Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-21
Fofty-Tfglltli Cons sress-.-First Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20

SENATE.-Among the bills presented in the Senate were the following: By MT. Culom 10 establish board Of railroad commissioners to regulate inter State commerce and for other purposes; by Mir. Salisbury to amend the act relating to longevity pay to certain officers in the navy; by Mir. Dolph to pre- vent practical difficulties arising with regard to the discharge of vessels within collection districts and not within the limits of ports of entry; by MT. Bowen for the payment of claims for depredations committed by the Ute Indians; by Mir. Blair to fix the rank of certain retired officers of the army, also for the erection of public building at Manches- ter, N. H.; by Mir. Cameron, of Wisconsin, to provide for the sales of property on the order, judgment and decree of circuit and district courts by the marshal.
 Mir. VanWyck called up his resolution directing the Secretary of the Interior to in form the Senate how much land had been certified by railroad companies since the de cision of the Supreme court in 1875 in the case of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Gal weston company as indemnity for lands sold or otherwise disposed of by the United States prior to the date of the respective grants.
 Mir. Ingalls, took exception to the recital of facts in the preamble to the resolution and Mr. VanWyck contended that it was insaccord with the decision of the court and necessary to get exact information on the question.
 The recital was eventually modified and the resolution adopted.
 Consideration of the new rules was then resumed and shortly afterwards the Senate went into executive session. When the open session WAS resumed and the consideration of the rules proceeded with long discussion arose on the proposition to refer bills for the expenses of the District of Columbia to the District committee. Mir. Bayard opposed this rule as trenching upon objectionable grounds He was in favor of leaving all ap- propriations in the hands of the Appropria- tion committee.
 MT. Ingalls, defended the proposition. In the course of his remarks he declared that money expended for the District was good investment The men who planned i'm provements or rhe District havo boon vi4iGed in the press, but they would soon have mon- uments erected to their memory.
 The rule was under discussion when the House resolution in regard to the celebration on Monday next of the ann versary of Wash inton's resignation of his commission was re- ported. It was adopted and the Senate ad journed.
 HOUSE. Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, endeavored to obtain unanimous consent to permit the call of States for the introduction of bills for reference, but objection vas made. Then followed @ long controversy over proposition by Mir. Geddes, of Ohio, to pay to discharged employees months ex- tra salary to compensate for coming from their homes at the opening of the session and returning thereto. Finally after 8 statement by Mr. Cobb, of Indiana. that em- ployes who performed the work during the last session were removed and others put in their places doing no work the motion was referred to the committee on accounts with instructions to inquire Into the truth of Mir. Cobb's allegation.
 A report from the Committee on Rules in- creasing the membership on certain commit tees so as to swell the aggregate fifty one was discussed and adopted.
 Mir. Hoar, of Massachusettes, made semi humorous speech in Opposition to tho crea- tion of Committee on Rivers and Harbors.
 Mir. Springer, of Illinois, argued that if the improvement of the Mississippi river was left in charge of the River and Harbor com mittee it would be made pack mule to carry the improvements of all the little rivers. He moved an amendment creating committee on the Ievees and improvement of the Mis- sissippi river to whom all matters relating to the improvement of the river shall be re- ferred with the same power to report appro- priations as possessed by the Appropriation and River and Harbor committees; disagreed to and the original report creating the River and Harbor committee adopted.
 Mr. Keller, of Ohio, called up the pending resolution creating committee on woman suffrage, which was opposed by MT. Reagan, of Texas, and warmly advocated by MT. Bel ford, of Colorado. MT. Keller also urged the adoption of the resolution. By a yea and nay vote the resolution was defeated; yeas 8S, nays 126.
 Mr. Hoblitzell, from the select committee to consider the subject, reported resolution requesting the President to issue proclama- tion recommending special observation of the centennial anniversary of the surrender of his commission by General Washington, December 23, 17s3; unanimously adopted.
 On motion of Mir. Moirisey. of Illinois, 1t was ordered that when the House adjourn to-day it to be to meet Monday with the un- derstanding that no business shall be done that day beyond the announcement of com- mittees.
 Mr. Henley, of California, asked but failed to obtain leave to introduce bill prepared by the Pacific coast members emendatory Of the Chinese immigration act.
 The House adjourned until Monday.