Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-23
WHAT CONGRESS is DOING.


WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING.
Senate To-day.
The printing OF additional copies Of the testi-
mOny concerning civil service reform and OF the
report on French spoiation claims was ordered In
the Senate to-day.
Mr.. Logan reported from the military committee
provision to be inserted in the army appropria-
navy hospital at Hot Springs, Arkansas. Referred
70 committee on appropriations
~, Mr Cockrell reported fayorably, as amended by
condemned cast-iron cannon for soldiers menu
ments at East bloomfield, NY, Birmingham,
making like donation for Modesto, Cal The bills
were passed.
on motion Of Mr.. Window the necessary ex-
penseS OF the bonded spirits bill Investigation
were ordered to be paid out OF the appropriation
| for select committees.
| NOTION 10 RECONSIDER THE PER CENT LAND BILL.
Mr.. Pugh moved to reconsider the nnal vote on
the passage Of the per cent land BILL and as the
measure had been sent to the House, he coupled
with the motion request for the return Of the
Dill to the Senate. The motion prevailed-yeas s6.
Mr.. Conger, before the result was announced,
changed his vote from the negative to the affirm
ative, In order to enter motion to reconsider the
vote just taken.
After some delay and confusion consequent
tia upon mi Mmisunderstanding as to the pending
debate was not in order upon reconsideration,
and Mr.. Conger finally explained that he had not
mace such motion, but had simply given notice
After confused discussion, in which the
majority seemed to be quite entanged blythe tactics
OF their opponents, motion by Mr.. Harris to re-
consider the motion OF Mr.. Pugh, was peremptorily
tabled-yeas Is, nays g.
An order for request to the House to return
the oil! was then entered pursuant to the vote
first taken.
The calendar was then proceeded with. Senate
bill to pay George w. Maher 500 for extra ser.
vices on the committee placed in charge OF the
reserve vault In the Treasury, in 1873, passed-25
At O'Clock the Senate proceeded with the un-
finished business-the Senate bill for the distribu-
tlon OF the Geneva award-and Mr.. Call addressed
the Senate.
Nominations To-day.
The President sent the following nominations to
the Senate to-day:
To be collectors of customs-Clark Rude, dis
trict OF Sandusky. O.; Francis E. Whitsell, dis
trict OF OF St Augustine Fla; John NJ. Tarble. dis
Army-Lieut Col. Henry F. Clarke, assistant
commissary general OF subsistence, to be colonel
Major Beekman Du Barry, commissary OF subsist-
ence, to be lieutenant colonel and assistant COM
mlssary ssy general OF subsistence. Captain Thomas
ana cOmmiSSary OF subsistence.
The Struggle i'm the House.
The struggle over the contested election case Of
Mackey agt. Dibble was proceeded with in the
House to-day, Mr.. Randall raising the question Of
COuSucTatlOu IN a0C6SO0lSm 10 the eu0rG made by
MI CalklnS to call up that for discussion and
action. The vote resulted-yeas 129; nays 1,
lPhelp)-17 less than quorum; and a call Of the
House was ordered.
The roll call having been concluded, the names
OF the absentees were called and a motion was
made by Mr.. Ladd to grant Mr.. Murch indefinite
leave OF absence on account OF sickness. This was
opposed by the republicans and the motion lost
yeas lOo nays 122 MI. Murch was then excused
Messrs Rice Mass), Mason and Smith IN. W,
republicans were also excused for the day on the
The doors were then closed and the Sereeant-at-
Arms directed to bring in the absentees
Mr.. Tucker was the first member brought in by
the Sergeant-at-Arms, and, ON being asked the
was detained by public business. He was then
excused amidst much laughter and c0ngratula-
tiOnS-
The District in Congress.
RECLAMATION OF THE RIVER FLATS.
The Senate committee on improvement OF the
river front at Washington held a meeting this
morning to talk over the subject and exchange
opinions. They will not take any more testimony
and that which has been taken is not yet printed,
delay, however, waiting for the printing. The
chairman, Mr.. Ransom, is going right ahead with
his report The committee unanimously and
the flats, and they will submit a report in COM
mendation OF it. Mr.. Ransom will accompany the
report with bill providing for the reclamation of
the hats Dy the proposed plan and apprOpriating
the amount OF money estimated to be necessary
for the work. The committee will press this mat
ter vigorously and their expectation is to get the
bill through at this session
THE BILLS OF DISTRICT INTEREST
now on the House calendar awaiting action are
as follows:-A bill to establish a municipal code
for the District; bill providing for the sending OF
outstanding claims against the District to the
Court OF ClamS Dill to quiet title to certain land
in the District; bill to more erectually suppress
gaming In the District. The bill to reclaim the
fats is on the calendar OF the committee Of the
n hn u1ninn o1cn tho
bill to provide for the payment OF workmen under
the late board Of public works, and to provide for
the collection OF taxes in the District
Capitol Notes.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT CLAIMS INvEsTIG ALTON
The House committee on expenditures In the
War department to-day examined an attorney
named Meyers on the subject OF alleged abuses in
the adjudication Of claims In the Offices OF the
quartermaster general, cOmmissary general, and
third auditor. Members Of the committee say
that the examination will probably be concluded
this week and report made to the House, and
that the Charges OF corruption will not be sus-
tatned.
THE DEADLOCK IN THE HOUSE
The struggle over the Mackey-O 'Connor election
contest was renewed to-day in the House, with
repetition OF the tactics OF the two days previous
The republicans are still at least fifteen votes of
quorum, and Will hardly be able to secure one be-
fore Friday, II, indeed, this week. The policy now
Is to allow no business to be transacted and await
quorum. All of the greenbackers, except one,
Will vote with the republicans to secure quorum.
After quorum is had, the case will be called for
consideration. but even then 1t is said the demo-
Gratis have dillatory tactics in reserve which will
prevent the seating OF Mackey. The democrats are
led by ex-Speaker Randall, who, of course, knows
every advantage minority has under the rules,
and which he will, no doubt, avail himself of.
COMBINATIONS BY THE SENATE.
The Senate, in executive session yesterday, con-
frmed the following nominations: H. l. Gosling,
United States marshal for the western district of
Texas; John s. Rutan, United States marshal for
the western district OF Pennsylvania; Thos. N.
9Th district: George N. Chapman, Of New York, to
be an Indian inspector: Captain Oswald H. Ernst,
to be major OF engineer corps; Captain John C.
Rates. 0lth infantry. major tho kth