Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-12-20
in CONGRESS-.
The Days Work In Both Houses Near.
ing the Holiday Recess.

SENATE.
Washington, December 19.-McMil-
Ian presented resolution of the legis-
lature of Minnesota asking the erection
of sheer booms at railroad bridges
across the Missississippi.
Bills introdV ced: Cullom-To pro-
vide further acceptance by the United
States of the Illinois and Michigan Gu.
nal from Illinois.
By Fair-To provide for sinking ar.
tesian wells in lands of the United
States in Nevada.
BY Ingalls-To provide for the APP.
pointment of a commission to investi'
gate railroad transportation.
Logan--To consolidate the bureau OF
military justice, AID Il corps of JUG
advocates for the army.
The bill adopting the new standard
time for the District of Columbia
passed.
Van WyclI offered resolution call
ing on the secretary of the interior for
information as to how much land had
been certified or patented for the bene-
fit of railroad companies since the date
of the decisions OF the supreme court
in 1875, which SO construed heindem-
nifty clause of the congressional grant
as TO allow indemnity for lands only
in lieu of lands originally included in
the grant, but which were afterwards
sold. Laid over till tomorrow.
The resolution for holiday recess
went over until tomorrow.
The senate resumed consideration OF
| unfinished business, being the new
rules. Frye withdrew his call for III.
yeas and nays on the clause of the first
rule lelating To three days liniita ion
OF the authority of vice-president. The
substitute clause was rejected, leaving
the rule about ~ heretofore, but when
the rule comes up in The senate, when
not in COmnitlec of the whole,
the subject may be renewed
The second rule is as follows: The
senate may elect II secretary, chief clerk,
/ principal executive clerk, chaplain
sergeant-at-armS, and assistant door
Keeper, t. continue in office until their
successors are chosen, each of whom
shall take the uaths as prescribed by
law, before entering on the duties OF
Office. The secretary and sergcant.at-
arms shall each appoint employees in
his department unless otherwise di-
rccted.
Frye said this simply formulntes into
a rule what has heretofore been the
| practice Of the senate.
Garland thought there was no ncces.
sitv for such rule.
Bavard considered the rule obiec-
tionuble. He yesterday had seen how
easy political machinery works and
how quickly tried aud trusted officers
Were dispensed with, and new men
put in their places. When the senate
had Democratic majority, changes
were made, but no such sweeping
changes rs now. Before the removals
yesterday morning, the fact was ui-
deniable Il ut majority Of the en-
pioyes of the senate were Republicans
The Democrats had removed the then
secretary of the senate, because he was
both in public and private the aggres-
sive and violent denunciator OF more
than half the members of the chamber
ami made his Office the center ofactivr
campaigning, in which the motives.
character and object OF the Democratic
majority was nost unjustiiiably as
perse 1. The change WAS Their, fore AN
unquestionahle benefit 10 the public
service. No deficient and faithful office,
Of the senate had been removed,
with the au hor's consent. This l.
| p' rhaps 10 occasion for extended re-
marks IN regard 10 civil scev ce reform,
but he thought that the subject wa.
i King deeply into the minds ui
thoughtful people of the country. IL
had strong belief in civil service ~
| form, and II he did not much mistake
| Inc temper OF the American people,
| they intend to have such reform, uno
are not going - be content with men
elected To Office by venal ma.
chnely. In other words, iii,
20 nny is not going to be run
| by political machines, built upon and
supported by political offices. / do
not want, he continued, to see the OIL
iiceS of this country filled with set of
men who are nothing but Office
brokers and wire pullers. The econd
rule was disagreed to. Several of the
new rules ere agreed to, after some
amendments in details.
On reaching the rule relating to
voting, Bayard said he had hoped the
committee on rules would endeavor in
some way To cover the case of senators
being present and refraining from
voting.
sherman sud such practice of alb
stention from voting had only been
resorIed to few times in great poiti-
cal excitement, and it was hardly
worth while TO cover such rare instan-
ces by rule. The rule on the subject
Of voting was adopted rs reported.
Further debate on the subject was re-
served for future consideration, when
the senate is not in committee of the
whole.
Clause 18th of the rules gave
rise to debate between Bayard,
Beck, Mcpherson, Sherman,
ingalls, and Jones of Florida; it reads
as follows: Every resolution ofinuuirv
addressed to the president of the
| United States or heads of departments
shall, II objected to, be referred TO the
committee having jurisdiction of the
subject of the resolution. Said COM
mittee shall report thereon within u
week thereafter, and the resolution
shall be in order for consideration
when reported.
sherman favored the clause, and
Bayard and Beck strongly approved
hcPher.on said if n majority of the
senate desired to withhold information
or If the majority wished to apply gag
law, no better provision could be pro-
vided. The clause was rejected.
The senate took up the house con.
current resolution for holiday recess.
and amended IL to make Monday
January 9TH, the date OF re-assembling.
AS amended IL was agreed to and re.
turned to the house. After executive
session the senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
| WASHINGTON Depamher III S.,ola