The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-12-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

| Senator Slater introduced bill for the
| forfeit of unearned lands by the Oregon
| Central railroad.
Senator Van WICK offered resolution
| that the secretary of war state whether
any corporation is building rsilroad
through the Niobrara military reservation
without authority from congress; whether
military authorities have allowed it and
why.
Senator Hawley from the civil service
committee reported with amendments his
non assessment bIll and said that when
Senator Pendletun's bill comes up he will
offer this at an additional session.
After the morning hour the bankrupt
bill was considered. the question being on
Browns motion to postpone Indefinitely.
Lost, "a to 26. and Senator Hoarss bill
adopted as substitute, 81 to 80. and sent
to the committee on judiciary for revi
sion.
Senator Peudleton's civil service bill was
taken up-44 to is.
After an Intellectual attempt to lay it
aside and take up the Fitz John Porter
bill, Senator Logan ohjectlng, it was tenn
porarily shelved 10 permit the bill to pass
relieving an Arkansas railroad
The bill Was discussed by Senator Cock
reH aud others and was finally indefinitely
postponed; after which an executive ses-
sion was held and the senate adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr.. Belmont, of New York, member Of
the committee on foreign affairs, presented
his views on the Nicaragua canal ques-
ton. Ordered printed.
Mr.. Townsend, OF Illinois, offered
a resolution reciting that it is alleged
that certain existing railway lines for
hos
nations for the purpose Of preventing the
construction of competing lines into the
territories and through the states, thereby
establishing monopolies in transportation.
and directing the committee on commerce
TO report, without delay, bill prohibiting
and Furnishing such combinations.
Mr.. Strait, of Minnesota, objected to the
present consideration of the resolution
and it was referred to the committee on
Under the call of states a number of |
bills were introduced and referred.
By Mr.. Waite that no more silver be |
bought or dollars coined until the supply |
On hand is below $5O.0000 900.
Ry Mr.. Holman, asking the secretary of |
the inferior TO give the details of lands |
granted and patented to railroads. s. =
By Mr., Anderson. constituting the Pa |
,;fc rai road acts to provide that Il .
company pay the costs of surveying the |
ands
BY Mr. Bingham, of Pennsylyan1a, res
)lution inquirlng what railroads aided BY |
he Government have failed Ate construct |
md maintain their own telegraph lines, or
eased their telegraph property to teie-
sraph company.
BY Mr. 'iberell, of Tennessee, to abol-
sh internal revenue taxes and allow a re
rate on whisky and tobacco, also to reduce
he specie in the treasury to $150.000, 900
y requiring the secretary of the treasury
o pay out silver dollars for the current
expenses of the government.
Mr.. Springer of Illinois, proposed con-
titutienal amendment relative to the
lection of president, vice president and
congressman. 1t fixes the term of president
nd vice pr esident at six years, and makes
be president Ineligible to election for the
ext succeeding term; abolishes the electo-
al college, and provides for direct vote |
or president. and that every state shall be
ntitled to as many votes as it has senators
nd representatives in congress, and that
ne vote of each state shall be cast in the
roportion of the popular vote in the state
Or each candidate. The term of membersl
congress is Fixed at three years, and each
assion shall be- gin the Fl st Wednesday of
afuary. In counting the votes cast for
resident in joint convention, each senator
nd member shall have one vote.
The District of Columbia bills were then
onsidered, and thesSpeaker announced
Nv appointments ID committees. +
On motion of Mr.. Steele, Of Indiana, the
u passed authorizing brevet commission
. to be appointed commissioned officers
n distinguished conduct in engagements
gainst the Indians. The postof1ce and
ilitary academy appropriation bills were
'dered printed as if re Jorted.
Adjourned