National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-11
DoINas Az TIE CAPITAL.
The West Point bill Passes the House-Da
kota and Interstate Commerce.


Mr. Sherman presided over the senate yes
terday, having been designated for that pur.
pose by vico President Edmuuds, under the
rule.
The chair laid before the senate an invita-.
ton to that body from the commissioners OF
the New Orleans Exposition to participate in
the opening Of the Exposition on the 10th In.
slant The communication was laid on the
table.
The house Joint resolution for continuing
the work Of the census bureau was laid before
| the senate, read three times, and passed.
Mr. Blair submitted u resolution, which
| went over till today, instruC,ing the COM
mit!ee mite on naval affairs to investigate Capt
JOhn EflCssOns new system of naval defense,
especially his submarine gun and torpedo,
ana 10 inquire whether the same are about to
be purchased Tor the exclusive use of any
foreign power, and whether prudent provision
lot the national defense requires the purchase
mcnt.
Mr. Vest, on behalf Of tho committee on
commerce, requested that that commit
zee be discharged from consideration Of the
interoceanic ship railway bill. It was so
ordered and the bill was also ordered TO be
Withdrawn from the files OF the senate.
On motion OF Mr.. slller,t the senate then took
UP the oregon Central land forfeiture bill. At
2oglock the bill was laid aside uutll to-day,
and the Dakota bill was taken up
NJ. Vest addressed the senate In opposition
10 the admission OF Dakota Addressing him
sen 10 the merits OF the question he said that
the constitution had placed no Limitation on
lhe power OF congress to admit new states
lhere was no need ior the admission of new
states In order 10 strengthen the union. The
population was not enough to entitle II TO
representative in congress. The demands said
to nave been made since 1870 for the adms-
SION OF the territory had been the demands of
ambitious politicians. Gen. Grant had been
credited, Mr. Vest said, with the statement
while president, that Dakota gave him more
trouble than all the other territories put to-
gether that the trouble there wa, thai there
were two streets in Yankton, and when one
street did anything or got anything done the
other street rebelied, aud Il would require
almost all the civil aud military power OF the
United states to keep peace between the fac
Mr.. Vest sent to the desk and the secretary
read number Of petitions opposing the ad-
lnlsslOn OF the territory and ascribing the de-
stelor admission to the ambition of politicians
VINO wished TO go to the United States congress.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Vests remarks the
senate, on motion OF Mr.. Morrill,, at $3.50 p. m,
went into executive session, and when, at i:30,
lhg doors were reopened the senate adjourned.
lhe speaker laid before the house yesterday
communication from A. NJ. Scales represen.
tative from the iifth district of North Carolina,
announcing that he had forwarded to the gov.
egnor OF that state his resignation, to take
effect Dec. 30. Laid on the table.
Inc house then, at lib, went into commit
tee of the whole (Sir. Cox, of New York, in the
chair) on the military academy appropriation
phi. IL appropriates S3O9,7 being reduce
tlOn Oi ", IS2 from the appropriation for the
current year, and SS3, ,j73 less than the estimate.
MT: Keller offered an amendment providing
that hereafter all appointments to the grade OF
second Lieutenant in the army shall be con.
nned 10 graduates of the military academy
ana 10 merltOrious non-commissioned officers
TtcOinlnelded Tor promotion in the manner
now provided by law.
Mr kosecrans suggested that the amend.
ment be modified by including enlisted men
within It's provisions, aud by making the law
lnapplieable In time of foreign war.
Mr Keller accepted the suggestion, and the
amendment as modified was adopted
Al lao the committee rose and reported the
bill to the house.
A. yea and nay vote having been demanded
on MI keiieT's amendment agreed to in COM
mittee, II was detuated-yeas IS, nays l5O.
The bill was then passed.
Mr. Morrison offered a resolution providing
Tor holiday recess from the 23d of December
until the 9th Of January. Referred.
MI Cox, OF New York, chairman OF the COM
mittee on naval affairs, reported back reso.
luton asking the President for information
showing the authority of law by which certain
comnodores oil the navy have been given the
rank OF acting rear admiral when, as is al.
legged, no vacancy existed TO justify such
action. Adopted.
The house then resumed consideration OF the
Interstate commerce bill.
Mr.. Reagan expressed the hope that a vote
Oh the bill would be reached to-day
Mt. Townshend said that In that case he
would call up the Mexican pension bill as
soon as the pending measure had been dis.
posed of.
Mr.. Stewart, of Vermont, took the floor with
mission.
Mr., Turner, of Kentucky, supported the sub
stitute.
rutg, nu With the exception OF that portion Of 1t