National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-06-06
CONGRESSIONAL
PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH HOUSES.
Another Avalanche Of All Sorts Of BILLS, Petitions
and RrSolutions-Tho Compulsory Retiro-
msnt Diii-Swpending Rules
and Passing bills.

President 70 tomporo Davis before proceeding
with tho orders Of business, made personal
statement regarding his absence on Friday. lie
said he was suddenly called away from the city,
and that his letter designating Mr.. Ingalls, TO per-
form the duties OF the chair during that day was
in exact conformity with letter from q former
presiding officer (Mr. Thurman), in pursuance Of
which member (Mr. Eaton) temporarily dis
charged the duties Of the chair without objection.
Since this precedent had been regarded rs Of
doubtful authority the chair desiring to guide his
action by the judgment Of the Senate would feel
obliged by n decision that would relieve this i'm
portant question Of It's obvious embarrassment.
Mr.. Anthony thought that II the discussion Of
the question would have the effect Of emphnsz
ing the necessity for better regulation Of the
presidential succession, 1t was fortunate that II
After brief remarks by MessrS Garland Logan,
aud Sherman, the Committed on Rules on motion
of Mr.. Anthony, was instructed TO Inquire Into
aud report upon the question.
Mr.. Congcr reported flvorably from The Com
merce Committee the Haus, h,li csta3.shing ny
boundaries of the fourth collection district of Vr-
gina.
Nc. Rollins reported favorably from the Com
mittee on Public Buildings tho bill for the pur-
chase orn site for an extension OF tho Post.Ohice
Department building
Mr. Lapham reported favoraby from tho Com
views Of the majority in It's favor the bill for IN
amendment to tho Constitution giving the suff-
Sr George presented the minority report on the
subject.
The bill was placed on the calendar.
Resolutions were offered and disposed Of MS
BY Mr.. Pcndleton: Requesting the President to
transmit all corr, spondenCo not heretofore CONF
munlcatcd between the State Department aud
Messrs. Trescot aud Walker Blaine on Peruvian
Chill matters Adop'ed
remains before tho beginning OF tho next fiscal
year; that under the law Department advertise
ments must be made fora certain period prior to
the making of intracts for clothing, supplies &C.,
and in the case Of the Navy Mt least four weeks he
fore the contracts; that the naynl, sundry civil.
aud legislative appropriate N bills have not yet
reached the Senate, aud instructing the Senate
Committee on Appropriations to report as soon rs
possible the several general appropriation bills
the next fiscal year, which have not been sent Ly
the House to the Senate up to this time.
The resolution was laid over until to-day upon
Soon after 5Soiock tho Senate laid aside the
regular order, the japanese indemnify bill aud re-
snmed consideration of the army appropriation
bill, the question being upon the Senate committees
amendment providing for the voluntary retire.
ment Of army officers after forty years of service
and their compulsory retirement at G2 years.
Mr.. Bayard asked that the two features of the
bill be voted on separately, and II was ordered
The first branch Of the amendment then pre-
vailed without dissent as follows: On and after
the LIST day of December, 1889, when an officer has
served forty years. either as an officer or soldier,
| in the regular or volunteer service, or both, he
shall If nc make application therefor 10 the Prcsi
dent be retired from active service and placed ON
| the retired list
| Mr.. Baynrd moved TO amend the second branch
of the question by providing for compulsory retire.
ment Mt sixty.fve, instead of sixty. two years.
| Mr.. Butler moved further TO amend by exempt
| ing from this requirement generals who have re-
| ceived the thanks of Congress
| Mr.. Bayard modified his amendment so as to fix
the age for compulsory retirement at sixty -four
| years. Adopied-yeas, IS; nays, 22.
| MIR. Butler then modified his proposition ex-
empting officers who have received the thanks of
Congress so MS to require that they shall not be
tired until seventy years of age, thus conforming
TO regulation IN regard to naval officers.
Mr.. Logan opposed the proposition and II was
| rejected-g to 40.
A motion by Mr.. Maxey 10 strike out the entire
| retirement clause was voted down by 12 TO 81.
| Mr.. Plumb gave notice of an amendment au-
thorizing the President IN his discretion TO enlist
| 1000 additional men for the Army for frontier
| service in emergencies, not TO exceed period oi
one year.
Without further action the Senate, at 625, ad-
journed until to-day.