The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-04-25
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
United States Congress.
SENATE.

Onltcu SGAtcs SohSEcbss
SENATE.
Washington, April 24.-Harris presented
protest of the citizens of Tennessee, against
the passage of bill to transfer what are
known as the war claims. Referred.
The committee on public buildings reported
favorably the bill for public buildings at
Lynchburg.
Bills were introduced as follows, and re-
ferred:
BY George, in accordance with a memorial
from Mississippi, to refund and distribute
among the Cotton-producing states, for the
purpose of common schools, the proceeds of
the cotton tax collected from these states and
kept in the treasury.
by Cockrill, to appoint special commits
sioner for the promotion Of commercial inter-
ests with such countries of Central and South
America as may be found to possess the most
natural and available facilities for railroad
communication with each other and with the
United States.
The Mississippi river improvement bill COM
ing up as regular order, Mr.. Hampton advo-
Gated the bill as reported, providing for an
appropriation of $6,ooo,ooo for deepening
channels and improving navigation upon the
plans of the river commission.
Bayard spoke of the difficulty in the way of
intelligent legislation in the appropriations
for the improvement Of navigation, they being
in the nature of experiments. He would not
vote to exceed that sum at the present session.
Pendleton maintained the constitutional
power Of congress to do all things enumerated
in its instructions to the committee, which
were to permanently locate the lines'o and
deepen the river.
Conger stated as a result of the investiga-
ton of official records that the total of the APP
preparations for the benefit of the Mississippi
and its tributaries largely exceeded that which
had been given by the friends of the bill-his
own estimate making it larger by nearly $6,-
100000.
The bill then went over without action,
pending an executive session.
Morgan introduced bill for the encourage
ment OF closer commercial relationship be-
tween the United States and South American
countries. Ii proposes the holding Of a con-
vention in Washington during the presept
year, with the view to the construction Of a
through line railroad along the eastern slope
Of the great mountain chain from Central
America to Chill, and the establishment Of
other facilities Of communication.
HOUSE.
Washington. April 24.-Robinson, of New
York, rising to question of privilege, offered
q resolution discharging the committee on
foreign affairs from further consideration Of
the resolution calling on the president for in
formation as to the imprisoned Americans,
and declaring that the same be brought before
the house for immediate consideration, but he
finally consented to let the matter 90 over
until tomorrow.
The house passed the bill appropriatng
$4,000 to be Immediately available to con-
tinue the work OF removing the distractions
at Hell Gate.
BY Oates, of Alabama, a bill to permit farm
ers to furnish tobacco to farm laborers and
employees without payment of any tax.
BY Darrell, of Louisiana, fixing the salary
of the associate treasurer at New Orleans at
5000.
BY Cox, of New York, resolution approx
ing the presidents circular of invitation to all
independent countries of North and South
America to participate in peace congress in
Washington on November 22d, and recon-
mended that said invitation be extended to
the Dominion of Canada.
BY Atkins, of Tennessee, abOlishing taxes
on manufactured and leaf tobacco.
By Dessendorff, appropriating 81, ooo, 900
for the erection OF presidential mansion at
Washington.
BY Robinson, of New York, for the final
adjournment of congress on the 23d of May.
BY Ford, Of Missouri, by request, for the
improvement Of the Mississippi, Missouri and
Ohio rivers and their tributaries. 1t author
ICES the appointment Of a Mississippi river
commission. to consist of seven memb ers,
who shall devise the means and manner Of
improvement, and directs the secretary of the
treasury to issue 5000, 900 in treasury notes,
to be expended by the commission as follows:
$500 600 to be used for the improvement
Of the Mississippi river between Cairo and the
mouth of the river, and $4,000, 600 for the
improvement Of the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers above Cairo, and the Ohio between
Cairo and Pttsburg.
Humphreys, Of Wisconsin, from the com.