Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-20
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES.
The Senate.

In the Senate to-day the President submitted
communication from the Secretary OF the Trea-
sury, transmitting report in relation to harbor
and other charges upon American and foreign YES
sells.
Also, communication transmitting the report
of Prof Hlgard. showing the progress Of the coast
and geodetic survey
THE BANKRUPTCY BILL.
Mr. Hoar made an explanation in regard to the
bankruptcy bill as reported from the judiciary
committee He had seen statements In the news
papers that the committee had recommended a
provision that dealing in futures should be In itself
an act OF bankruptcy. This was mistake The
provision recommended applies only to persons
who are actually 1nsolvent. Unless so qualified 1t
would, Of course, subject to involuntary bank
ruptcy great many persons who owe no debts at
all and perhaps never contracted any.
MI Hale, from the committee on appropriations,
reported without amendment the House resolu-
tion for a holiday recess, and proposed to have it
considered to-day, but an objection by Mr.. Conger
sent 1t over.
Mr.. Hale gave notice that he would call It up
early tomorrow.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
The President laid before the Senate the House
joint resolution respecting the administration Of
justice In Tunis, which was referred to the COM
mttee on foreign relations; also, communica-
ton from the Secretary OF the Interior, transmit
ting letter of the commissioner Of pensions in
answer to Senate resolutions Of inquiry.
Mr.. Miller (Cal!fOrnia) presented a petition Of
citizens of San Francisco for post Office building
In that city; also, resolution OF the produce ex-
change on the same subject; referred to the COM
mittee On public buildings and grounds.
Mr.. Cameron lWiScOnsin), from the committee
on claims, reported without amendment the
House bill to AFFORD assistance and relief to Con-
gress and the executive departments in the in
vestigatlon OF claims and demands against the
government, and gave notice that he would call It
up at an early day.
NRw BILLS
Bills were introduced as follows:
BY Mr.. Edmunds. to authorize the construction
OF certain bridges and to estab ish them as post
roads. Referred to the committee on commerce
By Mr.. Mcmillan, to create three additional land
districts in Dakota. Referred to the committee on
public lands.
BY MIR. Sewell, to amend section 29S3of the Re.
vised Statutes so that the duties upon sugar shall
be assessed upon the quantity delivered from
bonded warehouses instead OF the amount entered
referred 10 the committee ON finance.
Also to amend section 1871 of the Revised Statutes
in relation TO the distinctions between sea service
and harbor service. Referred to the committee
on naval affairs.
By Mr.. Logan-To increase the efficiency of the
army CT the United States. Referred to the COM
mlttee on military affairs
By Mr.. Saunders-To authorize the construction
OF bridge across the Missouri, directly between
me as post road. Referred to- the committee
on commerce. Also {hny requesp, for the
auhlisSiOC or Utah into the Union on
an equal footing with the original states.
Referred to the committee on territories
explained the necessity for the bill to remedy
abuses which have arisen under the law The
bill was referred to OtheeOmmttee on the Judiciary
The president laid before the Senate a commu-
nlcatio9 TT from the Secretary Of the Treasury stat
oll1ty OF selling the Bridewell dock property
in Chicago.
Mr.. Cockrell: presented the petition of Hinton
Rowan Helper in relation to a railway between
North and South America. Referred to the COM
| mittee on foreign relations
Mt. Jones called up the bill to repeal the law OF
1867 authorizing the removal OF cases involving
more than $500 from state to federal courts and
CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION RILL-
At the close OF the morning hour Mr.. Allison
called up the consular and diplomatic approprla-
ton bill and the Senate proceeded to consider it.
The consular and diplomatic bill was passed.
THE CIVIL SERVICE BILL.
On motion OF Mr.. Pendleton the Senate took up
the civil service bill. Mr.. PendletOn offered an
amendment striking out the provision that en-
trance to the public service shall be at the lowest
grade and providing that appointments in the de-
partments shall be apportioned as nearly as posi-
trict OF Columbia upon the basis of population
Mr. Vest addressed the Senate.
House Of Representatives.
MI. Browne, of Indiana, called up motion to
reconsider the vote by which the bill permitting
RETIRED ARMY OFFICERS
to hold civil offices In the territories indefl-
nitely postponed. The motion prevailed and the
motion to postpone was withdrawn.
Mr. TOwnshend, of Ill, offered an amendment
providing that when a retired army officer shall
accept territorial office his retired pay shall be
covered into the Treasury. This gave rise to
NOISY DISCUSSION
between Mr.. Haskell, OF Kansas, and Mr. Towns
hend as to whether the amendment Disseminated
against worthy veterans
Mr. nP
Ing to build up mOneyed aristOcracy.
Mr.. Dunnell, OF Minnesota, favored the BILL hold
Ing that retired olcer stood in the same position
as penS1Oner.
Capitol Notes.
Senator German to-day introduced bill for the
relief OF Mrs: Caroline Bancroft, OF New York, now
resident OF Washington.
The committees Of ways and means and of ap-
preparations will hold daily sessions during tie
holiday recess.
THE HOLIDAY RECESS.
The Senate committee on appropriations, to
whom was referred the House resolution provid-
ing for recess from Dec 22d to Jan. 3D. to-day
instructed Mr.. Allison to report 1t to the Senate
with recommendation for It's adoption.
CLERKS FEES OF THE Q. g. SUPREME COURT
The committee to audit the expenses Of the
Department OF Justice will tomorrow commence
an investigation of the fee system now prevailing
In the clerks Office OF the U. s. Supreme Court.
There is complaint that the charges in the
clerks Office are exorbitant and should be regu-
lated by statutory provision. Mr.. Wtllcts, the
chairman, has written a letter requesting Mr.. Nc
Kinney, the clerk OF the court, to appear before
the committee.
THE TARIFF BILL.
The committee on ways and means to-day COM
pleted the metal schedule OF the tariff commerce
bill. Tomorrow the committee will take up the
schedule embracing manufactured wood.
THE DUTYroN B1TUAINoUs COAL
Senators Davis and Camden, OF West Virginia.
and Groome and German, OF Maryland, appeared
before the Senate finance committee this morning
to protest againsG the reduction of the duty on
bituminous coal from rs to so cents per ton as
recommended by the tariff commission. Mr.
Davis made q statement. setting forth that the
reduction would put the home product at b disad-
vantage.
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FUND.
The bills making provision for national educa-
tiOnal fund were last session made the special
order for Tuesday, January 9th, next, at pm, In
the Senate, and the friends OF that proposition
hope to get bill through at this session.
THE CIVIL SERVICE BILLS
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton said yesterday he felt quite
certain that the civil service bill Will pass the SEN
ate. He said the amendments offered SO far are
In accord with the spirit of the bill and are &C.
hlo t0f ito fr1on No Foo