St. Landry democrat., 1882-07-01
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THE House of Representatives resumed
consideration of the Alabama contested cleo
ton case on the Sd, Mr.. Wheeler being ac-
corded the floor. A resolution declaring the
contestant entitled to the seat was adopted
l49 to3. Hardcnberg, Phelps and Rice of Ohio,
and Lowe took the oath of office
Mr.. DAVIS, before proceeding with the
order of business in the Senate, June s. made
personal statement regarding his absence.
lie said he was suddenly called away from
the city, and his letter designating In
gals to perform the duties of the chair
on Friday was in exact conformity with
a letter from the former presiding officer
CIhu1man), in pursuance OF which member
(Eaton) temporarily discharged the duties of
the chair without objection. After brief re-
marks by Messrs. Anthony, Garland, Logan
and sherman, the Committee Rules was
instructed to inquire into and report upon
the question. Mr.. Lapham reported favora-
bly, a bill for the amendment to the Constitu-
ton giving suffrage to women. ConSidera-
ton OF the army bill was resumed, the ques
ton being upon the Senate committees
amendment providing for the vOlunta-
ry retirement of army officers after forty
years, service, and their compulsory retire
ment at sixty two years OF age. Mr.. Bayard
asked that the two features be voted upon
separately, and 1t was 80 ordered. The first
amendment prevailed without dissent. Mr..
Bayard modif1ed his amendment SO as TO fix
the age for retirement at sixty-four years.
Adopted-2S to g. In the House, Mr.. Rob-
inson La) introduced bill relnquishing the
cotton tax collected in the Mississippi Valley
States, and appropriating the same for the
permanent Improvement of the Mississippi
River. Mr.. White offered n resolution direct
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to make in
quiry as to the conduct of the 'head of the In
ternal Bureau in connection with the prepa-
ration of the Dunnell bill to extend the bond
ed period of distilled spirits, and what i'm
proper influences, if any. were brought to
bear upon the Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue to bias his Judgment so as to make
recommendation in this House which might
result in the loss OF S50.000.000 of public mon
Means
BILL making it a misdemeanOr for any
Government officer or employee, not the head
OF department., to solicit, give or receive
any valuable thing for political purposes was
introduced in the Senate, June 6. resolu-
ton was adopted requesting the Committee
on Post offices to report upon the propriety
OF reducing the rate of postage on letters to 2
cents and on newspapers and other printed
matter to half the present rates; also, in
creasing the rate on merchandise authorized
to be sent through the mails. The army APP
preparation bill was taken up and the com
pulsory retirement feature debated. The
proposition to except Gems. Sherman and
Sheridan was defeated. An item of 100000
was inserted for an army and navy hospital
at Hot Springs, Ark, and the bill passed.
tee report on Mr.. Whites resolution
relative to the bonded spirits bill was
ordered printed. The report on the North
ern Pacific land grant stated that the com
m1ttee could conceive of no legislation that
would hasten the completion of the road.
Mr.. Kelley reported a bill to make wooden
wearing apparel subject only to the same
cy bill came up and there was some debate
over an item of $32 1913 for liquors, ETC., at the
yorktown centennial. Mr. kasson, of Iowa,
gress, in connection with the people of
the United States, has received with
profound grief tidngs of the recent death
of the Italian patriot, Gen. Garibaldi eX-
pressing high appreciation of his loyalty and
unselfish patriotism. his love of human right,
and his devotion to principle, avowing the
friendly nation which has been thus bereaved
and requesting the President to cause copy
of the resolutions to be communicated to
mously. Senate bill dividing the State of
Mississippi into two judicial districts passed.
THE District OF Columbia appropriation
bill occupied the Senate on the eth. The
total amount appropriated is 1885,, 767. The
salary of the Engineer Commissioner of the
District was fixed by the House at $1,000, and
by the Senate committee at the pay and al
lowanees OF his rank in the army. Committee
amendment prevailed-26 to 10. House de-
resolution regarding the death
of Garibaldi was agreed to-. lin
the House, Mr.. White tried to
get hearing on his resolution regarding the
bonded spirits business, after which the
general deficiency bill was takenu up. Several
motions to strike out items were defeated |
Quite spirited debate occurred over the
item for construction and repairs of the navy,
After concluding consideration of thirty two
of the sixty three pages of the bill, the COM
mittee rose.
IN the Senate, June s, consideration of
the district appropriation bill was resumed
and the bill passed. Joint resolution to ap-
propriate $4,000 for relief of sufferers by the
overflow in Mississippi was adopted. .....
In the House the bill passed increasing to |
$40 month the pension for loss of hand, |
was taken up The s Clause appropriati Gl
1924 ,594 to refund to Missouri money paid to |
militia for actual service during the war was |
agreed to and the bill passed. The legislative, |
executive and judicial appropriation bill was
taken up.