The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-12
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Provisions of Some of the Most Important
Measures.

Provisions of Some of the Most Important
Measures.
WASHINGTON, Dec 11.-Mr. Sherman's bill,
for the encouragement of commercial rela-
tions with the South American states, pro-
vides that the President be authorized and
requested to invite the republics of Mexico
Central America, South America, and the
empire of Brazil to send delegates to a con-
vention at Washi Gton in 1884 to consider
the best mode of es5ablisn z firm and last
ing basis of peaceful reciprocal co ercial
relations, and adopt measures consiO red M
most practical to promote the construction
of an international railroad TO con!ec. the
countries named with the United States and
$50,000.be appropriated to defray the expen-es
OF the convention.
The bill by Mr. Horr, to establish board
of commissioners of interstate commerce, as
bureau of the Interior Department provides
for the appointment of three commissioners,
at salary of 81, 500 each, to investigate COM
plants ofdiscriminatlon of In railroad charges,
The bill introduced by Mr.. Strait, to re-
duce the price of public lands within railway
limits, fixes the price at 81. 25 per acre. Lands
are now subject to pre-emption entry at
$3.50.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Vance, to pro-
mote the faithful administration of public
Offices provides for punishment by fine, not
exceeding So, 900, and dismissal from Office,
of any officer under the United States gov
ernment-executive legislative or judicial
who shall receive from any railway, banking
or telegraph company free passes, tickets or
stock
The bill introduced by Mr.. Hopkins, for
the establishment of bureau of labor statis-
tics provides for the appointment of COM
missioner, at a salary of $4,000, to collect
labor statistics and to make an annual report
to Congress and the President.
The bill introduced by Mr. Rogers provides
for the retirement of enlisted men of the
United States army after thirty years service
with pay, allowances and rank had at the
time of retirement.
The bill introduced by Mr. Payne provides
that widows of soldiers of the late war who
are now entitled to a pension by reason of
the death of their husbands while in the
army, and who lost one or more sons in the
army, the sons having been less than twenty
one years of age at the time of DEATH be en-
titled to the same pensions now paid soldiers
who lost an arm at or about the elbow, or a
leg at or about the knee.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Skinner pro-
vides for the amendment of the silver-coin-
age act of 1878 so as to authorize the coinage
of silver dollars of the weight of 412% grains
Troy of standard silver. 1t also authorizes
the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase
silver bullion, in his discretion, at market
prices for coinage into dollars authorized
by the bill; providing, however, that not
more than 81 900, 900 be invested in said sill
yer bullion at any one time.
Another bill, by Mr., Skinner, amends the
! act of 1879 in relation to the delivery of
mails, so as to provide that letter carriers be
employed for the free delivery of mail in
every town of the United States
containing a population of $4,000,
and may be employed at other places
having population of not less than 2, 900,
and at postoffices which produced gross rev.
enue of not less than $4,000 the preceding
fiscal year.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Hutchins pro-
vides for the retirement of all legal-tender
notes of lower denominations than So
The bill introduced by Mr.. May ybury pro-
vides that any alien who has declared his in
tention of becoming citizen, and be resi-
dent of the United States at least six months,
may be licensed as an engineer or pilot on
any steam vessel under the laws of the United
States but provides also that if such alien
fails to take out final papers at the proper
time after filing a declaration of intention,
license is not to be granted him until COM
plete naturalization