The National tribune., 1884-03-13
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.
A Dali Week---The LaSker ReSOlu-
tionS---FOrfeited Land Grants.

fFnNIlN ASAANfiStNAtN
and after debate, which was participated in
by Messrs Vest, Ingalls,, Dawes, Mcmillan and
Harrison, the bin was passed.
The Senate then took up and, with but
slight debate, passed the bill authorizing the
Postmaster General to lease buildings for post
Offices OF the Grst, second and third classes at
reasonable rates, Tor terms not TO exceed ten
yess.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, on Thursday, Mr. Mayey
TEX. from the Committee on Post-ofices and
Post Roads, reported a bill fixing the rate on
transient newspapers at one cent for four
ounces the present rate being one cent for two
ounces
House bin making appropriation of s, 100 to
supply DEFICIENCIES in the amounts required Tor
rauaing and aseeriaining the depth Of water
and width of channel ia the South Pass and
other parts Of the Mississippi River and its
tributaries was PISSED.
bill reported by Mr. Henderson tNeb.l,
from the Committee on Claims, appropriating
100000 to Colonel Albert II. Emery for the
invention and construction OF machine Tor
testing iron and steel, was taken UP, and alter
debate was passed.
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The Senate. on Friday, took up, and, after
short debate passed q blll authorizing the con-
struction OF a hre-proof building Of brick and
metal in the City of Washington 10 be used as
q hall of records The bill as passed appropri-
ates $3.50, GOO for the purpose.
The Senate then took up, and, after reading
a third time. passed the bill reported by Mr.
Garland from the Committee on the judiciary,
constituting majority Of the judges OF the
Supreme Court Of The United States TO be
quorum Of the court, instead OF SIX judges as
heretofore required by law. The bill also pro-
hibitS the Judges who heard a case al circuit
from sitting on the Supreme Bench when the
case comes up for appeal
The bill 10 establish bureau of statistics Of
labor was further debated, but went over
without action.
Mr.. Dolph lOre) then addressed the Senate
in support Of the bin 10 provide for the i'm
provenent of the Columbia River
Mr. Plumb lKan.), from the COMMITTEES on
Public Lands reported favorably the House
bin declaring forfeited the lands granted TO the
Texas Pacific Railroad Company, and stated
that majority Of the committee desired the
privilege OF submitting at their convenience
their views in dissent, and the majority re-
served the right to present hereafter their
reasons IN support Of the bill The land
amounts to about 100000 acres
MONDAYS PRocEEDNGs
In the Senate on Monday, Mr. Bayard DELI
submitted q resolution instrncting the Judi
ciary Committee 10 report asaO the expectancy
Of amending the Constitution by providing
that Congress shall not have the power to make
anything but gold and silver coin a legal tender
for the payment Of debts, nor pass any law in
pairing the obligation Of contracts
Mr.. Garland Ark submitted proposed
amendment to the Constitution TO the effect
that the issue Of e. s. notes shall not exceed
$358.000,0 600, unless the bill or bills providing
for such increase Of issue shall receive the con-
currence Of two-Ihirris Of each House OF Con-
gress On q yea and nay vote.
In executive session the Senate further con.
sidered the Mexican treaty.
TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS
In the Senate, on Tuesday, Mr. Allison Ia
presented as a memorial joint resolution o.
the Legislature of Iowa urging that the Ma
ti0naI Government avail itself of the POwel
granted by the Constitution 10 regulate com.
meree between the States, and praying Congress
70 pass laws in pursuance OF that power for the
regulation Of railroad fares and freights at such
figures aS will allow reasonable return, and
no more, on the amount OF cash actually ex
pended IN the construction OF the roads.
At the conclusion of morning business, tn,
Senate, al ! O'Clock, on motion of Mr.. Nil
Ter Cali went into executive session On tbs
Mexican treaty.
House.
In the House. on "Wednesday, the 9Th inst
Mr. Collins Mass. from the Committee OF
the Judiciary, reported bill TO establish
uniform system Of bankruptcy throughout til,
United States. Committee of the Whole
This is similar to the bin reported to the Sen
ate a few days since by Senator Boarl
Mr.. IeEis lLa.), from the Committee OF
Public Lands, reported bill 10 repeal section
p Of the act Incorporating the Texas Pacif
Railroad Company, and 10 declare a forfeitur
Of the land grant therein made.
The House then went into the COMMITTEE
Of the Whole on the naval appropriation bill
the pending amendment being that offered b,
Mr.. NcMillin Tenn reducing the number G
captains to thirty and the number OF com
naDders 20 Fifty, and the providing that q
more promotions shall be made to those grade
until the numbers are reduced below the NUN
bers mentioned
The amendment was lost
Mr. Caikins ind moved TO strike out th
provision prohibiting promotion in the yariou
grades in the line and stat Of the navy unit
such grades shall be reduced to the number
fixed by the naval act Of lS52, and the amend
mont adopted yesterday reducing the sta
corps Agreed to-yeas q, nays 60.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS
In the House, on Thursday. the naval appro
priatiOn bill was further considered in Commit
tee OF the Whole.
Dir. D0rsheimer N. Y offered an amend
ment appropriating $449,52 10 complete tli
ordnance Of the new cruisers.
H.. Bedford COL offered an amendment ar
thoTizing the detail Of naval line officers to &C
as instructors IN State universities and agricul
tural colleges, provided -haf the total numbe
so detailed shall not exceed forty. Adopted
Gr. Czikins Ind. moved 10 amend the claus
prohibiting officers the retircd list from az
ccpting a position in the civil service of IN
United States, by providing that .the prohib
ton shall not apply to any officer below I'd
rank OF major in the army or commander /
the navy, Who has been retired by reason
wounds received IA the service Adopted
The committee then rose and reported Il
bin TO the House, and il was passod-yeas %
nay l-Mr. White, OF Kentucky.
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS
in the Boase, on Friday bin was reporte
granting arrears Of pension TO the widow
General Francis p. Blair.
Ihe bi3 retiring General Alfred Pieasonaol
with the rank of colonel, was recommirte
without instructions, BY a vote Of I22 yeas
us NAYS whereBpoD MT. Browne Ind INN
diztelF introduced bin granting Alfred Pies
ontOn pension of 500 month Obiectie
WAS made 10 It's preseat consideration, and
was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pc
ei0ns.
bin was passed increasing the pension
Ward = Burnett 10 500 Per month.
Al the evening session, the House pass
nineteen pension bills among them one gran
ing pension 20 the widow Of General Judss
Fitzpatrick and another 70 increase the pensi'
OF the widow OF SuEEeon-6ieneral Barnes TO s