Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-12-21

Mr.. Springer of Illinois, proposed a constitu-
tional amendment relative TO election of the ex-
ecutive and vice president II fixes the term Of
the president and vice president to six wears
and makes the president eligible for the next
term. II abolishes the electoral college and
provides for direct vote of the president; every
state shall be entitled to as many votes as II has
representatives and senators In congress, and
the vote OF each state shall be In proportion to
the popular vote. The term of members OF
congress Is fixed at three years. In counting
the votes cast for president In Joint convention
each senator and member shall have one vote
The postoffce and military academy bills were
ordered printed.
SENATE.-Dec. l2.-Mr. Beck's reso-
luton concerning political assessments, was
temporarily laid over. Mr.. West of Missouri,
submitted resolution instructing the commit
tee on territories 10 report AS to the legislation
necessary TO protect property and enforce the
law In the Yellowstone park, and whether the
area OF the park should be extended. Referred.
bill was proposed TO equalize the pay OF chap
lans in the navy with that OF army chaplains.
After some discussion II was laid aside TO take
up Pendleton's civil service measure. A lengthy
debate ensued, addressed by Pendeton, Allison,
Sherman and others. Various amendments
were offered for certain sections. Mr. Pendle-
ton Is very confident, and believes its passage
would hasten the day Of Democratic triumph;
but eyed II he thought otherwise would still
urge Its passage on the ground OF loyalty to his
country. Mr.. Plumb of Kansas, introduced
bill TO authorize the establishment OF a home
for INDECENT soldiers and sailors In Kansas. A
memorial OF the board Of trade OF Chicago was
submitted In favor of the Lowell bankruptcy
bill.
HoUsE-The postoffice, agricultural and mil
itary academy appropriation bills were referred
to the committee OF the whole. Mr. Henderson,
of Illinois, reported back the resolution, under
the act Of August Z, 1882, calling on the secre-
tary OF war to ascertain what action had been
taken to relieve certain soldiers from the charge
of desertion. II was adopted without any dis
| cussion. Mr. McCook of New York, from the
| committee on military affairs reported a bill
authorizing the board Of commissioners OF the
| soldiers home to sell the Harrodsburg Spring
| property belonging TO the soldiers home. The
committee of the whole are now considering the
| matter. Considerable time was occupied In the
discussion of the bill providing for the erection
OF Congressional library building. Several
| amendments were submitted and disposed OF,
but final action on the measure was deferred
SENATE.-Dec. 13.-More petitions
for an increase of pension to one-armed and
one-legged soldiers, and In relation TO the To-
bacco tax were presented to-day. Mr.. ingalls,
of Kansas introduced a bill to compel prosecu-
ton proceedings In bankruptcy TO a final de-
| cree. The bill was referred to the proper com
| mittee. Mr.. Beck's resolution for the investi-
CATION of political assessments came up, the
question at issue being to refer the original
| resolution, together with the substitute offered
by Mr.. Hale, of Maine, to the committee on
judiciary. After some debate this was adopt.
ed. The consideration OF the civil service re-
form bill introduced by Mr.. Pendleton, of Ohio
was resumed Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut
argued that something must be done toward
reform To continue the present system wa
impossible, not only because Of the evils already
developed under IL, but a change was neces
sary as result Of the remarkable growth of tn,
country and consequent increase In the number
OF offices. He believed the time for action wa,
at hand, and he hoped the bill would pass
Several amendments were adopted. Mr.. Hoal
waived mis- amendment offered yesterday, pro
viding that competitive examinations shall b,
on subjects embraced in common school edu
cation, In favor of one offered by Mr.. Logan, o
Illinois, providing that the examination should
be Of practical character, and relate TO mat
tiers which will test the relative fitness of ap
plicants for the duties OF the service. Thi
amendment Logan thought, ought to be in thu
law compelling the President and commission
TO enforce such examination. These amend
ments were agreed TO by Mr.. Pendleton. Mr.
Allison of Iowa, explained that the object o
his amendment on the Pendleton bill was u
provide for three commissioners instead of five
and the selection Of those not connected witt
the department. The subject was under con
sideration when the senate adjourned.
|. HoUsE.-The congressional library bill cam
up as unfinished business, and after some dis
cussion a vote was taken which has the effect o
recommitting the bill with instr uctions TO re
port back a bill for erection Of the library Of
ground belonging TO the United States Il
Washington. The agricultural appropriation
bill was PISSED, and after being referred to tn
committee OF the whole, and reported back, tn
military academy appropriation bill also pass
ed. A resolution offered by Mr.. Randall O
Pennsylvania was adopted requesting the sec
rotary OF the treasury TO ascertain the amour
, | nal for on INN
from and 10 the United States for the yea
ending Jnne 80, 1882. A petition OF importer
and jobbers OF tobacco were presented by Nj
O'Neil OF Pennsylvania asking rebate equiva
lent TO such reduction as may be made in th
, tax
SENATE.-Dec. 14.--The bill to pro
mote the efficiency OF navy chaplains by increas
!, ing the salaries was rejected. Military and as
ricultural appropriation bills were referred :
the proper committees. The bill on the caller
dar to provide for ascertainment OF claims G
, American citizens for French spoiations cam
up but was again laid over. The princips
work In the Senate to-day was the discussion @
the Pendleton civil service reform. Mr.. Hoa
believed that the passage of the bill woul
: mark an important era in American politics an
might almost be regarded as the adoption OF
new and better constitution. Mr.. Brown,
, Democrat from Georgia, opposed the bill, b.
; lieving the object of the bill was to grant pei
manent tenure OF office to the Republicans, an
that party was clearly minority Of the peopl
: of this country. Senator George Of Missouri
thought there might be some objection to cel
! tain sections of the bill which prohibit comp,
tition by all for offices Of every grade. MI
Brown offered an amendment striking out th
! provision that entrance to service shall be
, the lowest grade, granting competition fo
offices OF all grades, and that examinations
open to all; also an amendment authorizing r,
movals by the President without assignment {
| cause At this point the matter was table
and the Senate adjourned.
D HOUsE.-A resolution offered by MI
Epson Of Texas authorizing the postmaster
general TO report all failures to carry out col
tracts for carrying mails since July, 1882, tn
names OF the delinquents, and other informs
ton on the subject, was referred. Upon mt
; ton of Mr.. Caswell of Wisconsin. the Hous
' went into committee Of the whole for the dii
! cussion Of the postoffice appropriation bill. .
debate of considerable length and very interes
ing, ensued, and without closing the geners
discussion the committee rose. bill was II
. troduced providing for the forwarding of letter
on which postage was not paid, and one AT
, thorizng the placing Of Robert Smalls on th
{ retired list OF the navy, were referred. A pet
ton Of the tobacco manufacturers of Detroit
asking for speedy legislation on the tobacco Ia
r question was presented by Mr.. Lord of Micf
! Mr. Converse OF Ohio introduced bill grantin
: the right Of way to the Columbus and Easter
J railway company through the Columbus bal
racks grounds. At the adjournment the posi-
Office appropriation bill was still being col
sidered.
SENATE. 15.-The Tobacco
trade vt Cincinnati presented petition for a n
peal of the tax on tobacco. Mr.. Ferry of Micf
igan, reported favorably the bill making 1t a
offense punishable by fine and imprisonment
; placed on the calendar. Mr.. Anthony Of Rhod
' Island reported an amendment on the resolr