac-
ceptable to Senator Morgan prevailed and
the bill passed.
A resolution was adopted directing the
Secretary of the Navy to furnish such in
formation as has been collected by the Bu-
| reau of Navigation, relating to inter-ecean-
ic communication by the American 18th
| mus.
Senator Sherman introduced bill for
printing 10000 copies of the memorial ad-
dress on the life and character of James
| A. Garfield, by James G. Bl.ine-10,0 900
| for the Senate and 10000 for the House.
On motion of Senator Plumb, the House
| joint resolution was passed granting the
use of camp equipage for the soldiers and
sailors reunion at Topeka, for the encamp-
ment OF state troops of Indiana, for the
soldiers reunion at Grand Island, Neb. ,
and for the encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic of Pennsylvania al
! Gettysburg
| The tariff commission bill was then
taken up, and Senator PendIeton briefly
discussed the subject, followed by Senators
Morrill, and Beck.
After an executive session the Senate
adjourned till Monday.
| HOUSE.
After disposing of number of private
bills, the Speaker laid before the House
communication from the Secretary of War,
transmitting estimates of the number OF
/ persons made destitute by the overflow OF
the Mississippi and its tributaries. He
estimates the number of persons destitute
at So, 600, as follows: Missouri 1900, Illi-
nois, 1900. Kentucky 800, Tennessee o.
600, Mississippi $4,000, Arkansas 10000,
and Louisiana 5000 Rations have been
distributed to 200. The appropriation
already made is sufficient to purchase SO,
600 rations of substantial kinds. The sup
ply will be exhausted in Arkansas, Missis-
sippi and Louisiana about the twenty first.
No estimate can be made of the time dur
ing which the necessity for Congressional
aid will continue. No further demands
are expected from Illinois and Kentucky,
but from Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas
and Mississippi the Department has infor
nation that the necessity for subsistence
will continue for period variously esti
mated at from thirty to sixty days. Tue
Department has no Information from