The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-27
THE FORTY.EIGHTH CONGRESS.
SENATE

SENATE
WASHINGTON, Dec Ex-senator CullOm in
troduced bill to establish board Of railroad
comm issioners and regulate Interstate CON-
merce-
Senator Van Wyok's resolution regarding
lands granted to railroads. was called up.
Senator ingalls, had no objection to the resolu-
ton proper, but objected to the preamble at
tending u commit the Senate to an interpreta-
ton of the decision OF the supreme courts.
Bills int oduced by Senator Miller, OF New
York-TO authorize the secretary OF war TO
erect monument to the late Gen. Warren
Brown; to authorize the distillation OF fruit
without tax blythe federal government, leaving
the question of taxation 10 the states.
A message was received from the House CON
curing in the Senate amendment making the
date OF reassembling after the holidays, Mon
day, January Z.
The senate went into executive session on
reopenlng and resumed the consideration OF
the new rules, but after short debate the mat
ter was postponed until after the holiday re-
cess.
The chair laid before the senate acommuni-
cation from the secretary of the interior, trans
hitting copies Of papers relating to the at
tempted transfer OF the Texas Pacific railroad
cOmpany's land grant TO the Southern Pa ific
railroad company in Arizona, New MeGic and
California. The secretary concludes his CON-
municatiOn with the statement that RIO action
was taken by the department on the subject
The Senate concurred i'll Joint resolution of
the house relating to the celebration of cen
tenniary of the surrender by Washington OF
his commission as commander in chief Of the
patriot forces of America.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
A long discussion sprung MP over resolu-
ton, offered by MIR. GeddeS, to grant months
extra pay to discharged employees, 1t being
advocated by Messrs. Geddes and Keller and
opposed by Mr.. Reagan, on the ground that the
House had no right TO be charitable with other
peoples money, and by Mr.. Cobb, on the ground
that it would include in its provisions persons
put on the rolls at the close of last session. MIR.
Reagan moved to commit the resolution to the
committee on accounts, with instructions to in
quire and report whether there were persons
turned out Of positions at the close OF last SEES
formed no duties. Agreed to.
Mr.. Blackburn, from the committee on rules,
reported resolution that hereafter the com
mittee on pOstoffices and post roads to consist
of fifteen members, the committees on bank
ing and currency, foreign affairs, military at
fairs, territories public buildings, ond District
of Columbia of thirteen members each. He
stated the increase of membership full y met
the views Of the speaker. The resolution was
adopted.
Mr.. Blackburn called up the report submitted
yesterday for the appointment of a committee
on rivers and harborS 10 consist OF fifteen MEM
bers.
Mr. Horr opposed the bill. Why was the
committee on commerce singled out for divi-
sion? Why had not the Overworked committee
on ways and means been divided into two COM
mittees. one or ways, one ON means? There
could be given to one cOmmil tee all the bills to
build up home industry, and the other all to
tear it down, thereby both wings of the Dem
Ocratic party would have cOmmitte. laugh
Tie committee on foreign affairs might be
divided into two new committees to whom
could be referred the whole Irish question.
This also relieves the speaker from the trouble
which according to the press he experienced in
appointing the head of that committee.
Mr.. Robinson, of New York, said what he
complained of was not that Congress did not
pay attention to its Irish citizens, nut shame
fully neglected the American citizens, and that
there had not been energy and patriotism
enough to condemn that which should have
been done.
Mr.. Hoar replied that that was so, and it is
owing to the fact that the committee on foreign
affairs had no time to devote to the considera-
ton of the great question.
Mr.. Springer offered an amendment refer
ring to the committee on Mississippi leveeS the
bill making an appropriation for Improvement
of the Mississippi. He considered the improve
ment of this great highway question of sui1i-
cient Importance to be Worry of special COM
mittee. AT present the Mississippi appropria-
ton is used as pack-mule to carry through the
appropriations of other streams. The MiSSiS-
Sippt river should stand on Its own merits as
national highway and have all the fostering
was rejected and the original report adopted.
Mr. kefer called up the resolution reported
yesterday for the appointment Of committee
on woman suffrage.
Mr.. Reagan placed his opposition to the re-
solution on social and constitutional grounds
and argued the committee could not report a
measure which any court could enforce, or
which would not be unconstitutional. He pro-
tested against kicking about the poor old con-
sJitutiOn which had been so long for.
gotten. Granting the right of suf-
frage to woman would tend to degrade
them. Congress should not try TO Overdo their
social status in the world.
Mr.. Bedford asserted that it was compe-
tent for Congress to pass a law prohibiting the
state from depriving women Of participating
in its government. If there was more female
influence in the political arrangement of the
country, even the morals Of the House Of Rep
resentatives might improve.
Mr.. Keller spoke in favor of the appointment
of committee to which should be referred all
petitions and measures pertaining to the sub
ject of woman suffrage, and If 1t was uncOnSti-
tutional to grant the right of suffrage by law it
was competent for Congress to amend the con
Stitution so as to enfranchise women, and the
progress OF events pointed towards that ad-
vanced step in civilization.
The resolution was rejected-yeaS IS, nays
1874
Mr.. Howlitzell, from the special committee
having the matter in charge, reported on the
joint resolution requesting the president
ng fkHat R te pe6Pie e}ter mfnG
pirate exercises in connection with re-
figious services on the 23rd inst, or by such
public observance as they may deem proper
on the 9th to commorate the surrender by
Washington of his commission as commander
in chief of the army. The president is also re-
quested to order national salute from various
forts in the country on the 24th. The joint res
olution passed.
Mr. Henley asked leave to introduce bill
to amend an act of a certain treaty OF stipula-
ton with the Chinese.
Mr. Weller objected, but subsequently with
drew his objection when it was renewed by
Mr.. Skinner, of New York.
Adjourned until Monday.