Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-15
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING.
Senate Proceedings To-day.

| Senate Proceedings To-day.
| Mr.. Frye presented memorial of the Society of
Friends in relation to International arbitration
MI. HOar presented joint resolutions Of the leg
| islature OF Massachusetts, in regard TO the
termination OF the portion of the treaty of Wash
ington relating to the fisheries; also, the petition
| OF the Pennsylvania Woman's Suffrage Associa-
ton for an amendment to the Constitution ex-
tending the right of suffrage to all American
citizens without distinction OF sex.
Mr. Cockren presented several petitions OF
grangerS in Missouri for the creation OF a secre-
tary OF agriculture; also, the petition of the Of
cational institutions OF Missouri for the appoint
menu OF practical astronomer as superinten-
dent OF the naval observatory, and for the con-
struction Of the new observatory under scientific
| supervision.
THE TARIFF UPON BOOKS
| Mr.. Morrill, presented remonstrance against
| any reduction of the tariff upon books below 2,
per cent, signed by Oliver Wendell Holmes, T. B
Aldricn and John G. Whittier, as writers OF
| books" and setting forth the following reasons
First, that the prosperity OF authors is closely
their agents in manufacturing, advertising and
| selling the books which they write; second, that
american Am books demand American publishers, and
1ng checks the freedom OF writing; third, that the
removal or essential reduction OF the existing tariff
vantage over the American publisher, by enabling
MIN TO occupy the American market with books
VIII WIiIten ana made abroad at lower rate than
tney can be made in this country; fourth, that the
effect will be to force American publishers into
the publication of those copyright books only
those which serve uses as reports Of
courts and school books fifth, that higher litera-
ture will be discouraged, and that the greatest
volume of current literature, which is in the form
of reading for the young, will be guided by foreign
authors, instead Of by men and women OF their
| own nation.
ARLINGTON CEMETERY.
| tho
judiciary, made report In relation to the title of
| the United States to the national soldiers ceme-
terry at Arlington, accompanied by a letter from
| the attorney Of the claimants making proposal
upon the subject.
Mr.: Anthony introduced bill to authorize the
the navy before enlistments
Mr. Blair offered preamble and resolution, the
preamble setting forth the difficulty that exists
IN relation to the continuous representation OF
New hampshire in the Senate, resulting from the
arrangement OF the sessions OF the legislature Of
| that state; and the resolution instructing the
committee on the Judiciary to inquire and report
what legislation, II any, is necessary to remedy
the dilenlty to the end that there may be no
senate OF the United States
Mr. Hoar thought the subject belonged rather to
the committee on privileges and elections, and OBJ
Jected to the present consideration OF the reSolu-
tion; so 1t went over until tomorrow
The morning business being concluded, brief
executive session was held.
When the doors were reopened the tariff bill was
taken up
Mr.. Morrill, gave notice that If the bill should
not be passed to-day he would ask the Senate to
SIT long enough tomorrow to dispose OF It.
The Senate proceeded to consider certain nor
tons OF the bill which had been temporarily passed
Mr.. Mcpherson moved to take up the paragraph
embracing iron ore and pyrtes, which had been
passef over at the request OF Mr.. Conger. He
ensued.
Combinations by the Senate.
The Senate in executive session to-day con-
nrmed the following nominations:
q. s. Consul-Harry T. Dill, OF Maine, to be US.
consul at Guelph, Canada.
Army-Flrst Lieut.. Chas. A. Booth. 1st infantry,
to be assistant quartermaster with rank Of cap.
Reg Register e of Lands-Mlcnael Field, at St. croix
St. CroIx Falls. Wis; Alfred A. Fufts, at Camden,
VIM. H. C. Mitchell, at Reed City. Mich. null
Indian Agents-Laban j. Mills, at Usage agency.
Indian Territory; Charles Crlssey, at sisseton
John ?. Ward, to be appraiser OF merchandise at
Also number OF postmasters.
House Of Representatives.
Mr.. Williams {Wisconsin) submitted the confer
ence report on the Japanese indemnity fund bill
The effect Of the bill agreed to in conference is
to return to Japan the original sum received from
that government (S7S5 5y0OO), without interest, to
paw the cmcers and crews OF the Wyoming and
the Ia Kiang s14O,OO0 and to cancel all the bonds
comprising the Japanese indemnity fund.
Mr.. Rice Massachusetts, dissented from the
conference report, on the ground that interest
aSuss to be Ras and made strong plea for the
The matter was further debated by Mr. WASH
burn lMinn.l Mr. Kasson Qowa), Mr.. Blount (Ga),
The conference report was fnaliy adopted.
It does not allow interest, which the Japanese
government claimed
Mr: Blackburn. from the committee on rules,
reported a resolution in regard to additional desk
room Tor the Increased membership of the next
Congress, and it was laid over for future action.
SUGAR IN THE TARIFF.
The House then, at II 20, went into committee
OF the whole (Mr Burrows, OF Michigan, in the
chair on the tariff bill, and the consideration of
schedule E-sugar-was entered upon.
. The House. In committee OF the whole rejected
s6 to 13O-Mr: Van voorhis' motion, which had fer
its practical effect the placing Of sugar the free
Capitol Notes.
PRIVILEGES OF THE SENATE FLOOR
In the executive session of the Senate to-day Mr.
Edmunds called attention to the alleged abuse of
the privileges Of the oor OF the Senate by lobby
lists and others, who, through the indulgence Of
Senator'S, have been in the habit of obtaining
cards of admission ostensbly as secretaries. With
duced resolution e:that no person shall be admit
ted to the floor as private secretary by q Senator
unCll Cne senator appointing him shall certify in
writing TO the esergeant-at-arms that he is actually
employed for the performance OF the duties OF
such secretary and Is engaged in the performance
OF the same" After some discussion the resolu-
tlon was referred to the committee on rules and
ordered to be printed.
TIE REPORT OF THE COMMTTTEE ON RULES,
presented this morning, providing seats for the
additional members of the 4Sth Congress, contem-
plates the making of a new row OF seats on the
right and left OF the Speakers desk, and the filling
up OF the blind aisles This will accommodate the
Increased membership.
THE APPROPRIATION BILLS.
tits expected the House OF Representatives will
at two more night sessions complete the legisla-
tive appropriation bill This will leave only two
additional appropriation bills to be reported-the
sundry civil and the deficiency. The river and
harb0r bill has been reported, but has not yet
been acted upon. A number OF members do not
believe it viii be passed. The House committee
on appropriations this morning struck out of the
sundry civil bill the appropriation for the owners
OF the steamboat Excelsior, which was run into
near Fortress Monroe last summer by the United
States tug Fortune and somewhat damaged.
ADULTERATED TEA.
The ways and means committee has Instructed
Mr.. Randall to ask for suspension Of the rules on
Monday next to pass the bill already reported to