The bee., 1883-12-15
Forty-Eighth Congress.
SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.

IA@NAA 1s
WASHINGTON. December l1.--In the Senate
this morning, after prayer and the reading
of the journal, Senator Aldrich, of Rhode
Island, announced the presence of his col
league, MIR. Anthony, and asked that he be
sworn in. Immediately all the senators rose
from their seats and remained standing while
the oath was administered by the President
pro tempore, Senator Edmunds
Among the petitions presented was one by
Mr. Plumb, Of Kansas, from citizens of Af-
IIcan descent, setting forth the dlsadvauta-
ges of their position in view of the condition
of legislation and the decisions Of the courts.
Mr. Frye gave notice that be would call up
on Thursday the report Of the committee on
rules of the Senate.
On motion of MIR. Sherman the Senate
then went into executive session.
HOUSE.
When the House met this morning the
speaker was suffering from severe cold and
Mr.. Cox, of New York, was called to the
chair. The reading of yesterdays journal
having been dispensed with the speaker pro
tempore continued the call of States for bills
and resolutions of inquiry, under which a
large number were introduced and referred.
By Mr.. Maybury. of Michigan. requesting
The President to negotiate with Great Britian
for renewal of the Canadian reciprocity
treaty of 1854.
By MIR. Robinson, of New York, a resolu-
lion of inquiry calling on the Secretary of
the Interior for information concerning the
purchase Of public lands by foreign noble
men, so-called, and titled aliens, with their
names and amount of acres purchased, and
also for such information as may enable the
House to formulate such laws as shall pre-
vent the establishment of land monopolies
and landlord systems in our country, and
provide against having the public domain
fall under the power of aliens.
BY Mr.. Skinner, of New York, authorizing
the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase
from the surplus revenue, at any time, at his
discretion, the 4 and AZ per cent bonds,
and cancel the same instead of calling for
redemption the 3-per-cent. bonds which arc
now payable at the pleasure of the United
States. The House adjourned until Friday.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. December 10.---On the as
sembling of the Senate the chair laid before
it a memorial Of the veterans of the Mexican
war, asking that their names and the widows
of deceased veterans be placed on the pen
sion rolls.
On motion of MIR. Sherman the Senate
then proceeded TO the appointment of the
standing and other committees of The Sen
ate. The names were read and appointed.
A number of petitions were presented
among them one by Mr.. Frye, from 20,0C0
Good Templars, asking a constitutional
amendment prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors.
By MIR. Manderson, a memorial from the
Legislature of Hebra-lza asking Congress TO
make a settlement of titles held under United
States patents by citizens of that State and
now disputed by parties holding title under
the Denver and st. Joe railroad.
HOUSE.
Under the call of States the following bills.
ETC., were introduced and referred:
By Mr.. Herbert, OF alabama, fixing the
compensation of United States maTshals and
district attorney; also prescribing the time
of service of jurors.
By Mr.. Oates, of Alabama, to prevent the
obstruction of the navigable waters Of the
United States; also 10 prevent the retroactive
operation Of the naval appropriation act o.
1882, limiting the number of graduates Of
the Naval Academy to be retained in the ser
vice; also repeating the preemtion laws and
amending the homestead laws, so that pat
ents may issue after three years actual occu-
pancy; also to devote the proceeds of the sale
Of public lands TO the education of the peo-
pie.
By Mr.. Hewitt, (Ala.,l granting pensions
10 the survivors of the Mexican war.
BY Mr.. Dunn, (Ark,) declaring forfeited
lands granted to the following railroad com
panies, and to States in aid of such ccmTa-
MES: Gulf and Ship island, Alabama and
Florida, Coosa and Tennessee: Mobile and
Girard, Coosa and chattanooga, Alabama AM
chattanooga, Pensacola d Georgia, Norta
Louisiana d Texas, New Orleans, Baton
Rouge & Vicksburg, st. Louis 81 Iron Noun
tain, Houghton d 0ntonacon, North WiscoR-
sin, Wisconsin Central, st. Paul q Pacific
(St. Vincent extension and Brainerd btanch),
Hastings d Dakota, Oregon Central, and
Texas Pacific (Federal land grant in the
territories and California;; also appropria-
ting Sc, 600, 600 for the improvement of the
Mississippi river from the head of the passes
At Cairo to the Des Moines rapids; also,
granting pensions to the survivors of the
Mexican war; also to compel the payment by
the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company of the
cost Of surveying, selecting and conveying
certain lands granted TO il, and 10 create
sinking fund for the Kansas Pacific, Sioux
City and Pacific, and the Central branch of
the Union Pacific Railroad. Also a resolu-
ton calling on the Secretary Of the Interior
for information in regard to the attempted
assignment and transfer of the lands granted
70 the Texas Pacific, 10 the Southern Pacific
Railroad Company of New Mexico, The South
ern Pacific of Arizona and the Los Angeles
and San Diego cf California.