Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-10
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
AN ACCIDENT TO MR.. STEPHENS.
He Falls on the steps eff the Ca pItOl
and SPraIDs His AnkIe-The House
Tariff Commission Bill Passed by
the SeHate-The Proposed New De-
PartmenT OF fAgrleuIture-GuI A
Appeal.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 9.-The capitol
steps had just been washed off when Rep
resentative Stephens commenced to ascend
them to-day. His crutch slipped on the
wet surface, and he partially fell. His left
ankle was sprained severely, but no other
injury or shock was sustained. He was
taken to bis hotel in great.pain.
A hypodermic injection of morphine was
administered. The pain then subsided.
Ever since the accident and until a late
hour this evening Mr.. Stephens has been re-
ceiving constant stream of sympathetic
callers. DR.. Walsh says Mr.. Stephens will
have to keep in bed week or ten days.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, the Speaker pro tenn.
(Mr. Burrows, of Michigan,) announced
the regurar order of business to
be the consideration of the bill en-
larging the powers and duties of the Agri-
cultural Department, and Mr.. Reagan, of
Texas. advocated the adoption OF the substi-
tute offered by Mr.. Keuna, of West Vir-
ginia, providing for the creation of De-
partment Of Industries, to represent the
agricultural and commercial interests of the
country.
After speeches by Messrs. Money OF Mis-.
siss'ppi, Hoge of West Virginia, Updegraff
Of Ohio. Scales OF North Carolina. Hubbell
OF Michigan, Blackburn of Kentucky,
kenna OF West Virginia, and Valentine of
Nebraska, the bill was read by sections for
amendments.
Mr.. TownsheDd, of Illinois, offered an
amendment providing that the Secretary OF
Agriculture shall be a practical and ex-
perfenced agriculturist. Adopted.
After brief debate the provisions of the
bill, transferring to the new Department of
Agriculture the powers and duties vested IN
the commission known as the Geological
Survey, was stricken out.
Mr.. Dunnell, of Minnesota, offered an
amendment, providing a division of
forestry, the chief of which shall ascertain
the annual amount of consumption, exporta-
lion and importation Of timber and other
forest products, the probable supply for
future wants, and the means best adapted
for the preservation and renewal of forests
Adopted.
Mr.. Kenna's substitute was then offered,
and the yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr.. Randall moved to adjourn. Rejected
yeas. SO; nays, &c.
Mr.. Kenna's substitute was then rejected
yeas, so; nays, 1lS.
Mr.. Hubbell, of Michigan, then submitted
an amendment to the bill agreed to by the
Committee on Civil Service Reform.
Upon this and upon the original bill the
previous question was ordered, and the
House adjourned.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The Senate passed the House tariff COM
mission bill-yeas 35, nays 10 The Demo-
Gratis voiiRg with the Republicans in its
favor were Messrs. Davis OF West Virginia.
German, GrOome, Hampton, Johnson and
McPherson. Messrs Ingalls, and Van Wyck
voted mo" with the Democrats. Davis, of
Illinois, also voted "Do."
The regular order, the bill creating inter
mediate appellate courts as a measure of
relief for the Supreme Court, was refumed.
Several amendments offered from the Demo
cratic side were voted down, and the bill
finally went over.
After an executive session the Senate ad-
journed.
GUITEAU's APPEAL.
Argument upon the defendants bill OF
exceptions I'm the Guitesu case began to-day
before the District Supreme Court in banc,
Chief Justice Cartier presiding. Charles H.
Reed, for the defendant, opened the argu-
ment and had not concluded when the
court adjourned for the day.