Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS IN BOTH HOUSES TODAY.
SERGEANT MASONS CASE TO BE INQUIRED
INTO.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS, DISTRICT INTERESTS
Senate TODAY.

In the Senate to-day response to Senate reso-
luton was received from the Secretary of War
giving a statement Of serviceable and unservicea-
BILE cannon at the arSenals, their market value,
and how many have been appropriated by law.
On motion of Mr.. Jonas, resolution was adopt
ed calling for information about proposed bridge
of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railway
Company across Lake Ponchartrain from Point
Aux Herbes, La, whether 1t will interfere with
navigation, etc.
Mr. Frye reported from the committee on rules a
new rule, namely: "a vote to lay on the table
proposed amendment shall not carry with 1t the
pending measure" Calendar.
Mr.. Brown, from the railroad committee, re-
ported, with amendments, the bill granting a
right of way for railroad and telegraph line
through the lands of the Choctaw and ChickasaW
Indians to the st. Louis and San Francisco Rail-
way Co., and for other purposes. Restored to its
former place on the calendar.
zens OF California for the forfeiture of the land
grant to the Texas Pacific Railroad CO.
House Of Representatives.
In the House to-day Mr.. Houk, chairman Of the
committee on war claims, reported back a bill for
the allowance Of certain claims reported allowed
by the accounting officer OF the Treasury depart
ment
Mr.. Springer stated that he was opposed to pay
ing claims which had not been investigated by the
Court OF Claims, and commented on the fact that
of the 11S pages OF the bill IS were devoted to the
This was explained by Mr.. Houk and Mr.. Nc
MILAN by the statement that more property Of
Union citizens had been taken for the United States
In tennessee than In any other state.
Mr.. Updegrafr, a member of the committee,
stated that he did not know what to do with re-
gard to this bill. The committee had received ten
huge bags of claims which had been adjudicated
by the Treasury officials; it had been a physical
1mpossbity for the members OF the committee to
examine them: 1t appropriated $291, GOO for the
Mr.. Miller said that 1t struck him that Congress
ought to know what it was doing when it appro-
priated 1921 900.
Mr.. White, Mr.. Holman, MI. Atkins and Mr. Blount
advocated the passage of the bill, contending that
to do otherwise would be unjust to the claimants,
and would be virtual repeal OF the law under
Gated. The bill was passed without division.
THE CoURT-AARTIAL OF SERGEANT MASON TO BE IN
vESTIGATED.
Mr.. Rice tOhio) offered resolution directing the
committee on the judiciary to inquire whether the
conviction of Sergeant Mason by the military
court and the proceedings hereunder are not in
violation OF the laws and Constitution OF the
United States and report their determination to
this House, and giving the committee leave to
SEND fOr persons and papers. Referred.
The District in Congress.
bill was introduced in the Senate yesterday to
incorporate the National Cas- Electric Light and
Illuminating Company, OF the District OF Co
lumbia.
Mr. AURcH's BILL ITO SECURE EQUAL SCHOOL
RIGHTS"
The full text OF the bill introduced by Mr.. Hurch
In the House Of Representatives, to secure equal
school rights in this District, is as follows:
Be enacted, &c, That hereafter it shall be un-
lawful for any school trustee, superintendent or
teacher OF the public schools OF the District OF Co
lumbia to make any distinction whatever on ac-
count OF the race or color OF any pupil scholar
who may be in attendance upon or seeking admis-
sion to any public or common school in the Dis
trct of Columbia that is maintained wholly or
In part by moneys raised by taxation OF the
people Of the District OF Columbia or of the
United Unit States: Sec. That all laws or parts Of
laws inconsistent with the provisions OF this act
be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
Capitol Notes.
The House yesterday proceeded to the cOnSidera-
ton OF the Anti Chinese bll, substituting the Sen
ate bill for that OF the House.
The members OF the democratic Congressional
campaign committee are to hold meeting this
afternoon to electA chairman, a secretary, and an
executive committee OF seven.
The democratic Senators held a caucus yeSter-
day afternoon for the purpose OF selecting seven
OF their number, to cooperate with similar COM
mittee OF members of the House Of Representa-
ttveS, as the democratic Congressional Campaign
committee. The following Senators were chosen -
MIA; Mcpherson, OF New jersey: Morgan, OF Ala
bama: Davis, of West Virginia; Coke Of Texas
and German, OF Maryland.
The committee on ways and means has agreed
to report to the House bill prepared in accord
ance with the suggestions OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury to amend the statutes In relation to the
issues OF search warrants in cas- IS where customs
officers have reason to suspect that goods are
beng concealed to evade the payment OF customs
duties.
MR.. HAsKELLs EQUAL RIGHTS BILL.
The following is the full text OF Mr.. Haskells
bill to declare the equal rights OF citizens of the
United States, without reference to race or color:
Be 1t enacted, etc., That from and after the pas
sage OF this act all distinctions account OF race
or far as reatss to any privileges right
citizens In cOntravention OF prejudicial to the
rights, privileges or immunitfes OF any other
class, or to the exclusion OF any other class,
the same hprphV. nd
made null and void, and the Same provisions of
law shall extend. and are hereby extended, to all
and parts OF laws in conflict with the provisions
OF this act are hereby repealed.
TO INDUCE ARMY OFFICERS TO RETIRE.
The bill introduced in the Senate yesterday by
Mr.. Edmunds to promote the efficiency of the army
by the retirement of officers, voluntarily or other
wise. provides that hereafter all officers OF the
army who, by reason of a reduction of the army or
who at their own request or by direction OF the
President may be retired, shall be entitled to the
ten years service, bonus of one years fun pay
OF their rank after fifteen years service, bonus
Of two years az fun pay after twenty years service
full pay; after thirty years service, pension Of
vice, pension OF four-fifths full pay; after forty
years service, pension OF full pay.
LARGE BILL FOR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES BY
ARCHITECT WALTER
The House committee On claims have under con-
sideration memorial from Thomas u. Walter, ask
ing compensation for planning and experimenting
the construction OF certain public buildings in
Washington, and bill introduced by Mr.. Randall
to refex the matter to the Court of Claims, sswhO
shall Near and determine his said claim upon the
merits thereof and according to equity and Justice,
Notwithstanding the cause or causes or action. Ii
any, may have accrued more than six years before
the hing OF petition In the said Court OF Claims
under this act" On June II, 1851, President MIL
lard Fillmore appointed Mr.. Walter the architect
OF the Capitol extension, which position he held
an annual compensation OF 81 800 until May 81,
1866. During these fourteen years Mr.. Walter was
asked by the Cabinet officers and others to do yar-
Gus work OF architectural nature, and it is for
these extra services that he now claims pay by
Congressional action, asserting that he needs the
money for the support OF his family. The list of
professional services rendered, with the fees
claimed, runs as fOllOwS:-Wings Of the Patent
Onice, $105CO; Congressional Library, rebuilding
after the fire In 1851, s410; extension OF the Treas
ury building, $100 extension Post Office depart
ment building, $36, AGO; taking down the old wood
en- dome over the old Capitol building in 1856 and
erecting the present iron DOME SAT $50; del gning
the marine barracks at Pensacola, Fla. $500: de.
signing the marine barracks at Brooklyn navy
yard, $1,000. Total, $113 ,3G0 Mr Walter presented
his claim through Senator Scott, OF Pennsylvania
In 1871, but the matter went to the committee on
claims and was not acted upon.
AMERICAN CITIZENS IMPRISONED IN IRELAND
The Senate committee on foreign relations has