The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-03-02
THE NEWS.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGs.
aUNAEz

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28-Mr Ii arris
presented the memorial and report of the
Memphis Cotton Exchange, upon the
embankment Of the river from off Mem
phiS from the encroachment of the Mis-.
sissippi river.
Mr.. George introduced a resolution
authorizing the secretary Of war to is
sue rations for the relief of destitute
ones in the flooded districts. A tele-
gram from Governor Lowry, of Missis.
sippi, was read, urging immediate
measures of relief, reporting the des-
truction of property and stock immense
and starvation imminent Mr.. George
thought the number of laborers render
ed destitute to be from fifty to seventy
i've thousand.
Mr.. Garland spoke of the widespread
destituiion in Arkansas by oyerhoWs as
absolutely appalling and unprecedented.
The subject was referred to the military
committee.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Da.
Wis, of West Virginia, offered, and ad-
vocsied, & resolution requesting the
committee on military affairs to inquire
into the expediency OF giving more aid
a.. "A u how provided 70 tue VerioHs
states and territories in order to pro-
mote and encourage the organization Of
militia forces of the country and
strengthen their efficiency. Adopted
Senator Bayard offered the following:
WHEREAS, Publication has been wide
ly made by the public press of the Uni
ted States of certain alleged companies
and CO partnerships of individuals rela-
tive TO the export of guano and nitrates
from Peru, in which It is intimated that
the governments of Peru, Bolivia, and
Chill are declared to be in no condition
for the efectuation and continuance of
said contracts; therefore, be it.
ResOlUed, That the committee on for
eign relations be and hereby is instruct
ed to inquire whether any promises or
stipulation by which Intervention by
the United States of the controversies
existing between Chill and Peru or
Chilli and Bolivia, has been expressed or
implicitly given by any person or per-
sons officially connected with the gov
eminent of the United States, or wheth-
er the influence of the government of the
United States has been in any way ex-
erted, promised or intimated in cOnnec-
ton with or In relation to SAID contracts
by any one officially connected with the
government of the United States, or is
interested directly or indirectly with any
such alleged contracts in which media
ton as aforesaid of the United States is
recited TO be the condition. Referred
to the committee on foreign relations.
After some contentious between Bay
ard and Miller upon the GLAZING of prior
ity of the tariff commission and Chinese
bills, the latter being supported by his
colleague, Farley, a motion by Miller to
take up the Chinese bill prevailed, ayes
IS, nays 10, and the measure was laid
over as unfinished business.
After an executive session, the senate
adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Mr. Chalmers,
of Mississippi, sent to the speakers
desk telegram from jackson, Missis-
sippi, showing great suffering from
floods in that section. He submitted
resolution authorizing the President to
issue rations and army clothing TO the
sufferers in the lower Mississippi val
ley. Referred to committee, to be re-
ported at any time.
MIR. Hiscock had read q letter from
the postmaster general stating that IS
per cent. of the star route contracts let
by the department were for professional
bidders who invariably on an average
OF 20 per cent. lower than other bidders
even in the territory where the work
was done, and these professional bidders
sublet about 80 per cent. of their con-
tracts. It was therefore questionable if
it was wise to do away with such con-
traits.
Mr.. Belmont offered q resolution di-
recting the committee on foreign affairs
to inquire into and report to the house
respecting the abstraction from the files
of the state department of certain letters
aAd documents referred 10 IN the letteAI
- 7rssa
18th. Also, respecting the making of
any contracts in Paris, or elsewhere, by
and between any foreign corporation or
company, and any American citizen;
and concerning any concession made by
Peru to any French or foreign company
wherein allusion is made to the diplo-
matte action of the United States.
Mr.. Kasson offered as a substitute the
following resolution:
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged in connection
with the Chili-Peruvian correspondence
recently and officially published on a
call of the two houses of congress. that
one or more ministers plenipOtentiary
of the United States were either person
ally interested or improperly concerned
with business transaction in which the
intervention of this government was re-
quested or expected: and
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged that certain
papers in relation to the subject have
been improperly lost or removed from
the files of the state department, there
fore be it
Resolred, That the committee on for
eign affairs be instructed to inquire into
said allegations and ascertain the facts
relating thereto, and report the same
with such recommendation as may be
deemed proper.
Mr.. Belmont accepted the substitute
and it was adopted without objection.
Adjourned until tomorrow.