The National tribune., 1884-12-18
XLVIIIth CONGRESS.
Admission of Dakota Spanish Treaty.
Pension Appropriation.

"WEDNESDAY, Dec. I0.-Sen. Vest addressed
the Senate in opposition to the admission OF
Dakota. There was nothing of partisanship, he
said, in his opposition. He did not pretend to be
free from partisanship; he was devoted to the
principles of the Democratic party, but he was
here to discuss the question entirely on its
merits. The Constitution had placed no llmita-
tion on the power of Congress to admit new
States the action of Congress as to the admis-
sion of States in the past was the criterion Ior
the present. There was no need to-day for the
admission of new States in order to strengthen
the Union, and there was no need to rush this
Territory into the condition of State; the
population was not enough to entitle it to q
Representative in Congress, and it would, to 8
certain extent be disfranchisement Of States
already in the Union to give the present popu-
lation of Dakota two Representatives IN the
United States Senate as well as Representa-
tive in the lower House Of Congress. Sen. Vest
sent to the desk and the Secretary read num-
Der of petitions, opposing the admission of the
Territory, and ascribing the desire for admis-
sion to the ambition of politicians who wanted
to go to Congress-. Continuing, Sen. Vest said
the project to divide the Territory was unneces-
sary. There was no natural barriers, mountain
or river, or interest or sentiment, to divide the
Territory or people. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Morrison the Com
mittee Of the Whole was discharged from fur
ther consideration of the Presidents annual
message. Mr. Morrison then offered resolu-
tion, which was adopted, distributing the mes
sage appropriately among the Standing and
Select Committees The House resumed con-
sideration of the interstate commerce bill. MIR.
Townshend said he would call up the Mexican
pension bill as soon as the pending measure was
disposed of. The Speaker laid before the House
a message from the President, transmitting the
report of the Secretary of State, showing the
necessity of immediate legislation for the pur-
pose of bringing the statute of the United States
under conformity with international legislation
for preventing collisions at sea, which had been
adopted by all the leading maritime powers of
the world except this country. Referred. Ad-
journed.
THURSDAY, Dec. lin tho Senate, VIM.
Van Wyck offered resolution that the Span
ish treaty be considered with open doors, which
went over on objection of Mr. Wilson. Mr.
Blairs resolution, offered on the preceding day,
directing the Committee on Naval Affairs to
examine Capt. Ericssons inventions relating to
guns, torpedoes, ETC., was agreed to. After the
morning hour the bill providing for the admis-
sion of Dakota was taken up and discussed for
some time. A resolution was introduced by
Mr.. Sherman appointing the 21st of February
next for the ceremonies connected with the
dedication of the Washington Monument-the
22d being on Sunday. The Senate then ad-
journed until Monday.
In the House, Mr.. Hancock, from the Com
mittee on Appropriations, reported the invalid
pension appropriation bill, and it was referred
to the Committee of the Whole.
[The bill appropriates S60,OO0,0o0 for pen
sions. 1t does not appropriate any unexpended
balance that may be ON hand at the end of the
present fiscal year. 1t is estimated that this
balance will amount to about $50, 100000. 1t
will be placed in the surplus fund OF the
Treasury. For several years past the unex-
pended balances have been reappropriated for
the use of the Pension Bureau. At the end of
the last fiscal year the balance in hand was
$6S 250,000, and at the end Of the preceding
fiscal year it was $4,000, 600.
The discussion of the interstate commerce
bill occupied the rest of the session.
FRIDAY, Dec. 12.-The Senate was not in
session to-day.
In the House, on motion of Mr.. Ellis (La.).
q concurrent resolution was passed reciting
that the exgencies of the public service pre-
vent the attendance of Congress at the opening
of the Worlds Industrial and Cotton Exposi-
tion in New Orleans; that the President has
decided to open said exposition by telegraph
and start the machinery therefor by electricity
from the Executive Mansion, in the presence of
his Cabinet and foreign representatives, and
requesting the President of the Senate, to-
gether with a committee of 13 Senators and the
Speaker of the House. with one Representative
or Delegate from each State or Territory, to at
tend at the Executive Mansion on Tuesday,
Dec. 16, at 1870, to witness, on behalf of the
Congress of the United States, the opening of
said exposition by the President, and to adopt
and forward therefrom such address of con-
graduation as may seem appropriate to the oc-
casion.
Mr.. Warner, rising to a question Of privilege,
offered preamble and resolution reeiting that
J. ID. Taylor, of Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1884,
(the House having under consideration the
Mexican Pension bill,) having obtained the
floor, occupied the time of the House for six
minutes; that subsequently he obtained leave
to extend his remarks in the Record that in
stead of extending his remarks, he had printed
in the Record, after the adjournment of Con-
gress, q written speech or paper containing
sentiments and paragraphs rejecting on Mem
bers of the House. committee of the House,
and the House itself, and reporting, or purport-
ing to report, the action of one of the commit
tees of the Senate-ali in violation of his leave
to extend his remarks in the Record, and Of the
rules of the House; and declaring that the
parts of the speech rejecting on Members of
the House, on committee of the House, and
on the House, and referring to what took place
in q Senate committee are not legitimate part
of the proceedings of the House. After q good
deal of debate, in which personalities were
freely INDUCED in, the resolution was adopted.
At its evening session the House passed 10
pension bills, including one granting $50
month to Emma De Long, and, at 1910, ad-
journed until Monday.
MONDAY, Dec. 16-In the Senate Mr.. Logan
presented large number of petitions protest
ing against the ratification OF the Spanish
treaty; also, petitions signed by over 1900 ex-
soldiers of the Union Army praying that Con-
gress may purchase for the Capitol at Washing
ton portrait of Gen. George II. Thomas, and
recommending that executed by Miss Ransom.
Mr. Hill spoke at length ON the silver bill,
and the matter was discussed for some time
with considerable animation.
In the House hIr Lacy, of Michigan, from
the Committee on Coinage, Weights and Meas
ures, moved to suspend the rules and pass
bill prohibiting tho issue of Treasury notes of
less denomination than S., and providing for
the issue of 81, 50 and S. silver certificates.
The motion was opposed by Messrs. Brown. of
Indiana Cooke, of Pennsylvania, and Cassidy,
of Nevada 1t was defeated by vote of 49
yeas to 216 nays.
Mr.. Aiken, of South Carolina, from the Com
mittee on Agriculture, moved to suspend the
rules and pass bill to establish department
of agriculture.
Quick Work.