Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28
The 6re4 prlss.
THE rORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
Doings in the House of Represcnta-
uvcs.


Doings in the House of Represcnta-
lives.
WAsnSGroN, d. G. Dec. 20. The House has
been discussing proposition oil the morning
to grant months extra pay 10 discharged
employees Mr.. Reagan said the House had
no right TO be charitable with other peoples
money He moved to commit the resolution
the committee on accounts, with instruc-
tions to inquire and report whether there
were persons turned out of their positions at
the close of the last session Of Congress and
others put in their places who have perform
cd no duties. 1t was agreed to by 11s to
"a
Mr.. Blackburn, from the committee on
rules, reported resolution that hereafter the
committee on postOiliccs shall consist of 10
members and the committees of banking and
currency, foreign affairs, military affairs, ter
ritories, public buildings and the District o.
Columbia of 10 members each. lie stated
that the resolution fully met the views and
wishes of the Speaker, The resolution was
adopted.
MIR. Blackburn called up the resolution for
committee Of 10 on rivers and harbors.
Mr.. Horr opposed the resolution. The
committee on foreign affairs might be divd-
cd and 10 the new committee could be refer
rcd the whole Irish question. This would
also relieve the Speaker of the trouble which
according to the press he experienced in ap.
pointing head to that committee.
w. L. Robinson of New York said what
he complained of was not that Congress did
not pay attention to its Irish ctiz ms, but
had shamefuly neglected American citizens,
and there had not been here energy and
patriotism enough to condemn that as thor
ouGhly as it should have been done.
Mr.. Horr replied that he had no doubt
that was so and it was owing TO the fact that
the committee on foreign affairs had no time
to devote to the consideration of that great
question.
Mr. Reagan thought the labors of the
committee on commerce, even when divided,
would be ample TO occupy the time Of its
members.
Mr.. Keifer called up the resolution report
cd yesterday for the appointment OF com
mittee on woman suffrage.
Mr.. Reagan opposed the resolution on
social and constitutional grounds.
Mr.. Bedford said if there were more fem
mime influences in political arrangements in
this country even the morals of the House OF
Representatives might be improved.
Mr.. Keifcr spoke in favor of the appoint
ment of special committee to which hight
be referred all petitions and measures per-
tanning to the subject If il were unconsti-
tutiona to grant the tight Of suffrage by law
it was competent for Congress to amend the
constitution 50 as to enfranchise woman and
the progress of events pointed toward that
advanced step in civilization.
The resolution was rejected, 1874 to So.
Mr.. Hoblzell reported join, resolution
requesting the President to issue proclama-
al,
scrvanCes on the gath to commemorate the
surrender by Washington of his commission
as commander-in-chief. The President is
also requested to order national salute from
the various forts throughout The country on
the Gath. The resolution passed.
MIR. Henley asked leave TO introduce bill
10 amend the Chinese restriction act.
MIR. Weller of Iowa objected, but subse.
quently withdrew his objection, when it was
renewed by Mr., Skinner of New York.
The House adjourned until Monday.
Formal notice of contest for the seat in the
House as representative from the first Nortl
Carolina district was to-day served by
Charles &. Pool against Thomas G. Skinner
the sitting member.
The House Chairm;,nships Announced
WASHINGTON, d. c. Dec. 24.-The com
mittees were announced in the House to-day
The chairmauships Of the various commit
tees are as follows Judiciary, Mr.. Tucker
elections, Mr. Turner of Ga. banking AM
currency, Mr.. Buckner; coinage, weights
and measures, Mr.. Bland; commerce
Mr. Reagan foreign affairs, Mr.. Curtin
military affairs, Mr.. Rosecrans naval at
fairs, Mr.. Cox ; rivers and harbors Mr.. Wi
lis postofiice and railroads, Mr. MOrcy; put
lie lands, Mr., Cobb; Indian affairs, MI
Wellborn Pacific railroads, Mr.. Cassidy
library, Mr.. Singleton enrolled bills, Nj
Neecc militia, Mr.. Miller of New York
agriculture Mr.. Hatch territories, NJ
Evans rivers and canals, Mr. Davidson
manufactures, Mr. Bagley mines and nit
ing, Mr.. Warner ways and means, NJ
Morrison.
There is about the usual diversity in Ii
views expressed by Congressman tonight
regard to the composition Of the House con
mitiees. The general opinion, however, seem
10 be that the assignments to the places hay
as a rule been made with fairness and justic
Representative Willis, whose relations wit
Carlisle are intimate, SAYS the Speaker pal
most regard to the character and experienc
of the men TO be placed and there was Il
intention TO punish anybody for his pa
taken in the Speakership contest. Membe
Of the ways and means committee general
declined to-day to express any opinion as
the policy which that committee woul
adopt or the work it would undertake to d
Mr.. Morrison, the chairman, said the NAL
up of the committee indicated what its poli'
would be- but declined TO go into details.
prominent conservative Democrat, repr
sentative from New England, said he prcfe
red to wait before talking much about the {
ganization Of the ways and inca
committee. lie would say howcv
that the composition Of the commit
was not IN accordance with Colsrrvati
ideas on the tariff question, most Of its mel
bers were not mch Of moderate views, and L
selection OF such lncu, was he thought
variance with the sentiments expressed
Mr.. Carlisle IN bis speech accepting Il
Office of Speaker. The majority of I
Democratic speakers seem 10 be content
with the places assigned them, but f.
among them Mr.. Springer, express loud d
satisfaction. The latter it is said, expect
to be chairman Of the committee ON election
the position he occupied in the 4Gh Congrc
but he was not even made Il member OF Il
committee or given another position VIII
he regarded as in keeping with his eXpcriel
and long service. The reason, it is said, "
Springer was no, given place on the clccti'
committee was that he was known to be
friendly to Manning, upon whose case t
committee would have to pass iud gmt
Springer himself attributes his excl uson
he regards it, from all important conn
tees, TO the hostility OF Morris
Mr.. Morrison declares that he had moth
whatever TO do with the assignn.c mt of pla
TO Springer. Il Is understood that Cox
New York is another of the dissatisfied OF
and that he has tclegraphcd a refusal to
cept the craftsmanship of the c>mmiltCC