Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-21
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
MEXICAN TREATY IN THE SENATE
PROCEEDINGS IN THE COMMITTEE ROOMS.
The Senate.

The Senate.
In the Senate this morning the chair announced
that the new rules go into operation to-day
The chair laid before the Senate bills from the
House or Representatives,. one making all public
roads ana highways post routes and another to
enable the courts Of the United States in cases
where patents have been obtained by fraud to
,l alnui tGe patents on the application of the At
tOfney General.
DIVORCE LEGISLATION.
Several petitions were presented praying for an
investigation rs to divorce legislation in the differ
ent states. and to arrange for the collection of
divorce statistics.
PETITIONS.
The following petitions were presented:
BY Mr.. Hale-From the Portland, Maine, Board
OF Trade praying for such legislation as may cheek
the rapid decline OF the American merchant ma
rine
By Mr.. Logan-Several petitions OF ex-soldiers OF
the Union army, praying IOr the passage OF such
laws as may give eN-rsoners of war the benefit OF
the puplic lands.
The following petitions We're also presented and
appropriately referred.
By Mr.. Dawes-From many educational instttu-
tlons and citizens OF Massachusetts, praying for ap-
preparations Tor the establishment OF schools in
Alaska
PENSIONS FOR EX-PRISONERS.
BY Mr. Cochreil-From ex-soldiers OF the Union
army, resident in Missouri. praying that all eX-
prisoners OF war be pensioned.
BY Mr.. Logan-From number OF ex-soldlers
praying for the passage OF the bill for equalization
OF bounties Also. for the opening OF the Sioux
reservation Also. 1or land grants 10 soldiers.
fy Nr. standardization similar tO The last.
BY Mr.. Pendleton-From the letter carriers OF
AKRON, ONO. praying annual vacation OF thirty
days with pay.
THE DOORS CLOSED.
Mr.. Van Wyck introduced resolution in tie Sem
ate providing that any further debate on the Mex-
can treaty be had with open doors. objection was
made to It's reception, and the chair ruled it to be
out ol order to present such resolution in open
Senate
Mr Van Wyck appealed from the decision of the
chaif anu, on motion Of Mir. Edmunhs. the Senate
lea.e~ 10 ciGst tilt doors at once in order TO dis
cuss tiie appeal so 1T p H. the doors We're closed
THE CHAIE SUSTAINED.
The ruling OF the chair was sustained by the
Senate III secret session objection was then
made to the Immediate consider ton OF the resolu-
ton even In secret session and it for one
DAY under the rule. The doors were tnen reOpened.
RaOnse Of fscpresentatives.
Under the call OF states a large number of bills
Were introduced and referred. Among them were
the following:
BY Mr.. Dunn {ark.>-Requiring the Secretary OF
the Interior TO ascertain what railroad companies.
tiltf successors or assigns, are indebted to the
government for the cost OF surveying. selecting
and conveying lands granted to them by the United
States and to give notice to the president or treas
a patent 1or Land TO which the companies would be
entitled If that cost We're paid. Ii within two
months from the date OF notice the costs are not
paid the Attorney General shall institute proper
proceedings against such companies 1t also directs
the Secretary OF the Interior to issue patents con-
veying title to all lands granted to railway com
pan1eS which have been legally earned by virtue OF
the completion OF their roads within the time re-
quired by law.
BY MIR. Lore {Del)-TO constitute Lewes port OF
delivery.
BY MIR. .Flnerty dll>-To confer brevet promo
ton on army Officers particularly distinguished by
heroic action in Indian warfare
BY Mr. Wood, und)-TO authorize the governor
OF each state to appoint commissioners to establish
system OF International commerce. and to decide
the practicabity OF establishing bureau OF inter-
national commerce.
ANOTHER LAND GRANT INQUIRY
By Mr.. Holman Qnd.)-A resolution calling on
the Secretary OF the Interior for Information
whether, since June 1, 1882 any patents have been
issued or lists OF lands certified to any state or
patents issued to any railroad corporation on ac-
count OF grants OF land heretofore made for lands
to which such state or corporation was not entitled
Also. for all communications touching the issuing
OF such patents, and the opinions OF any United
States officer in relation thereto, which may be on
file In his department.
BY Mr. Anderson Ky.)-To provide for the ad-
jGstment OF land grants made to aid in the con-
structOn OF railroads. Also, TO reduce the lifetime
OF patent to five years.
TO PREVENT LOBBYING.
Also, to amend the rules, so as to require exmen-
bers OF Congress, before being entitled to the priyi
leges OF the floor, to obtain. an order from the
Speaker which order shall only be issued ,lpon the
eX-member declaring. upon his honor, that he is
not interested, directly or indirectly In any cor
p0ratf0n or person having Il peculiarly interest in
the defeat or passage OF measure before Congress
or the committees and ple,iging that, while the
House is In session. he win not communicate with
any member respecting any claim which may affect
the welfare OF any company corporation. person
having an interest in legislation. In case Of the
. violation of this pledge. The committee on rutes
privileges OF The floor
by Mr.. Morse Mass, by reGuest>-ro incorpo-
rate the Collateral Loan and Trust company OF the
District OF Columbia.
PROPOSED CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
BY Mr.. Cutcheon (NIich.)-TO improve the civil
service by relieving legislative officers from per
forming executive functions.
BY Mr. Broalhead (Mo.)-For the appointment OF
stenographelS for the Justices of The Supreme Court
BY ;r. Burns. [MO.)-TO encourage education and
provide national series OF text books within the
jurisdiction OF Congress.
PENSION ATTORNEYS FEES
BY Mr.. Morgan tMo)-'ro regulate att Orneys' fees
in pension cases. lit prohibits the receipt OF fees
before the allowance OF the pension and fixes the
fee at $40, except in case OF prior contract APP
proved by the commissioner of pensions
BY Mr. Wempie a. Yl-For tie erection OF a
public building at Saratoga Springs.
BY Mr.. Cox On. YD-FOr the appointment OF a
committee on the tenth census.
BY Mr.. Slocum IN. Y.)-Llmlting the time for the
presentation and payment OF claims against the
United States.
BY Mr. COX On. C)-For the employment OF
double postal cards and postal envelopes.
Capitol Topics.
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE.
The House committee on military affairs has
under consideration a revision OF the articles OF
war, so as to provide for bureau OF military JUS
tice. composed OF judge advocate general and
seven Judge advocates, and to simplify the trials
for minor Ofenses
CLEANING HOUSE.
The new 1anitOr Of the House, Mr.. Thomas
Ingram, yesterday took the force under him and
had the House wing OF the Capitol thoroughly
cleaned from top to bottom, and now every floor Is
as neat as new pin.
ONLY THIRTY-TWO COMMITTEE CLERKS.
The number OF committee clerks under the last
House was S. and under the present House 1t is but
80, so for.
CAPITOL POLICE CHANGES.
At meeting Of the Capitol police board last Sat-
urday afternoon number OF changes in the police
force were made to conform to the right that the
sergeant-at- arms OF the Senate has TO fill certain
places in the forces. The changes were as follows:
Edison, vice f. A. Wood; j. c. Clifford. vice j, r
Riley; F. A. Wood, vice Dan. ONeu j. H. Craw-
ford, vice Il. B. DOoey; A. b. Suit, vice T. H. Kelley
John c. Vital, vice w. s. WOOwine; 8. X. Cooper,
weredispla mmediatey reappointed In place
OF Others This grows out Of the fact that the SER
geant-at-armS of each house has certain appoint
ments on the force MI Leedom, Of the House, ap-
pointed Messrs SWndell and Edison In the places of
clifford and Wood, respectively. and Col Canaday
at once appointed the displaced men In the places
OF Riley and O'Netll
LAND GRANT HEARING