The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-21
THE HOUSE.
Extra Pay for Discharged Employes-Suf-
frage for Women.

| Extra Pay for Discharged Employes-Suf-
frage for Women.
| WASHINGTON, Deo 2o.-A long discussion
spraug up over resolution offered by Mr.
Geddes 20 grant months extra pay to dis
| charged employees, it 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, ana by
Mr.. Cobb, on the ground that it would include
in its provisions persons put on the rolls at the
close OF last session.
Mr.. Reagan moved to commit the resolution
to the committee on accounts, with instructions
to inquire and report whether there we're per-
sons turned out of positions at the close of the
last session and others put in their places who
performed no duties. Agreed tolls TO 81.
Mr.. Blackburn, from the committee on rules,
reported resolution that hereafter the commit
tee postotiioes and pOstroads consist of fifteen
members; the committees on banking and cur
rency, foreign affairs, military affairs, terrific
ries, public buildings and District of Columbia,
of thirteen memh ers each. He stated that the
increased membership fully met the views of
the Speaker. The resolution was adopted
Mr. Blackburn called up the report submitted
yesterday on appointment Of the committee on
rivers and har6ors, providing that it consist of
fifteen members.
Mr. Horn opposed the resolution Why was
the committee on comm cree thus sin gled out for
division? Why had not the Overworked commit
tee on ways and means been divided into two
comm ittees-one on ways and one means2
There could be given to one committee
all bills to build up home in
dustry. and to the other all bills to tear
1t down, and thereby both wings of the Demo-
cratic party would have a committee. The
committee on foreign affairs might be divided,
ana to the new committee could be referred the
whole irish question This would also relieve
the Speaker of the trouble which, according TO
the press, he experiences in appointing head
for that committee. rsI
Mr. Robinson, of New York. said that what he
complained of was not that Congress did not
pay attention to its Irish citizsns, but shame
fr1llxy oulaaf cd lima md fharn hos
been energy or patriotism enough to condemn
these things as thoroughly as IL should have
been DONE
Mr. Horr replied that there was no doubt that
was so, and it owing to the fact that the
committee on foreign affairs had no time to de-
vote the considera ton of great questions.
Mr.. Springer offered an amendment referring
to the committee on Mississippi levees bills M Ak
ing appropriations for improvements on the
Mississippi. The amendment rejected and
the original report adopted.
Mr.. Keller called mp the resolution reported
yesterday for the appointment OF a committee
on woman suffrage.
Mr. Reagan placed his opposition to the reso-
luton on social and constitutional grounds. 1t
was argued the committee c0uso not report a
measure which any court could enforce or
which would not be unconstitutional Granting
the right of suffrage to women would tend to
degrade them. Congress should not Try to over
throw the social statusOf the world.
Mr.. Bedford asserted that it was competent
for Congress to pass law prohibiting a State
from depriving women of participating in its gov
eminent. IT there were more female influence
In the political arrangements of the country
even the morals OF the House OF Representatives
might be improved.
Mr.. Keller spoke in favor of the appointment
of q special committee to which should be re-
ferred all petitions and measures pertaining TO
the subject of woman suffrage. Ii it were I'M
constitutional to grant the right of suffrage by
law, it was competent for Congress to amend the
constitution so as to enfranchise women, and
the progress of events pointed towards that adj
vanced step of civilization. The resolution was
reiected-yeas SO, NAYS l24.
Mr.. HODlltZel, from the special committee
having the matter in charge, reported joint
resolution requesting the President TO issue
proclamation recommending that the people
either by appropriate exercises, in. connection
with religious services on the 23d inst. or by
such public observance as they deem proper on
the Gath, CONNIE III crate the surrender by George
Washington of his commission as commandments
chief of the army. The President was also re-
quested TO order national salute from the vari-
GUS forts of the country on the 24lh. The joint
resolution was passed.
Adjourned until Monday.