The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-01-13
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

Congress reassembled after the holiday re.
cess, on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Senate roll.
call showed fifty-one members of that body
present number of executive communism
tons were laid before the Senate, and nu-
merous petitions were presented for legisla-
ton regulating interstate commerce, and
for increased pay to the Hfe-saving service.
On motion Of Mr.. Garland, the Finance Com
mittee directed 10 inquire into the ex-
pedency Of refunding the fees paid under the
trademark legislation, which has been do
cared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
MIR. Anthony introduced q bill to promote the
efficiency OF the navy, and Mr.. Maxey presented
one to increase the value Of the signal service.
In the House, Mr.. Orth rose to question of
privilege, stating that it grew out of and affect
ing the recent appointment Of the committees
OF the House. Before stating the point speci-
ically, I've said ~ ask indulgence to announce
that it is my purpose at an early day to
introduce for consideration proposition to
change the method of selecting committees.
The vast and diversified interests OF
the country are all moro or less
affected by Congressional legislation, and this
legislation, as is well known, is almost exciu.
sively controlled by the action of the commit
tees. For this reason their formation assumes
Importance, and is invested with a responsible
ity too great TO rest in the hands Of a single
individual, however capable and honest
and patriotic such individual may be. AS
now exercised, it is emphatically ono mans
power, and such power is always dangerous and
in conflict with the principles OF our repubh-
can government. 1t Is our duty TO see that it
may not at some future period be used to the
detriment of the best interests of the people,"
MIR. Ortiz then made q strong protest against
the treatment he had received from Speaker
Keifer and closed by asking that he be ex-
cused from serving on the Committee on Rules.
The Speaker said "The chair does not I'M
derstand that 1t Is necessary for him to vindi-
cate himself by saying anything in reply. 1t
must not, however, be inferred, because the
chair does not undertake to challenge the state
ments charging him with injustice, tnat the
chair acquiesces in the views taken by the
gentleman from Indiana" (Orth).
Orth's request was granted, and he was ex-
cused from further service on the Committee
on Rules. A bill was in
troduced by Mr.. Hawk, Of Illinois,
providing for the labelling Of oleomargarine
and other limitations Of butter with their true
name. Mr.. Hawk also introduced bill to re-
organize the militia. Mr.. Hewitt caused the
adoption Of resolution Of thanks to the Khe-
dive OF Egypt for the gift Of Cloopatra's nee
die.
In the Senate, On the 9Th inst, with Mr.. Gar
land in the chair, Mr.. Maxey offered resolu-
ton instructing the Secretary of the Interio,
to furnish report Of the survey Of tho Texas
Boundary Commission i'll 1855 Mr.. Sherma
W N"no up hib o-pci-CtHt. DOnu Dill, Dut
wss antagonized by Messrs. Beck and
MCPHERSON. resolution calling for infor-
nation relative to pension frauds was passed.
An interesting and important document was
sent to the Senate. accompanied by a commu-
nication from the President, calling the earnest
attention OF Congress TO the desirableness of
immediate legislation amending the postal laws
Ielating to contracts for the star mail service.
1t has been discovered that the Government
Is practically without protection against a
wholesale system OF worthless bonds sub
mitted by bidders along with their propoeaIs.
and that some legislauonis necessary to enable
the Postoffice Department to examine into the
suficiency of these bonds. During the
Brady regime great numbers OF these worth
less bonds were accepted, and the Govern
ment was left without any remedy when the
contractors failed TO carry ont their contracts.
The necessity for additional protection in this
matter Of straw-b bonds was brought to notice
by Postmaster General James in his explora-