The Evening critic., 1882-03-18
District i'm Congress.
CapifOI Notes.

The Senate Committee on appropriations
was considering the Army appropriation bill
today.
Judge Shellabareer closed the argument
to-day on the law points in the Chalmers
Lynch contested election before the House
Committee.
Senators Bayard, Camden, Mcpherson,
Cameron, of Pennsylvania, and some other
Senators, have gone TO Philadelphia upon in
vitation Of G. W. Childs to dine with him to-
day.
The report in the morning papers of the
action Of the Senate Committee on Territories
is in error as TO the length of time allowed to
take the census. They state that 1t is from
the 3D. to the 18th of July, whereas the fact Is
the time allowed is sixty days.
The House Committee on Civil service
Reform had a meeting to-day. Mr.. Butter
worth reported the resolution to protect sol
diers and sailors from unjust discrimination
on account of age, as ofice-holders, growing
out of the row in the Cincinnati post.oilice.
Senator Malone has presented n petition,
which has been referred to the Committee on
the District Of Columbia, requesting the enact
ment of a law requiring the erection OF n pub
lichydrant In any alley or by-street where
there are twenty or more resident families
the expense TO be charged against the property
thus benefited.
The Subcommittee of the Committee on
the Improvement of the Mississippi River and
Tributaries having IN charge Senator Gar
lands bill providing for the maintenance Of
leyees on the Mississippi River, look on the
bill with much favor. 1t appropriates fifteen
million dollars. The committee will-probably
report early next week.
The House, according TO previous under
standing, met to-day for the purpose of gem
eral debate on the Chinese bill alone. Tho
speaker announced that under no circum.
stance would the previous question be ordered
today. Mr.. Emory Speer led OF with an
hours set speech. The attendance of mem
bers was meagre. Mr.. speer's argument was
a reply to the recent speech Of Judge Taylor
Mr.. Flower, of New York. spoke next
More than one person expressed surprise
yesterday at seeing Colonel Jim Edwards, of
Missouri, one of the doorkeepers Of the Senate,
'a-wearin' o. the green" No one had ever
suspected that he had Celtic blood coursing in
his veins, but had marked him down as be-
longing to quito another and equally distinct
and distinguished nationality. But when tho
band began to play the little Colonel pinned
on his Shamrock and his badge OF green and
fell into line with the boys. Jim is one OF the
boys that is not afraid 10 show his colors as
many gallant Knight OF Saint Patrick In
'Carey patch" can tesllly, When ne was last
seen last night he was still trying to "drown
his Shamrock"
An effort is to be made at this session to
secure the repayment by the General Govern
ment OF the sums advanced by Maryland and
Virginia for the erection of public buildings In
Washington when the scat of government was
established In this city. Maryland advanced
s72,000 In 100, and nothing was said about
| of Maryland passed resolutions for the adop-
| tion Of some action on the subject. formal
| claim was tnen presented, hnu IN 1901 inc
Judiciary Committee OF the House reported In
| favor Of paying II. A bill for that purpose
passed the Senate once or twice, but in conSf-
| quence Of want of time no action on it was
| reached In the House. The matter will now be
| revived in behalf OF both States.
The Senate Committee on Territories
| yesterday morning adopted the House com
| mttee's bill for the admission OF Dakota as n
| State into the Union as a substitute for the
| Senate bill on the same subject, and author
ICED Mr., Saunders 10 report IL to the Senate for
| passage with sundry amendments, the most
important Of which is n requirement that as
| condition precedent to the enabling act II
| shall be ascertained, by taking census be-
| tween the Sd and 18th OF next July, that there
| are at least - bona flde inhabitants within
the boundaries OF the portion OF the Territory
| which Is 10 be made a state. The committee
| will leave the blank to be filled I'm by the SEN
| ate, but majority of the members Will recon
| mend that the requirement be limited tC
| the number OF inhabitants prescribed by the
| recent apporti0nmcnt law as the ratio fOl
| representation I'm Congress. Another amend
| ment agreed upon by the committee provides
| more clearly for the transfer OF the present
| territorial officers 10 what will be the Terri
| tory of North Dakota II the southern part bl
| admitted as State.