Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-05
At THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
BOTH HOUSES IN SESSION.
MR.. ORTIZ AND THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.

OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST
Seuate.
The Senate was called to order to-day by the
President pro tampore, Mr.. Davis.
The Chair submitted report from the District
Commissioners, in response TO the resolution o.
December 10th in regard to the obstruction of New
| York and Massachusetts, avenues att&r intersec
ton, between 18th and 9Th Streets "a The city Of
Washington, stating the work had not been done
by their authority; that no expense therefor had
been incurred by the District, and that they are
! Informed the work has beer done under the au.
th0rity Of officers OF the United States Laid on
| the table.
Bills We're introduced as follows: By Mr.. An
thOny-TO promote the efficiency OF the navy.
BY Mr.. Maxey-To increase the efficiency CT the
signal service of the army. By Mr.. Hill Col J
Relating to land in Colorado lately occupied by
tne Uncompaghre and White river Ute Indians.
Mr. Garland offered a resolution instructng the
committee on finance to inquire into the pro-
priety of refundirg to parties whepaid protec-
tion under the trademark legislation the fee re-
quired by the act OF Congress touching that SUBJ
1ecti which was decided by the supreme Court OF
wise. Adopted.
was directed TO tr nsmit copies of any and all
papers relating TO the repair or Improvement OF
the mississippi river levee in 'front.' OF the city of
A bin was introduced by Mr.. Conger to confer
positive, in place of relative. rank the officers
OF the corps OF engineers Of the US navy.
Upon completing the routine morning orders.
the Senate (at :O5, by "a TO 10, adjourned until
tomorrow.
House of Representatives.
When the House met at noon to-day the number
or spectators Ia the galleries unusually small,
and the attendance OF members evidently fell far
short OF quorum. During the prayer ard the
reading OF the journal OF the last days proceed
nIlar Of ayfsr a
after exchanging New Year greetings with their
colleagues, took their seats, giving the chamber
its customary appearance OF life and bustle
THE HOUSE COMMITTEEs-A QUESTION OF PRIV
ILEGE.
Mr.. Orth rose to a question OF privilege, stating
that 1t grew out Of and affecting the recent ap-
pointment OF the committees OF the House. Be-
fore stating the question specifically, he said, I
ask Indulgence to announce that it Is my purpose
at an early day to introduce for consideration and
action proposition to change the method OF Sc
lecting committees. The vast and diversified IN
tereSts OF the country are all more less affected
by Congressional legislation, and this legislation
as is well known, is almost exclusively controlled
by the action o! committees For this reason
their formation assumes an Importance, and is in
vested with responsibility too great to rest in
the hands of single individual, however capable
and honest and patriotic such an individual may
be. AS now exercised it is emDhitically a one
man power, and such power Is always dangerous
and In conflict with the principles OF republican
government. 1t Is cur duty to see that It may not
at some future period be used to the detriment of
the best interests of the people. sAnd now as to
the question OF privilege" You have lit, sir, to
assign me to three namely second place
on foreign affairs, second place rules and chair
man or the committee on civil service reform. By
tae kindness and uuWayeriBg conf .ence OF my
constituents, have been for twelve years mem-
Der OF this House, and am now entering on my
seventh term Of service here. With two eXcep-
lions, there is not another republican member
VINO mas thus long represented his people. Dur
Ing that time have served as member and chair
man Of the committee on private land claims, as
member Of the committee on ways and MEANS and
Tor ten years member OF the committee on
1OreIgn affairs part of such time as its chairman.
With one eXception-possibly two-I am the only
session, has ever served as chairman of any coul-
mttee OF this House. In view of this
fact, submit that the Speaker, in his recent ac-
stitueuts, tor the relations between Representa-
tive and his constituents are SO clearly interviewer
that injustice to is necessarily an injustice TO
the other They naturally fee, apride and inter-
est in the proper recognition OF their Representa-
tive, and especially when such recognition
Is regarded by the custom and courtesy OF all
deiiber1tve bodies as attaching to long
years of service. For this injustice there is. how
against 1t, as now Go, for myself and nay con-
stitnent5; and for reasons SO apparent as not to
require specification, respectfully ask the House
to excuse me from service as member OF the
committee on rules.
Mr. sprngerstated that he was about to make
q suggestion as to the method OF appointing COM
IafteeS, but would not do so at pres mt.
The Speaker-The chair G0a5 not understand
tat 1t is necessary for him to vindcate himself by
saying anything III reply. 1t must not, however,
be inferred, because the chair dOes not undertake.
to ochallengc any OF the statements charging him
with injustice, that the chair acquiesces III the
views taken by the gentleman from Indiana
{Orth)
. Mr.. Orth's request was granted, and he was ex-
c'Sed from iurtner service OH the committee on
rules.
The regular order, being the call OF committees,
was dis ptnSed with.
executive communications which were appro-
priately referred.
a large number of bills were referred, among
them the Following: BY MT. Hawk-TO re-orsan-
lie the militia. Also, to reqEse manufacturers OF
oleomargarine to label the same. BY Mr.. Gibson
10 amend the rules as to tie committee On Misss
MIR Hewitt (N. y offered resolution reciting the
fact that the khedive Oh Egyrt had presented to
patra,S Needles" and rendering to His HghneSS, the
khedive, the thanks OF the people Of the United
States for gilt which only the Oldest OF nations
could make, and the youngest could most highly
prize. Adopted
BILLS THE PETITION BOX.
long and desultOry discussion sprang up as to
the power Of members to introduce bills through
the petition-box, instead Of presenting them in
open House-those holding the affirmative of the
proposition making strong point in showing that
the practice OF introducing Ji1S in that manner
nens Of ah IN e svn 5ne %
danger there would be of a wrong reference OF
bills, and claiming that the measures so presented
would lack the essential qualities which would at
tach to it If introduced in the ordinary way
The discussion was finally closed, with the eX-
preston OF opinion from the chair that the only
way to get bill properly before a committee Was
to present it In open House.
RELIEVED FROM COMMIrTER SERVICE
The Speaker stated that Mr.. Hewitt (N.Y.) had
requested to be relieved from service on the COM
mttee on public buildings and grounds, as his
private business relations were such as might
make it improper for him to serve The request
was therefore granted.
ADJOURNED UNTIL MONDAY.
The House then, at 1:40, adjourned until Mon
day.
Capitol Notes.
There YVES nothing OF special interest In the OPEN
ing proceedings Of the House to-day. There was
hardly quorum present, but quorum Is un-
dOubtedly in the city. number Of The commit
tees met for the first time and arranged the regular
meeting days.
The committee On appropriations will proceed
to business at once. Chairman Hiscock viii desig-
nate the sub committees withinsa day or so. The
first bills to be reported wt:l be the fortidcation
and consular and diplomatic bills. bill will
also be prepared at an early date to provide for
the payment OF the employ Is OF the census Office
A In, fJ1fc cifxy