The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-01-12
FORTY.sEvENTH CONGRESS.


On the opening of the Senate after the hoi-
day recess the Senators were called to order by
tho pi esident pro tempore, Mr.. Davis, after
which number of bills were introduced,
among them being the following: By Mr.. An
thony, to promote the efficiency OF the navy;
by Mr.. Maxey, to increase the efficiency OF the
signal service of tho army. The morning
hour was mainly occupied in the presentation
of petitions of which q largo number prayed
for the exercise of government control over
rail transportation charges. Mr.. Miller pre-
sented one urging that the proceedings of Con-
gross be printed in newspaper form weekly,
aud copy thereof supplied free to every family
in the United States. MIR. Garland intro
duced joint resolution to reappropriate the
amount (s375, ,000) appropriated by the act OF
March, 1877, TO pay iu full to certain Southern
mail contractors the amounts due under their
contracts for the years 1859, 1860 and 1861.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Davis OF West
Virginia, relating to pension frauds, calling
for statements OF their nature and character,
what amount of arrears has been paid, ETC.,
came up on the calendar. Considerable discus
sion ensued upon an amendment offered by
Mr. Edmunds, striking out the direction to the
secretary of the interior to report his opinion
upon such legislation as he thought advisable.
Mr.. Davis in the course OF the debate said that
the secretary had estimated that 500, 600 900
would be required for this year to pay the pen
sion roll, and this estimate, he learned, had
been increased by the commissioner to $780,
600, ,000 He (Alr. Davis) had stated last year
that the arrears of pensions bill would cost the
government sum greater than the national
debt, and the statement was laughed at. Pres
ent indications seemed to justify the statement
he then made. Mr.. Logan, replying to Mr..
Davis, said that statements not based on accu-
rate informatian should not be allowed to go
to the country uncontradicted. The assertion
that the pension arrearages would cost more
than the national debt was certainly not based
upon any reliable basis. The report of the
commissioner showed that with q certain force
at his command the arrears of pensions could
be paid in two years, and that after these were
paid the roll would be reduced to forty, or not
over fifty, millions.
The session of the House after the holiday
recess reopened with n novel incident of q
sensational character. Mr.. Orth (ltcpublican,
of 1ndiana) rose to question OF privilege, and
reading from a manuscript made protest
against his committee assignments as an in
justics to himself and his constituents. The
members listened attentively, ami Mr. Springer
was on his feet to enlarge upon the theme but
was stopped by Mr.. Roboson, who called
promptly for the regular order. Mr.. Springer
said he should, therefore, take another
occasion to bring up this subject. Mr..
Orth asked to be excused from serving
OH the committee on rules, OF which
the speaker is chairman. His request was
granted by Speaker Keter, who said that he
did not consider it necessary to vindicate him
self by saying anything in reply to Mr. Orth.
-. The following bills were introduced and
referred: BY Mr.. Hawk, to reorganizo tho
militia also to require manufacturers Of ole
margarine to label the same By Mr.. Gibson,
to amend the rules as to the committee OH
Mississippi levecs. Mr.. Hewitt offered
resolution reciting the fact that
the khedive of Egypt had presented
to the United States the obelisk known as
20. Ls, hfnI-
ness, the khedive the thanks Of the people OF
the United States for gift which only
tho Oldest of nations could make and the
youngest could most highly prize. Adopted.