The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-12-20
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.

Mn. VOORHEES, offered a resolution in the
Senate, on the 10th inst, expressing disappro-
baton of the plan of perpetuating the bonded
debt in the interest of the national banks. Mr..
Hill called up and had passed resolution ask
ing the Secretary of the Interior To furnish
COPIES of all papers relating 10 the transfer of
the land grant 81 the New Orleans and
NickSburg road. Mr.. Voorhees, offered reso-
luton looking TO the purchase for national
park of the grounds occupied by the Revou-
tionary army at Valley Forge. A memorial was
presented from veterans of the Mexican war
asking for pensions. Eight hundred and twenty
four bills and joint resolutions were introduced
I'm the House. There were numerous PROPOSE
tons TO forfeit unearned land grants, 20
amend the homestead and presumption laws,
70 limit the coinage of silver, 10 amend
the tariff, to reduce postage, 60 dig
canals, and TO improve naYigablc rivers Mr..
Sumner introduced n bill TO fix passenger rates
ON the Union and Central Pacific roads at cents
per mile for tirst-class travel. Mr.. ROsccrans
distinguished himself by presenting tfty-throe
measures, most OF which were old bills printed
upon writing paper Mr.. Springer introduced n
bill amending the Constitution so as TO prohibit
special legislation. Mr. Clements brought in
bin % repeal the internal revenue laws:
Mr. Henderson one TO establish board
OF Interstate commerce commissioners;
Mr.. Townshend, one 10 abolish second-class
postage and reduce transient newspaper post
age and another TO authorize the President TO
prohibit the importation of articles injurious 10
the public health from countries which. on the
same ground, prohibit c importation OF Amer
lean goods; Mr.. Thomas, one 10 divide Illinois
y,
10 provide for the construction of four gun
boats and three additional cruisers
for the navy; Mr. Holman one TO limit the
disposal of public lands adapted 10 agriculture
to actual settlers under the homestead laws.
Mr.. Calkins proposed n constitutional amend
ment providing that no State pub ic or private
corporation, should deprive citizens of the equal
protection of the laws or abridge the rights OF
any persons account of race color.
Mr.. McCoid introduced hill providing
that in case of the removal. death, or
resignation of the President and Vice President,
the Secretary OF State shall act Prcs
dent until q special election shall he held.
Bills 70 create postal telegraph system, and TO
reduce the postage on letters TO l cent, were pre-
scented by Mr.. Anderson, of Kansas. Among
the bills relating to monetary matters was one
by Mr.. Morse to repeal the act for the coinage
OF standard silver dollars, and another by Mr..
Whiting TO remove all taxes on the cir ulation of
national banks and 20 nix the amount OF notes
issued upon the deposit Of bonds. Mr.. Hewitt
offered a resolution that the House bring to the
notice of the President the case Of Patrick
O'Donnell to the end at he ascertain whether
he tO'Donnell) is a citizen OF the United states,
and if so, whether he was tried aud convicted
in accordance with the municipal laws OF Great
Britain and the requirements OF international
law. Adopted by an Overwhelming majority.
AT the caucus of the Republican Senator's, let
ter was read from Mr.. Edmund resigning the
Presidency pro tempore and it resolved
that the nomination be given to Mr. Anthony.
MIR. ANTHONY who has for "A long time
been on a sick bed, made his appearance in the
Senate ON the 18th inst, requiring assistance TO
reach the elevator. Every Senator rose as he
was sworn in Mr.. Sherman presented bill TO
encourage closer commercial relations with
Mexico, Brazil, and the Central South American
republics. Mr. ingalls, offered petition for
pensions for cX-pIisOners OF war At the exec
utive session Walter q. Gresham was
frmed as Postmaster General. The Presi-
dent sent in large batch OF nominations, nearly
all OF them recess appointments About 800
bills were introduced in the House among them
the following: BY Mr.. Lacey, % establish a
postal savings deposit as branch of the POST
IL 1t
ter protection of life and property on Lake
Michigan, by the construction OF harbor
of refuge; by Mr.. Taple, TO abolish the du on
salt; by Mr.. MuldrOw, TO enlarge the powers and
duties of the Department of Agriculture: 10y Mr.
Hatch, to establish Bureau of Animal Industry
and prevent the importation Of diseased cattle
and the spread OF contagious diseases among
dOmes ic animals, and also TO allow farmers and
planters TO sell leaf tobacco Of their own pro-
duction TO other than manufacturers without
special tax: by Mr.. 0'Neil, to prevent the atul-
teration of food and drugs; by Mr.. Burnes, TO
admit free of duty all grades of sugar; also for
tue relief OF land-owners whose land Is de-
stroyed by any navigablc river; by Mr. SloCum,
a bill for the relief of FitZ John Porter: by
Mr.. Kelley, to further limit the coinage of silver
dollars, and Mr.. Smith, another TO suspend tire
coinage; by Mr.. Rosecrans, proposing a consti-
tutional amendment suppressing poIygamy; by
Mr.. McMillin, to make the trade dollar legal
tender; Mr.. Curry, to transfer the Indian bureau
from the Interior TO the War department, and
for the admission OF Arizona as state by Mr.
Raymond, TO establish the territory of North
Dakota; by Mr.. Cairns, 10 admit Utah as a
State; and bv Mr. Hutchins TO provide for the
retirement Of all legal tender notes of less than
IS. Mr.. Robinson, OF New Yo:k, offered resolu-
tions inquiring about the pur base of public
lands by foreign nobl men, and asking whether
Minister Lowell received the title of Lord Rector
In Great Britain
MI. VAN WICK offered resolution in IT.,
Senate on the 18th inst, calling for information
as to the amount paid TO special attorneys and
detectives under this administration. A rcsolu-
ton was passed directing the Secretary OF the
Treasury TO show under what provisions of law
the reduction OF the public debt has been eff
fected. Mr.. Wilson called up his Joint resolution
proposing an amendmon mt 10 the Constitution re-
latng to the civil rights OF citizens The resolution
proposes that the following article amendment
be numbered Art. 10: Congress shall have pow
or. by appropriate legislation, to protect he cit
liens of the United States in the exercise and
enjoyment of their rights, PRIVILEGES and tlnmu-
mites, and insure them the equal protection OF
the laws. Mr.. Wilson addr, escd the Sen ttc in
support OF the resolution, and, on his motion,
IL was referred TO the Judiciary Committee. The
House was not ~ aession.
Nh. DULPH introduced bill in the Senate,
on the 18th inst, 70. admit Washington Terrific
ry and portion of Idaho as the State OF WASH
ington. Mr. Morrill, presented n measure for
commission on the lQuor traffic. prolonged
debate took place on the report of the Commit
tee on Rules. resolution was adopted alling
upon the Secretary Of the Interior tor iniOrma-
ton relative TO the transfer of the Texas and
Pacific land grant TO the southern Pacific road.
Mr.. Sawyer introduced bill 20 forfeit 10 n GER
tain extent lands granted To Michigan 90 build
railroad from O1tonagon o. the Wisconsin
line, in order 90 protect the rights of persons
holding proper govt rnment titles The House
vas no In session In the evening caucus OF
Republicans was held for the purpose of nomi-
nat ng officers OF the Senate. Gen. Arson q. Me-
Cook received 10 votes for Secretary, George G.
Gorham 10, and ID. W. Ramsdcl 3. McCOok was
then declared the nominee Cha les W John
con, OF Minnesota, was selected for Chief Clerk:
James IL. Young, of Pennsylyania az Executive
Clerk; Rev. T. T.. Huntley for Chaplain and
Col W. r. Canaday as Sergeant -at-ArLs.