The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-12-21
AT THE CAPITAL.
Proceedings in the House, Enlivened
by Congressman Horr,
Who Proposes Some unique Com
mittee Changes of
RepOrt----CapitGI
News Notes.

WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. Dec. elm the
senate, among the bills presented were the
following; by Cullom, to establish q board
of railroad commissioners to regulate
inter state commerce and for other purposes;
by Dolph, to prevent practical difficulties
arising with regarl to the discharge of
vessels within collection districts aud not
within the limits Of ports Of entry.
Van Wyck's resolution, calling on the secre-
tary Of the interior for information regard
ing lands granted to railroads, was called up.
ingalls, had no objection to the resolution
proper, but objected to the preamble as tend
ing to commit the senate to an interpreton of
a decision of the supreme court
In the house long discussion sprung w
over the resolution offered by Or Ged1es to
grant months extra pay to discharged an
p1oyes, it being advocated by Messrs. Geides
ard Keifer and opposed by Reagan on the
ground that the house had no ri sht to be
charitable with other peoples money, and by
Mr.. Cobb, on thu ground that it would in
clude in its provisions persons put on the
rolls at the close Of the last session.
Reagan moved to commit the resolution to
the committee on accounts, with instructions
to inquire AMI report whether there We're
persons turned out Of positions at the close OF
last session and others put in their places who
performed no duties. Agreed tolls to 81.
Blackburn, from the committee on rules,
reported a resolution that hereafter the COM
mittee on postofiices and postroads consist
Of fifteen members; and the com
mittees on banking and currency,
foreign affairs, military affairs, ter
ritories, public buildings, ID District Of
Columbia, of thirteen members each. He
stated that the increased membership fully
met the views of the speaker The resola-
ton was adopted.
Blackburn called up the report relating to
the appointment of the committee on rivers
and harbors to consist of fifteen members.
Horr opposed the resolution. Why should
the committee on commerce be singled
out for division! Why had not
the overworked committee on ways
and means been divided into two commit as,
one on ways and one on means! There could
be given one committee all the bills to build
up home industry, and to the other ali to tear
it down, and thereby both wings Of the Dem
ocratic party would have committee.
daughter
1t was recently published that ex Gov. Cur
tin, Of Pennsyl Iania, and Gen. Eaton, Of
Connecticut, had asserted that they would
not serve as members OF the COMMITTEES on
foreign affairs in the event OF the selection of
Hon. Perry Belmont Is chairman. Both OF
these gentlemen, when approached on the sub
iect, denied very emphaticaiiy to have
made use of any. such remarks or anything
that could be construed to mean what Was
reported. Said ex.-Gov. Curtin, when spoken
to respecting the matter: y did not Know
that such a statement had been puD, she'd
and | thank you for calling ny attention to
it, There is no truth in it whatever"
The senate confirmed the following nom. ma
tions Benjamin Butterworth, of Ohio, 10 lie
commissioner of patents, and Frank 2. Con
ger, OF Michigan, to be Postmaster at Wash
ington City.
Ex-Governor Lowe. Of Iowa, is still sink
ing, and death is momontarily expected. He
has given directions Cor his funeral.
Cox, Of New York, has prepared bid
which provides that for the par
pose of placing letter-carriers upol
an equal footing with Other
employees of the government after
one years service they are granted ;
leave of absence annually of thirty days
with pay"
The total number of distilleres in tn
country on December lSt was 5Gj, against 81
at the same time last year, with a total dali,
producing capacity OF 2o9, 900 gallons, agains
2G:} 600 the veal. before