The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-03-24
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

A memorial from the Legislature OF Wis
consin favoring the Improvement of the Mis-
sissippi in connection with the great lakes was
presented in the Senate on the 14th. Mr..
Harrison, in response to instructions to the
military committee, reported that 50, 900 per-
sons were driven from their homes by
the overflow, and presented joint
resolution appropriating 100000 addi-
tional Tor the sufferers, which
passed. Mr.. Cockrel made favorable reports
on bills to lend artillery, tents, ETC., to various
soldiers reunions. The Postal Appropriation
bill was taken up and debated. A special mess
age from the. President was received recon-
mendlng legislation to prevent the spread OF
contagious diseases. The House took up the
Anti-Polygamy bll the pending issue being the
demand for the previous question, which had
not been seconded. Mr.. Blackburn claimed an
opportunity to amend the bill, In which he was
supported by Mr.. Burrows from the Republic
can side. 1t was resolved that the measure be
open to change or debate under the five-min-
ute rule. After long discussion the bill was
passed without amendment, by 1919 to AZ. The
anti-Chinese bill was debated at length.
Mr. Brown reported bill to the Senate, on
the 10Th, granting TO the st, Louis and San
Francisco road the right of way through the
lands of the Choctaws and Chickasaws On
account of illness in his family, Mr.. Edmunds
obtained indefinite leave of absence An appro-
priation OF 5000 was voted toward q monu-
ment on the battlefield of Monmouth NJ Gar
land called up his bill to expend 5000, OOe
on the levees of the Mississippi river, and
appealed for Federal aid for the South.
as did also Messrs. Jonas and Vest. The Postal
Appropriation bill was amended by adding
Sl50,000 for clerks. Mr. Allison submitted the
report on the contingent fund Of the treasury.
At an executive session John Russell Young
was confirmed as Minister to China, and
Cornelius A. Logan as Minister to Chill.
In the House, Mr. Houk reported back
bill appropriating SOL 600 for the payment
Of 300 claims allowed by the accounting Off
GERS Of the Treasury Department. and it was
passed. MIR. Rice offered q resolution directing
the Judiciary Committee to report If the con-
vlction OF Sergeant Mason by military court
was not in violation OF the laws and consttu-
ton Of the United States. Mr.. Hscock
reported back the Senate bill TO increase the re-
lief for the Mississippi sufferers to 100000,
and authorizing the expenditure OF por-
ton thereof for labor on the ievees. Ii was
amended TO appropriate $4,000 and passed.
Some hot words between the Speaker and Mr..
Money caused q discussion on the powers OF
the chair which lasted an hour.
The Senate, at its session on the 18th, con-
CURED in the House amendments to the appro-
priaton for the Mississippi sufferers. Mr..
Sherman presented protest by soldiers against
restoring Fltz-John Porter to the army. bill
was passed for the erection of public buildings
at Terre Haute, Ind, and Peoria, Ill. MIR. Lo-
gan addressed the Senate on hin bill to eYpend
the revenue from liquors in popular
education. The Postofice Appropriation
bill was taken up. The item
for fast mails was Increased to
$3.50, Goo Mr.. Edmunds secured the insertion
OF clause providing that the executive of each
house shall have the right to send letters on
public business in official envelopes, and that
Senators or members may frank any package
containing only printed or written matter. In
executive session the Senate ratified the declar-
alton that the United States accede to the red
cross treaties of Geneva providing for the
care Of the wounded on the battletields OF civil
lied nations. In tho House, Mr.. McLane, ris-
ing to q question of privilege, charged that the
Speaker mad invaded the privileges OF the
House. After considerable argument, Mr..
Kenua offered a resolution declaring that the
Speaker has no right to Ieprimand members,
but withdrew 1T after an explanation by the
chair. The Chinese bill was taken up, and Mr..
Taylor, OF Ohio, made vigorous protest
agains. It's spirit. Mr.. Converse introduced
a bill to prohibit the consolidation of railway
companies. Mr.. Belmont offered resolution,
which was passed, that Jacob IL. Shipherd fur
nish copies Of all correspondence and any other
evidence tending to show what he attempted to
do to enforce the claims Of tho Peruvian COM
pany. resolution was passed requesting the
President to arrange with Nicaragua for the
a resolution that the Secretary of War state the
reasons for sending troops to Omaha
Mr.. Mcmillan reported to the Senate on the
18th, bill for bridge across the Mississippi
between Minnesota and Wisconsin. An appro-
priation Of 100000 was made to continue
work on Davis island dam, on the Ohio river.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill for public
building at Columbus. A resolution against the
withdrawal of silver certificates was referred to
the Finance Committee. Acts for Government
buildings for the courts and postoffices
at Frankfort, Minneapolis and Jefferson
City were passed. The chair submitted reso-
luton Of the Iowa Legislature for an amend
ment Of the act donating public lands To the
States for agricultural colleges. The postof1ice
appropriation was taken up and passed. includ-
ing the restoration of the franking priv
ilege. Tho Fertilization Appropriation Dill
was passed. Mr.. Sherman introduced
bill to print $4,000 copies Of Blaine's me-
mortal address on Garfield. Speeches on the
Tariff Commission bill were made by Messrs.
Beck and Pendleton. The House passed the
Senate bill extending the northern boundary
of Nebraska. Mr.. Page failed in an effort to
resume consideration of the Chinese bill.
II