Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-05
In CONGRESS TO DAY.
NEW BILLS IN THE SENATE.
The Senate.

The Senate.
The Senate was called TO order at noon. After
prayer by the chaplain and the reading of the jour-
nal, joint resolutions were presented as follows,
to oe referred to the appropriate committees when
appointed: By Mt. Hoar-From the legislature of
Massachusetts,, asking the passage OF a law pro-
nibiting the employment of convicts upon works OF
the United States. By Mr. Bair-From the legfsla-
ture Of New Hampshire against land subsidies TO
railroads; also, joint resolution from the same
legislature asking for the establishment OF gov
ernment postal telegraph.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following: By Mr. Sewell-To place
list Of the army. By Mr.. Hale-To relieve
ships from compulsory pilot laws: also. for the
erection OF public buildings at Augusta. Maine. BY
Alabama claims; also, to remove certain burdens
on shipping. BY Mr.. Lapham-In relation to oaths
In pension cases By Mr.. Butler-To repeal the in
terna revenue laws now in force and to abolish the
internal revenue bureau BY MI. Jones (Fla1-
Appropriating 100000 for the erection OF public
buildings in Key West, and authorizing the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury to settle the claims of the
state OF Florida for expenses in suppressing Indian
hOStilttieS.
House Of Representatives.
After prayer by the chaplain, and the reading OF
the journal, on motion Of Mt. Springer, OF Illinois
a resolution was adopted for the printing OF $500
copies Of the Digest and Rules Of the House.
The Speaker laid before the House a communica-
ton from the Chief Justice OF the United States
Supreme Court, asking for an immediate appropria-
ton OF $oOO Tor the printing OF the records OF that
court.
Mr.. Calkins, OF Indiana. suggested that the reso-
luton accompanying the communication be imme-
diately passed.
Mr. Randall objected, stating that he had a
horror OF deficiencies All deficiencies should have
thorough investigation, not only by the House but
Dy an appropriate committee. The communication
was referred TO the committee of the whole.
THE VIRGINIA CONTESTED ELECTION CASE
Mr.. Tucker called up the resolution offered by
him yesterday, referring to the committee on elec-
tionS the papers In the Virginia contested election
case OF Garrison VS.. Mayo. with instruction to that
committee to decide upon the priTla fdcie right to
the seat, without prejudice TO the final decision
the merits.
In support of his resolution Mr. Tucker said that
all preliminary proceedings OF the swearing in Of
members under the law Of Congress, and the
swearing In OF members under the law. depended
on the regularity OF the certificates presented by
each member. 1t was something preliminary TO
organization. But when the members were sworn
In. the House was organized and for the first time
and was acting under the Constitution. which gave
IL the right to judge OF the election OF its men,
OerS. The democratic party would do justice in
theSe contested election cases, and his action was
not prompted by any desire to do injustice to Mr.
Mr.. Buckner offered a resolution referring Mr..
fuckers resolution TO the committee on elections,
when appointed, with instructions to report the
legal question involved therein. Adopted
On motion Of Mr.. Randall. it was ordered that
when the House adjourn tomorrow it be to meet
Mr.. Belmont OF New York, presented memorial
asking an appropriation to secure the necessary
hospital at New York
Mr.. Jones, OF Alabama, submitted the customary
resolutions announcing the death OF Thomas ii.
Herndon, OF Alabama, and out OF respect to the
memory OF the deceased the House {at 12:40 ad-
Journed, with the understanding that no business
Will be transacted tomorrow.
District Affairs in Congress.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Aldrieh introduced a
hill the relief of lata nop
Carroll 1t Is the same bill that passed the Senate
OF the last Congress, and compensates the devsees
OF Carroll Tor injury done to their property by
In the House Mr. Tucker presented petition from
the Metropolitan police OF the District asking to be
paid for their services under act OF Congress OF
February 2S 1857. This petition is for the old 20
per cent additional pay.
Capitol Notes.
THE HOUSE READING CLERK.
Nell s. Brown, the former reading clerk OF the
House, was to-day reappointed, vice Kenyon, re-
moved.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE MINOR HOUSE OFFICES.
The officers OF the House held meeting at the
Capitol lask night to consider the distribution OF
the minor offices at their disposal but general
plan OF action was decided upon. Mr.. Dalton, the
new postmaster OF the House. this morning ap-
pointed Mr. j. r. Fisher OF Virginia. his first assist
ant Mr. Fisher occupied the position OF first as
sistant postmaster during the 10th Congress.
The clerk OF the House,thiS afternoon appointed
Mr. Ancona. OF Pennsylvania. to be clerk of the
stationery. the position held by him during the
FOrty-SiXth Congress-
THE FITZ-JOHN PORTER BILL.
The bill introduced in the Senate yesterday by
Mr. Sewell, for the relief of Gen Fitz-JOhn Porter
is the same as the one which passed the Senate of
the last Congress. II provides for his restoration
TO the army and immediate retirement without
back pay.
COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE.
EX-Clerk OF the House Mcpherson has prepared
an exact tabular statement OF the membership of
the House, showing that it is composed OF 1876 DEM
ocratS 11S republicans, 5 readjusters, 5 fndepen-
dents, (Messrs. Lyman, OF Massachusetts,, York. of
North Carolina, and Ochiltree, of TexasD and
greenback-labOr. There are two vacancies-in the
second Mississippi and seventh Virginia districts
TEMPERANCE PETITION IN THE SENATE
petition was presented in the Senate to-day by
Mr. Frye from the Sons Of Temperance, an order
numbering. he said. about 10000 members asking
for an inquiry into the working and effects Of the
liquor traffic.