Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-21
IN SENATE AND HOUSE.
4 Detailed Showing of the Work Done
by Both Bodies.

\ Detailed Showing of the Work Done
by Both Bodies.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The House
was engaged all the morning in the dis
cussion of the proposition TO grant a
months extra pay to discharged employees.
Mr.. Reagan moved to commit the reso-
luton to the Committee on Accounts,
with instructions to inquire and report
whether there were persons turned out of
their positions at the close of the last ses-
sion of Congress and others put in their
places who have performed no duties.
The motion was agreed to.
One of the committee stenOgraDhers
was removed on the last day of the ses-
sion by Speaker Keifer. who appointed
his nephew to the vacancy thus created.
Mr.. Blackburn, from the Committee on
Rules, reported a resolution that hereafter
the Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads shall consist of fifteen members,
and the Committees on Banking and Cur
rency, Foreign Affairs, Military Affairs,
Territories. Public Buildings, and the
District of Columbia. thirteen members
each. He stated in regard to the increased
membership that it fully met the views
and wishes of the Speaker. The resolu-
tion was adopted. Mr., Blackburn then
called up the report submitted yesterday
for the appointment of a Committee on
Rivers and HarbOrs, to consist of fifteen
members, and after debate it was adopted.
Mr.. Keifer, of Ohio, called up the reso-
luton reported yesterday for the appoint
ment of a committee on woman suffrage.
The resolution was rejected after brief
debate by 50 yeas to 124 nays.
Mr.. Hobltzell, of Maryland, from the
special committee having the matter in
charge, reported a joint resolution re-
questing the President to issue procla-
nation recommending that the people,
either by appropriate exercises in cOnnec-
tiOn with the religious services of the 23d
instant or by such public observances as
they may deem proper on the oath instant,
to commemorate the surrender by Gen.
Washington of his commission as Com
mander-in-Chief of the army. The Presi-
dent is also requested to order national
salute from various sources through
out the country on the oath instant. The
Joint resolution was passed, and the
House adjourned till Monday.
IN THE SENATE.
In the Senate this morning Mr.. Cullom
introduced a bill to establish a board of
railroad commissioners, and to regulate
Interstate commerce.
After the mornings business the Senate
received a message from the House of
Representatives cOncurring in the Senate
amendment to the House concurrent reso-
luton of yesterday fixing the dates of the
holiday recess.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Brown to
authorize the distillation of fruit without
tax by the Federal Government, leaving
the question of such taxation to the
States.
A message was received from the House
of Representatives concurring in the SEN
ate amendment making the date of the
reassembling after the holiday recess
Monday, January Z, 1884.
Mr.. Van Wycks resolution of yester-
day, calling on the Secretary Of the Inte-
rior for information regarding the lands
granted to railroads, was called up.
Mr.. Ingalls, had no objection to the reso-
luton proper, but objected to the pream-
bic as tending to commit the Senate to
the Interpretation of the decision of the
| Supreme Court.
Mr.. Van Wyck's resolution calls upon
the Secretary of the Interior for informa-
| ton as to the amount of indemnity lands
given to railroad companies since the
| Supreme Court decision of 1915 on that
subject. The preamble was so amended as
not to commit the Senate to any interpreta-
ton of the Supreme Court decision, and
was then adopted, The Senate then went