The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-22
WASHINGTON.

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-The Senate
confirmed John G. New as Assistant Secre-
tary OF the Treasury.
| Inc Court Martial for the trial of Ser
geant Mason to-day heard some testimonv
OF crime OF routine kind, but adjourned
without bringing out any new facts. Ma
son wept several times during the testimo-
ny.
Ths House committee on Territories will
report favorably the substitute bill for the
admission of Dakota, which was recommit-
| ted Saturday.
The House committee on public lands to-
day ordered favorable report upon Bel
lords bill for the sale of that portion Of
the reservation in Colorado lately occupied
by the Uncompahgre and White River Utes
IN the same manner as the public lands OF
the United States.
Also Pounds bill to restore to the mar
ket and sale certain United States lands in
Minnesota and Wisconsin, which were
Withdrawn from sale by the proclamation
OF the Secretary of War, that said lands
would be subject to fiowage or required
for use in the construction and maintenance
OF dams, reservoirs and other works pro-
posed for the Improvement of the naviga-
ton of the Mississippi. Pounds bill sets
forth that these lands are valuable for the
timber and agricultural purposes, and
proposes to restore them to sales subject
to the right of fowage for the purposes
named.
The finance committee this morning re-
ported the Allison bill, to fix the redemp-
tiop reserve fund in the treasury at $12,-
100000 with amendments, which are to
be printed and recommended.
Senator Sherman offered an amendment
providing that the reserve fund shall con-
sist only of gold coin. and bullion. Also
an amendment to stop the coinage of silver
dollars when the amount in the treasury
reaches $50, 900, 600, exclusive OF those
held for the redemption of silver certif-
Gates.
Senator Beck offered an amendment to,
make the reserve fund 100000, 600.
Senator Feny offered an amendment to
describe the reserve simply as coin, with
out preHxing either gold or silver.
1t was agreed to adjourn to-day until
Thursday.
The Senate took up the superintendent
bill. After few remarks and criticisms
upon the measure it passed by viva
voee vote.
Resolutions declaring that the law grant
ing arrears of pensions ought to be repeal
up as unfinished business After several
amendments were offered and rejected the
whole subject was tabled. yeas 26, nays
23
On motion of Mr.. Logan, the Grant re-
tirement bill was taken up and laid over
as unfinished business for Thursday. After
the executive session adjourned till Thurs
day.
The postsfice appropriation bill was
taken up. Mr.. Singleton, of Illinois,
offered a proviso prohibiting the discon- |
tinuance Of steamboat mail service on the |
Mississippi river, between st. Louis and
St. Paul, so long as navigation remains
open. Ruled out.
The clause for the transportation of |
mails across the St. Louis bridge was
amended te authorize the Postmaster
General to pay for special service there /
not over $25, 900 annually or more than
the lowest private bid for the service.
The clause relating to star route trans
portation being reached, Mr.. Springer Of
fered an amendment providing that no /
part of appropriation shall be paid for ex-
pedited, extended or increased service, the
cost of which would exceed 81 600, unless
there has been new advertising and letting.
Mr.. Page opposed the amendment
as entailing needless expense and in the
interest of ring about the capitol, the
most damnable that had ever existed.
After Mr.. Springer had defended the
amendment it was rejected.
Mr. Holman offered an amendment au
thorizing the Postmaster-General to ter
inmate any mail contract which had been /
sublet at lower rate, and to enter into a |
contract with the sub-contractors at the |
same price for which they had agreed to
perform the services Pending action the /
committee rose, and the House adjourned |
until Thursday