The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-01-25

! House the death OF his colleague, and, as q
! token of respect to the memory of the deceased,
the House adjourned, the Speaker announcing
the appointment of Messrs. Lapham, Hubbs,
Leedom, Mckenzie, and De Motto as funeral
escort.
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House on Friday, the 10Th inst,
Mr.. Moore TENN introduced Joint reso-
luton proposing a constitutional amendment
granting Congress power to provide by apprO-
pirate legislation for the legal enforcement of
the obligations Of contracts entered into by any
! State of the Union.
Mr.. Flower \. " introduced joint resolu-
, ton authorizing Rear Admiral Nicholson to
accept medal conferred upon him by the King
of Sweden and Norway.
Mr.. Anderson KAN, chairman of the Com
mitteC on Military Affairs, reported the resolu-
| ton directing that committee to investigate
the charges of mismanagement at the Hampton
Soldiers Home. Adopted.
Mr. Bingham pa, chairman of the Commit
tee on POstottices and POstrOads, reported the
post-route bill, and it was passed.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS
Up the House on Saturday, the naval appro-
prlatiOn bill was considered in Committee of
the Whole.
Mr., Calilins Gnd.) said that he had objected
to many of the provisions of the bill of last
year, and upon examination ne had come to
VIZ SNi'''NAHiOA 'iA'iJ tiIC PACoCiO pAiL hCo NOtSC
than its predecessor.
Mr.. Whitthome TENN said the effect of the
proposed changes in this bill was to disturb the
harmony Of the service, to breed jealousy to
promote favOritsm, to increase the retired list,
and to enhance the pay of the navy. The bill
seemed to appropriate 515,000000 but he could
show that it III reality appropriated over $23-
100000, and the difference would have to be
provided for as a deficiency by the next Con-
grCss.
&Ir. Dezendorf VA member of the Naval
Committee said that the country was walked
mp, like Rip Van Wrinkle from twenty years
sleep 10 find itself dcfenselcs5 on the sea. He
was opposed to this system of appropriating
money in piecemeal for the construction of
vessels of war. If it was intended to have them
built by contract, let Congress say so, and ap-
propriate the money necessary therefor. He
was in favor OF completing all of the double
turrctGd monitors The time had come when
they were necessary for harbOr defense, for the
day Of Qualifications had passed. Here was Con-
gress trying to devise some means of cutting
down the revenues, and yet it was unwilling
to appropriate the revenue of one week i'll order
TO put the navy in position where it would
command the respect Of its enemies.
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Monday, the 22d instant,
under the call Of States the following bills
were introduced
BY Mr. Bland, Mo, for the better protection
of life against fire in the hotels and boarding
houses in the District of Columbia.
By Dir. Garrison, VA to provide against ac-
cidents from steam machinery and elevators in
the executive departments.
BY Mr.. Richardson On. " a bin to equalize
b0untles: which was read first and second
time referred to the Select Committee on the
Payment of Pensions Bounty, and Back Pay,
and ordered 20 be printed. Also, bill to in
crease the pensions Of widows and dependent
mothers; which was read first and second
time, referred to the Select Committee on the
Payment Of Pensions, Bounty, and Back Pay,
and ordered to be printed.
BY Mr.. Holman, ind bill donating con-
demned cannon and cannOn-balls to Al0is o.
Bachman Post, No 26, of the Grand Army of
the Republic, district of Indiana; which was
read first and second time, referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to
be printed.
BY Mr.. Richie, (Ohio.) a bill granting con-
demned cannon and cannOn-balls to Ford Post |
No. II, Grand Army of the Republic, at East /
Toledo, Ohio, Tor monumental purposes; which |
was read a first and second time, referred to |
the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered |
20 be printed.
Mr. Caswell wis introduced Joint resolu- |
ton appropriating 100000 to continue the /
work i'll the Census Bureau, 100000 TO be i'm
mediately available, and 100000 to be availa-
bic after July l, 1888 Passed.
The Senate amendments We're cOncurred in /
to the House bill 10 increase the police force of
the District of Columbia. Senate amendments
were c0ncurrcd in, with slight amendment to
the House bill more cffectually to suppress
gambling in the District of Columbia.
A bill was passed to repeal the license tax
on commercial travellers in the District of CO.
lumbia.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the naval appropriation bill, and it
y7&s read by sections for amendment.
Mr. Knott KY offered an amendment chang
ing the title Of the grade of midshipmen to
jhat Of ensign and providing that the midship-
men now on the list shall constitute junior
grade of cnsigns; adopted. Also, an amend
mcnt changing the title of the grade of master
to that of lieutenant and providing that mas
ters now on the list shall constitute junior
grade Of Heutenants; adopted.
TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House on Tuesday, the Odd inst, Mr.
(O.) introduced a bill 20 provide
Tor a commission to investigate the subject Of
railroad transportation.
ut provides for the appointment by the
President Of seven commissioners three of
whom shall be experts upon the subject of
railroad transportation who shall receive a
at the rate Of so a day when act
Ially employed, together with their travelling
expenses ana whose duty 1t shall be to lnVeStI-
gate thoroughly all the questions relating to
he establishment and maintenance of reason
ble and Just Interstate transportation tariff for
passengers and frcights by railroads or other
nodes of transportation within the United
states. The commission is empowered to visit
uch portions of the country as it may deem
and is directed to report its conclu-
ions to the next session of Congress-
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the naval appropriation bill, the
lending amendments being those for the grad
lal abolition of the pay corps of the navy.
After - minutes discussion the amendment
S as follows:
PrCrjdCd, That when vacancies occur hereafter |
u the paymastcr's corps there shall be original |
ppoiutmemts to ill such vacancies but promotions
nay he made according to existing regulations |
rom those remaining in said corps. Officers III the
me shall be detailed to perform the duties
4 paymastcrs under the same rules and regu-
atoms required of payInaSterS, but |
uch officers shall be entitled to increased COM
cuss,tiOn in consequence of performing such du-
Cs
On motion of Mr.. Calllins, the whole retire
lent clause was stricken from the bill without
vision
Mr. Knott Ky offered an amendment pro-
iding that promotions be made according to
enority. Adopted.
Mr. Talbot Md offered an amendment re-
Nesting the President to select from the army
nd navy five officers, to constitute board for
he purpose of examining and reporting to
Congress which of the navy-yardS or arsenals
best adapted to establish a Government