The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-01-18
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-.
Senate.

President-One transmitting q letter from
the secretary of war recommending the sale
OF the site of the military post of Fort Sulli-
van, Maine; another transmitting a COM
munication from the secretary of the interior
submitting the draft of bill providing for
the allotment of lands in severalty to certain
tribes of Indians; a third transmitting
another communication from the score
tary of the interior submitting the draft
of a bill to allow Indian homestead en-
tries without payment of fees and present
ing the matter for the consideration of Con
greSs, and a fourth transmitting for the in
formation of Congress papers showing ope-
rations at the South Pass of the Mississippi
river to December, 1888, and setting forth
the necessity for further appropriations Of
the work. Mr.. Hale's resolution directing
the secretary of the navy to report the origi-
nal cost of all vessels found on the naval reg
lister for 1883 was passed.
Mr.. Miller of New York, introduced bill
for the maintenance and support of marine
hospitals Bills were passed for the relief
of the parents of Lieutenant Schwatka and
to authorize the First National bank of Fort
Worth, Texas, to increase its capital stock
-. Mr., Anthony offered the following resO
luton, which, ON the suggestion of Mr.. Van
Wyck went over till the next dav: That
the committee on foreign relations lie in
structed to inquire into the expediency of
such legislation as shall enable the Executive
to protect our Interests against these govern
ments which have prohibited or restrained the
United States pa. The report of the COM
mttee on rules was further considered
Mr. Dawes introduced bill providing for
the creation of a United States postal tele-
graph company under the. direction of the
postoffice department. Mr.. Voorhees, in
troduced bill to equalize the bounties of
soldiers lie said this bill was copy of The
one passed by Congress nine years ago and
vetoed by President Grant on the ground
that it would take more money out of
the than intprpSts
warrant. But there was so much said now
about surplus revenue and abundance of
money, Mr.. VOORHEES, added that he would
reintroduce the bill. In connection with the
bill he presented a resolution, which was
agreed to- calling for information from the
secretary of war as to the amount that would
be required to equalize the bounties Con
sideraton of the new rules was continue.
Mr. Call introduced bills to establish
university of medicine, and TO provide for
the establishments of postal savings
banks. Mr.. Edmunds INTRODUCED a bill for
the relief of the survivors of the exploring
steamer Jeannette, and the widows and
children of those who persisted in the retreat
from the wreck . Mr.. Van Wyck. from the
committee on the improvement of the Mis-
sissppi river submitted bill appropr ating
S1,0Oj,000 TO continue the Improvements al
ready begun 1t was real three times and
pa sed Mr.. Cullom addressed the Senate
with regard 10 his bill to reorganize the leg
islative power of Utah. the Territory to be
ruled by governor and nine councilmen.
The bill was discussed also by Messrs. Brown
and Garland. Mr. Brown interposed con
stitutional objections to the bill.
House.
at the reopening of the House session. a
resolution proposed by Mr.. Reed was adopted,
requesting the heads of departments to
furnish the facts relating to the distribution
OF circulars i'll the departments asking con-
tributions for political purposes. Mr..
Iownshend offered n resolution, which was
adopted, requesting the President to
furnish information relating to the ex-
cluson of American hog products from Ger
many ond France Six hundred and seven
ty bills and resolutions were introduced,
among them being the following: To amend
the Chinese emigration act; granting pen
sions to all United States soldiers and sailors
Ill the late war who served thirty days or
were III any engagement therein, and to the
widows of all soldiers deceased; reducing the
pay department of the army: to prohibit the
mailing of letters or circulars con-
corning lotteries, or newspapers, pc
rlodicals or other publications
containing lottery advertisements, and to
provide penalty for the violation of this
act; granting pensions to soldiers and
sailors of the late war who served for three
months, and who are unable by reason of
physical disability to earn a subsistence, or
who are siXty-fve years of age: to classify
the lands of the United States as agricul-
abolish the internal revenue tax on tobacco;
to prevent undue contraction of paper circu-
lation; to prohibit the issue of treasury and
bank notes of a less denomination than $40.
A message from the President was received
transmitting the report of the Missis. ippi
river improvements and recommending the
early passage of bill continuing the work
of Improvement. IA large batch of bills
and resolutions was introduced, among them
baing the following: To prevent the use of the
in tiGip ifnttn if,ttG
medicines; t. abolish the duty on Bible,
trace chains, plows and other articles; to
reduce the salaries of heads of departments;
giving to Congress power to pass uniform
laws regulating marriage and divorce in the
States and Territories; giving letter-car-
riers and clerks thirty days leave of alb
sence in each year; to distribute a portion
of the surplus revenues among the
States; to place coal, salt and wood on the
free list; to establish a bureau of labor sta
tistics; to establish railroad commission to
regulate commerce among the States to re-
peal the lron-clad oath; to establish depart
ment of industry. Under the call
of States Mr.. Robinson On. " intro
duced resolution calling on the secretary
of state for information as to whether our
minister's obey the law of March %, 1867,
which forbids them from appearing in public
IN court dress and requires them to wear the
ordinary apparel of an American citizen. Mr..
Beach proposed the following amendments
to the Constitution: |. Uniform laws on
the subject OF marriage and divorce: .
Giving the President power to veto one or
more items in an appropriation bill; g.
Creating statute of limitations to all claims
against the United States; 4. The credit
money and property of the United State,
not 10 be loaned or he given to private cors
porations; 3. Prohibiting the granting of ex-
elusive privileges and forbidding legislation
on appropriation bills. Mr.. Deuster wis.,
also proposed a constitutional amendment
prohibiting Congress or the State legislatures
from enacting any law prohibiting or abridg-
ing the manufacture or sale of any article of
merchandise composed in part or in whole
of any product of the soil; and Mr.. Sumner
CWisl a constitutional amendment limiting
the veto power of the President by providing
that measure may be passed over his veto
by ma iority vote.
A resolution offered by Mr. Kasson direct