Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-09
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
THE ANTI CHINESE BILL SIGNED
The Proposed Elevation OF the Agri-
cultural Bureau-FiTz John Porter
-The Court of Appeals BIm-More
New Measures-Guiteau's Bill of
Exceptions.

WASHINGTON, May SIN the House, Mr..
kasson, of Iowa, offered a resolution grant
ing leave to the Committee of Ways and
Means to sit during the recess of Congress
at such time and places as it may determine.
and instructing that committee to assemble
In Washington for the preparation of reye-
nue. bills on the second Tuesday OF Novem-
Der next. Referred.
Among the bills introduced under the call
of states was one by Mr.. Calkins, of Indi-
ana, to aid in making further Arctic ex-
Dlorations, snd detailing Master Lucien
Young as commander of the expedition.
IL authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to
purchase vessel of proper size and struc-
ture for the expedition, at a cost not
exceeding 1000, and appropriates $lOO,-
OOO for the expenses Of the expedition.
Mr. Upson, of Texas, introduced a bill
authorizing the construction of a bridge
across the Rio Grande between Ell Paso,
Texas, and Paso Del Norte, Mexico.
Mr.. Bragg, OF Wisconsin,, introduced a
Dill for the relief Of Fitz John Porter It
authorizes the President, in order that JUS
tice NAV be done to said Fitz John Porter,
late Major General United States Volun-
teers and Brevet Brigadier General and Colo
mel In the army, to the position of Colonel
In the army of the United States of the
same grade and rank held by him at the
time OF his dismissal from the army by the
sentence OF the court martial, aud in his
discretion to place him on the retired list of
the army as of that grade.
Bill were also introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Gibson, of Louisiana-To prevent
the evasion OF existing customs duties on
sugar.
By Mr.. Finley-To authorize the Sanford
and Indian River Railroad to construct
bridge across the st. Johns river, In Flori.
do, and to establish 1t as a post road.
By Mr.. Scales, of North Carolina-Pro-
viding that homestead and personal proper
ty exemption, as provided for under the
laws Of each State, shall not be liable to
execution on judgment obtained on any
claim due the United States.
The House then took up the bill to en-
large the duties and powers of the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas, explained and
advocated the bill.
Mr.. Aiken, of South Carolina, supported
the proposition of elevating TO the dignity
of an executive department the Bureau of
Agriculture, which represented the great
farming interest, In which rested the well
fare Of the government.
Mr.. Huldrow, of Mississippi, advocated
the pending bill, maintaining that no good
iCdcOA COuiO UO buOWn Wuy JuC OcpdTb-
ment of Agriculture should be of an in
ferior grade in comparison with
the executive departments of the gov
ernment. Agriculture was the para
mount interest OF the country,
and this fact should be recognized In the
legislation of Congress. The treaties of this
government with foreign countries were of
vast importance in their effect on agricultu-
raj interests, and he contended that the rep.
rasPntqtiUa Nf fhnan fOtarQate ohOI1lH baua
place In the Cabinet of toe President.
Mr.. Kenna, of West Virginia, spoke In
favor OF the substitute offered by him, pro-
viding for Department of Industries, to
consist of division of Agriculture and
division OF Commerce.
Speeches in favor Of creating a Depart
ment of Agriculture we're also delivered by
Messrs. Carpenter OF Iowa, Geddes Of Ohio,
Rich of Michigan, and Grout Of Vermont,
and then, at 5 o'clock, the House took a
recess until 7:30, the evening session to be
for debate on the same subject.
The Speaker stated that he would be alb
sent for two davs, and that Mr.. Burrows, of
Michigan, would occupy the Chair
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, the President pro tenn. sub
mitted resnlntinns Of the Illinois Legisla-
ture declaring 1t to be the duty or the gov
ernment to demand speedy trial or uncondi-
tional release of American citizens impris-
oned In Ireland. Referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Sewell, of
New Jersey, similar to the one offered in
the House, restoring Fltz Join Porter TO
the army. The bill, with a long memorial
which accompanied 1t, was referred to the
Military Committee.
Mr.. Morrill,, Chairman of the Committee
on Public Buildings, reported an original
bill appropriating 100000 for the erection
of an extension of the Executive Mansion
on the south Of the present structure, of
equal and similar exterior character, con-
nected Herewith by corridor.
The bill creates a commission, consisting
Of the President and the Secretaries of the
Treasury and Interior, under whose direc-
tion the expenditure is to be made and the
work conducted. Placed on the calendar.
Messrs. Window, Hawley, Harrison, Cock
rell and Pugh were constituted committee
OF investigation concerning the allegations
Of corruption In connection with the
bonded distilled spirits BILL
Bills were also introduced as follows:
By Mr. MOrgaG-To expedite the admin
istration of justice In the Supreme Court of
the United States, recurring the court at |
each term to divide itself for the hearing |
aud decision of causes into two or more |
sections, four Justices to constitute a quo
rum Of the court and of each of the sections. |
By Mr.. Butler-Prescribing the manner of |
instituting criminal proceedings in United |
States Courts. 1t provides that aIl criminal
cases In United States Courts, except reve-
nue. cases and cases OF admiralty and mari |
time Jurisdiction, shall be instituted and
prosecuted by Indictment on presentment of
a grand jury, duly drawn and regularly en-
pannelled according to law. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
The House tariff commission bill was sub
mitted, and after short discussion went to
the calendar.
The Court of Appeals bill came up as the
regular order, the pending question being
on Mr.. Jonas amendment In the nature of |
a substitute.
Mr.. Jonas accepted modification offered |
by Mr.. Garland, and then the whole amend |
ment was voted down. Yeas, 81; nays, 81
a party vote, with Mr.. Davis, OF illinois, |
voting with the Republicans.
The current of the debate that followed |
was more than usually sluggish, the points |
suggested being as to the standing and ca
pscitY Of the District Court Judges, and the
proprietY Of making the findings of the Ap-
pelate Court conclusive as to questions of |
fact instead of allowing them to remain ap-
pealsble to the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Morgan's motion was lost-Yeas 20;
nays 80. Several other motions to amend
were negatived by like vote, and without
final action on the bill the Senate went into
erecntive sassie~ "~a thnn odjnnrnAd
SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.
The Supreme Court to-day handed down
about forty decisions, and adjourned for the
term. Among the decisions read was the
No 2S4. City of New Orleans, appellant,
VS.. John A. Morris, John Wharton, ct all,
appeal from the Circuit Court of the United
States for the District of Louisiana. Whar-
ton, as Marshal, to satisfy judgment held
by the other appellees and against the city,
levied upon the stock OF the New Orleans
Water Works held by the city, and ordered
It's sale. Against this sale the city invoked
the Restraining power of the Circuit Court.
The court dismissed the city's bill. and
from its decision the present appeals taken.
The city of New Orleans originally owned
he water works of the city, but sold
hem to the Water Works Company. taking
stock of the company in payment therefor
This court holds that since it is Conceded
hat the water works themselves in the
hands of the city were not liable to seizure
md sale for the ordinary debts of the city.
here is nothing in the nature of an impair
nent of the obligation OF the existing con-
ract in the act of the Legislature creating
he Water Works Company, which it de.
,lares exempt from such seizure and sale. |
rhe stock in said company is sold to the |
,itY in payment for said public work. The
legislature simply continued in this prom
,rty In the shape Of shares some exceptions. |
which had belonged to the property repre- |
ented by those shares. Decree reversed.
With costs, and the cause remanded. with
lfraatf01s fr ouarrt1la tho v,Ioo - |