The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-12-29
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

Mr.. Logan presented bill In the Senate,
Dec 10, which was referred to the Judiciary
| Committee, regulating charges TO be made
by telegraph companies. IL provides that
such corporations must transmit messages
for other companies in the same business
AZ the same rates IA are charged the
public. The understanding is that the bill
Is aimed at the Western Union, which has
been in the habit of levying piohibitory
taTlt on messages given TO IL by the Mutual
Union 1t Is also alleged that the Western
Union has been charging royalty ON
Atlantic cable messages A similar bill was
introduced in the House by MI Joyce. of
Vermont. Mr. Sherman presented n memo
rial in the Senate asking that monthly pub
LEGATIONS be carried by mail at the same rate
rs weeklies The Indian Appropriation bill
was passed with an amendment directing
the removal of the Crow Agency To the
vicinity of Fort Custer. The bill to
extend the time for the withdrawal of dis
titled spirits in bond was called up by Mr.
Sherman. Mr. Ingalls, secured an amendment
for the collection of 3 per cent interest
after the expiration of three years from
entry. Mr. Mcpherson offered a resolution
for rebate in case the tax on tobacco il re-
duced In the House of Representatives, a
bill was introduced TO limit the number of
liquor saloons in the District of Columbia to
2UO. Mr.. Mills offered a resolution inquiring
of the Postmaster General If letter carriers
had been prohibited from wearing overcoatR
number of requests for leave of absence
having been presented, 1t was voted, by III
to lUl, to adjourn from Dec. - to
Jan 2. Bills were introduced-to pre-
vent Federal officeholders from interfering
with the freedom OF elections, to stop the
importation of adulterated tea to annul the
anti-polygamy law and to repeal the statute
for the presumption Of public lands A reso-
luton was adopted that the Garfield Board
OF Audit report all claims presented and al
lowed The Postoffice Appropriatin bill was
considered in committee of the whole and
the relations of the Pacific roads to the Gov
eminent were fully explained
The Senate passed the Consular Appropri-
alton bill Dec 20 Mr. Saunders, by request,
introduced an act for the admission of Utah
Us a State, and bill for the construction OF
bridge across the Missouri directly be-
tween Omaha and Council Bluffs. When the
Civil Service bill came up Mr. Pendleton
of cred an amendment striking ont the pro-
vision that original entrance TO the service
shall be in the lowest grade This provoked {,
free-for- all talking match in which sew
eral Senators tired out their tongues, when
an executive session came to their relief
The House passed q bill To permit retired
army olncels To hold civil offices in the
Territories after rejecting an amendment TO
cover their retired pay into the treasury.
The PoStotfice Appropriation bill was passed
Mr. Lynch offered II resolution TO extend the
provisions of the Pension Appropriation bill
10 enlisted colored men.
A proposition for a holiday recess was
voted down by the Senate Dec. 81. The
Agricultural Appropriation bill was passed
Petitions were presented for n rebate on
tobacco, for the repeal OF all taxes on that
article, and for immediate action on the
ROn1pd Whisky hill r RaynrI nntina
that he would endeavor to quiet apprehen-
sion IN the tobacco business by pressing q to-
bacco rebate resolution. Mr.. Saunders offered
n resolution in favor of reserving all Gov
eminent lands for actual settlement In the
House, Mr.. Kelley reported a resolution for
a rebate on tobacco in stock in the event of
a reduction of the tax, and Mr.. Kasson pre-
sented n substitute affirming that the only
reduction made will be that provided for
III the bill now pending. The Speaker pre-
sented a report by the Collector of Customs
at Sitka iustifying the bOmbardment of an
Indian village by the revenue schooner Cor
win. The Army Appropriation bill, which
sets aside $24, jSl, 400, was consideredin COM
mittee of the whole. Mr.. Hewitt argued in
FAVOR or giving Immigrant railroads for
transportation only half what is paid by
private parties, and Messrs Hiscock, Robin
son and Butterworth antagonized his posi-
ton.
The Senate adopted a resolution, at its
session on Dec p In favor of giving a re-
bate on tobacco in case the tax be reduced
The Civil-Service bill was considered Mr..
Browns amendment TO limit the term of the
Commissioners was lost Mr. Saulsbury's
proposition that the Commissioners take an
oath to perform their duties with
out political bias was adopted and
their salaries were fixed at $500 each.
The House adopted a resolution TO adjourn
TO Wednesday, JAN 3, and fixing the hours
OF meeting at IL n m, after that date.
The Army Appropriation bill was taken up
in committee of the whole. Mr. Thomas OF
Illinois, instancing the case of Lieut.. Fred
Grant, secured an amendment providing
that Aids-de- Camp shall receive no addi-
tional rank or pay for staff duty. Mr..
Brown offered an amendment designed to
prevent the appointment of political pets to
army paymasterships, but vote disclosed
the lack of quorum
There was nothing done worthy Of men
ton in either house of Congress at the SEES
sion on Dec %. There was little personal
controversy in the Senate between Messrs
Hoar and Beck, while the Pendleton Civil
Service bill was under consideration,
which caused a slight ripple of excitement
at the moment but il was soon forgotten.
Shortly thereafter both the Senate and
House adjourned over the holidays