The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-16
FOrty.Eighth Congress-

TUESDAY, January 8-Numerous resolutions
and petitions were presented in the senate, and
the debate on the proposed new rules continued
at great length. The session of the house
was principally occupied In the presentation of
bills, six hundred and seventy-four being in
troduced. A joint resolution for the immediate
appropriation of 81, 900, 900 for improvements in
the Mississippi river was introduced, and Richie
lieu Robinson succeeded In introducing his reso-
luton calling upon the secretary OF state for in
formation whether the law forbidding our for
eign ministers to appear in court costumes has
been violated.
WEDNESDAY. January 9.-The senate was
occupied chiefly in discussing the proposed
new rules for governing that body, but without
reaching a conclusion. -. In the house, a pro.
tracted debate occurred on the question Of dis
posing Of the annual report of the Mississippi
river commission 1t was finally referred to
the committee on rivers and harbors. The
subject Of the action of Germany and France,
prohibiting the importation of American pork
into those countries, was referred to the COM
mittees on foreign affairs and commerce. The
Dingley shipping bill was referred to the COM
mttee of the whole.
THURSDAY, January 10.-The senate contin-
ued the discussion of the new rules, reaching
no conclusion. A debate occurred on the ques-
ton whether the committee on commerce
should be left with jurisdiction over the river
and harbor bill and other commercial matters,
or whether they should be sent to the proposed
new committee on internal improvements.
| The jurisdiction OF the commerce committee
was left unchanged by a vote OF thirty-six to
| eleven. Without transacting business Of any
importance, the house adjourned till Monday.
FRIDAY, January IL The senate passed a
bill appropriating 81, 100000 to continue the
improvements already begun by the Missis-
| sippi river commission. The bill was amended,
| however so as TO prevent the expenditure OF
any of the money for the improvement Of pri-
vate property. Bills were introduced for the
establishment of university of medicine al
the national capital, to provide for the estab-
lishment OF system OF postal savings banks
in the United States, and for the relief of the
survivors and the widows and orphans OF the
men lost on the exploring steamer Jeanette.
Mr. Cullom spoke In favor of his bill for chang.
ing the control Of affairs In Utah, and Mr..
Brown in opposition. The new senate rules
were finally adopted, and an adjournment was
taken until Monday.
| MONDAY, January 14-The senate elected
| Mr.. Anthony of Rhode Island president, pro
tempore. but In consequence OF the delicate
state OF his health he declined to accept the
position. Mr.. Edmunds of Vermont was sub
sequently elected by vote OF thirty-two to
| twenty-four bill was introduced by Mr.
| Aldrch of Rhode Island, providing for the ex-
change of four per cent bonds for three per
cent bonds and for other purposes, and Mr.
Hill of Colorado spoke at length in advocacy OF
his postal telegraph bill. The entire session OF
the house was occupied in the Introduction OF
bills and resolutions