The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-03-04
WHAT CONGRESS Is DOING.

the petitions introduced was one from various
officers of the Grand Army of the Republic, praying
Congress to pass bill for the purpose of remunerat
ing female nurses during the late war. which was
referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The
only bills Of Importance passed, were those previd
ing for the sale of the military barracks at Sav9n-
nah Georgia. and the lands upon which they are
located; and placing General Grant upon the
retired list of the Army When the latter bill came
up on It's passage, Senator Bayard moved, as sub
Sttute to pension all eXPresidentS for life at the
rate of One-quarter the Presidents salary, but only
five votes recorded in its favor. Many who
approved the principle expressed IN the substitute
ogectiBg to it antagoniZng the present measure,
which finally adopted by 3s yeas to II nays,
Senators Brown, Call, and Davis of West Virginia,
the Democratic side voting for it, A joint reso-
luton. introduced by Senator George OF Mississippi,
apprOpriating 100000 for the purchase and dstri-
button of ratisns among the victims OF the Mlsss-
sippi overflow, was adopted without objection
In the Senate, on Friday, the oath, a resolution
introduced by Senator Davis of West Virginia, was
unanimously adopted, instructlng the committee
on Military Affairs TO consider the expectancy Vi
increasing the annual appropriation Tor the support
of the militia in the several States and Territories.
The appropriation (S2000OO) has not been increased
since 1908, when it was first voted MT. bayaru
submitted resolution for the investigation OF the
notorious Peruvian commercial contracts,
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations The urgency deficiency bill was con-
sidered at length in Committee of the Whole, and
after being amended in various minor particulars,
was finally passed.
The Senate was not in session on Saturday.
The Senate was only informally in session on
Monday the 9th ultlmo.
In the Senate on Tuesday Mr.. Window, from the
Committee Foreign Relations, reported an orlgl-
nal resolution providing for the appointment OF a
committee to examine into the loss of certain letters
pertaining to the Peruvian CHILEAN embroglo, which
went over under the rule.
Upon the expiration of the morning hour the
Chinese bill came up but temporarily laid aside
and the House resolution of thanks to MI. Blame
for his memorial address was concurred In. ouDse-
quently the Chinese question was taken up ana
continued as the subject of discussion up to our
o'clock, when the Senate, after a brief executive
session. adjourned.
Wednesday the resolutions offered by Mr.. Win
dom on Tuesday providing for committee 70 IN
qure into the loss of certain papers from the State
Department were taken up, and after a sllgnt
amendment were adopted.
The Chinese bill then came up, as unfinished
business, but was laid aside and the new library
bill taken up, Mr.. Voorhees, having the floor.
HOUSE.
Ia the House on Thursday, the 23d ult., COM
munication was presented from the Commissioner
of Pensions asking that more adequate provision be
made for the payment Of expenses OF obtaining
evidence of the extent of the disability of those
pensioners of the United States and applicants for
pension who reside in foreign countries. The Pest
Office appropriation bill was taken up in Committee
of the Whole and the clause relative to star-route
transportation specially considered.
ing providing that whenever any contractor shall
sub-let his contract for the transportation of the
mail any route for less sum than he contracted
to perform the service the Postmaster General may
declare the original contract at an end and enter
into contract with the sub contractor without ad
vertisng, to perform the service on the terms at
which he has agreed with the original contractor to
perform the same
Mr. Atkins offered as further amendment that
when a contract is declared void on account of hav
ing been sube the contractor shall not be entitled
20 months extra pay as under existing law.
Both amendments were adopted by close vote.
The Senate joint resolution authorizing the Secre-
tary of War to expend 100000 in rations for the
victims of the Mississippi overflow reviewed
and passed without discussion
In the House Friday the Oath ult., subSti-
tute offered by Mr. Kasson for resolution brought
forward by Mr.. Belmont adopted, providing for
an investigation into the Peruvian commercial con-
tracts and the alleged theft of important papers
from the State Department. The session was occu-
pied principally with the consideration of bills on
the private calendar among them being that to re-
instate Major w. P. Chambless in the Regular army
and place him on the retired list, which passed
after long but not very exciting debate. 1t ap-
peared from the speeches in support of the bill that
the Major was fairly rddled with bulets-receiving
nc less than ten wounds-in gallant charge at the
battle of Gainess Mills, and after lying ten days
the field exposed to the rain and scOrchng sum-
taken to Libby Prison at Richmond where he was
at the point of death for many weeks. Considerable
debate was also provoked by the bill to give the
WIDOW OF Br1g.-lJen. hays OF pennsylvania d pen
sion of $50 per month from May s. 1864, when he
was killed in the battle of the Wilderness in lieu of
her present pension. Mr.. Bland, of Missouri, oppos
ing il on the ground that it neither polite
right to pass special bills OF this kid but it was
adopted by the House on vote of 50 yeas to IA
nays.
In the House on Saturday the Post-Otfice appro-
pration bill was further considered In Committee
of the Whole, and after the adoption of amend
ment providing that hereafter all Department cor
Yespondence shall be transmitted in penalty
Velopes reported back to the House and passed.
By almost strict party vote resolution was
adopted for the appointment of a select committee
of nine members on woman suffrage. Among the
bills reported were the following:
Mr.. stephens GA reported bill to authorize
the coinage OF silver dollars and fractions thereof
of full standard value on the metric system.
Mr.. Money Miss reported a bill to provide for
ocean mail service betH cen the United States and
foreign ports.
Dir. Smith (Ills.) reported bill for the retire
ment of trade dollars from circulation.
Mr.. Grant VT reported the bill to establish the
Territory of North Dakota, and providing tempo
rary government therefor.
The House transacted no business on Monday
the 9th ultim0 adjOurning Immediately after the
Garfield memorial services out of respect to the &C
eaSion.
Tuesdays proceedings in the House were of little
public interest.
Mr. Calkins chairman of the Committee ON
Elections submitted the report of that committee
non accompanied by resolution declaring neither
fine contestant nor contestee is entitled to
the floor He also submitted a minority report
I..Io.;,x A. ComnhpU entitled to the while