The National tribune., 1884-05-22
D0INGS OF CONGRESS.
Progress of the Appropriation Bills.
Pension Matters.

In the Senate on Wednesday, the 14th inst,
Mr.. Camden w Va.) from the Committee on
Pensions, reported favorably the House bill to
grant pension to Mary p. McBlair with an
amendment cutting down the amount from $50
to SIS per month. A vigorous, and at times
acrimonious debate arose over the question
whether if the orphan of soldier attaining
the age of sixteen was disabled TO such an ex-
tent not to be capable of earning living
the Government was under any obligation to
continue the Pension, whether such con-
tinuance could only be granted on the ground
of charity. The former opinion appeared TO
prevail and the bill was passed with the COM
mttee's amendment.
Mr. Cockrell (bio.) took occasion TO say that
had he been present he should have voted
against the bill placing General Grant on the
retired list and his colleague. MIR. Vest, called
attention to the fact that he had actually voted
against the measure, although in the Record it
was reported as having been adopted unani-
mously.
On motion of Mr. Blair IN. H., the House
bill TO establish bureau of labor statistics was
then taken up, and Mr.. Garland (Ark.) moved
as an amendment the substance of his bill here
| tofore introduced providing that the bureau of
statistics of the Treasury Department shall do
the work required to be done by the bill, and
also providing for the collection of information
as to marriages and divorces in the United
States In reply 70 an inquiry by Mr. Morgan,
Mr.. Garland said the United States had no
jurisdiction of marriages or divorces, but the
Government could collect information on those
subjects.
Mr. George Miss spoke in favor of the bill,
and Mr.. Morgan Ala opposed it on the ground
that the work conld be done by the present
bureau of statistics.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, ON Thursday Mr.. Logan (Ill.),
from the Committee on Appropriations, reported
the pension appropriation bill with amend
ments.
Mr. Allison Iowa), from the Committee on
Appropriations reported with amendments,
the bill TO aid the Worlds Industrial and Cot
ton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans.
After brief debate the bill was passed SUBJ
stantially as ii came from the House, the
amount remaining at $1,000.000 despite an
effort to reduce il to 100000.
Mr.. Morgan (Ala.) introduced a resolution
instructing the Committee on Finance to ex-
| anime into the causes of the New York bank
failures, and ascertain whether they are the
result of violations of the laws governing their
conduct.
Mr.. CuIlom (nl.) introduced bill to pro-
hibit speculation by officers of national bank
ing associations 1t is as follows:
Be Il enacted De. That 1t shall be unlawful for
tive officer of any national banking association
having capital stock of the amount of 100000
more, TO deal trade otherwise engage in speeua-
ton in stocks bonds or other securities In grain
provisions, produce, or oil On margins his own
individual account, or for his personal profit
either directly indirectly to have any part
nership other financial interest in the operations
Of any private banking brokerage firm bust
ness Any such officer who violates the provisions
OF this act. or any person who aids abets such
officer IN violating the provisions of this act, shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemesnor. and shall be
imprisoned not less than one year nor more than
five years, or fined not more than $4,000.
The Senate adjourned until Monday.
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the Senate, on Monday, Mr.. Blair m H.,
from the Committee on Pensions, reported q
bill to amend the pension laws by increasing the
pensions of soldiers and sailors who have lost
an arm or a leg aud for other disabilities con-
tracted in the service, as follows:
To such as have lost a hand or foot, S24
| per month: TO such as have lost an arm at the
elbow or a leg at the knee, $50 per month to
such have lost leg at the hip joint or an
arm at the shoulder joint, or who have lost one
hand and one foot, or are totally disabled in
one hand and one foot, or who by reason of
disability are incapacitated from manual labor
but do not require the regular aid and attend
ance of any person. $40 per month; to such az
have lost the sight of one eye, SIP per month /;
60 such as have lost the sight Of both eyes $40
ing Of both ears, $50 per month.
Dir. Sherman lO.l, from the Committee on
the Library, reported concurrent resolution,
which the Senate agreed TO, accepting portrait
in mosaic of the late President Garfield, the
work of DIR. Salyiati, of Venice, Italy, trans
mitted through Messrs Tiffany & Co., of New
York, TO the Secretary of State of the United
States, and by him to Congress. The resolution
also conveys the thanks of Congress to Dr.
Saiyiati.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Morgan (Ala.
directing the Committee On Finance to examine
the causes of the recent failures of national
banks, and whether such failures are due to
violations and evasions of law on the part of
the officers or directors Of the banks, was
adopted.
TUEsDAY's PROCEEDINGS
In the Senate. on Tuesday. Mr.. Slater (Or.l
offered q resolution, which lies over one day
under the rule, requesting the President to in
form the Senate by what authority commits
sioners had been from time to time appointed
to examine and report on sections of the North
ern Pacific Railroad, which were constructed
and completed subsequent TO the time within
which by law the road was required to be
completed.
On motion of Mr.. Lapham On. ", the Sem
ate took up, read third time and passed the
bill extending to August, 1886. the time to
commence laying the cable authorized by the
act of August s. 1882
The bill providing for the construction of a
public building at Detroit, Mich, was passed.
On motion of Mr., Hale (Me.), the agricul-
tural appropriation bill was taken up and pro-
ceeded with by sections.
House.
In the House, on Wednesday, the i&th inst.
Mr.. Converse tOhio) from the Committee ON
Elections, reported a resolution In tho Indiana
contested election case of English against
Peelle, declaring the contestant entitled to the
seat de gave notice that he would call I'D
the case for consideration on Tuesday next.
resolution in favor of the contestant in
the Ohio contested election case of Wallace
against Mckinley was reported by Mr.. Turner
tGa.1, from the same committee, and laid over
Minority reports were submitted In both
cases.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the consular and diplomatic appro-
priation bill.
MIR. Burnes (Mo.) explained its provisions.
It appropriates 1878, 40, as against an appro-
priation of 81, 296, $50 for the current year The
amount estimated for the service was ST. 345.-
0f5. The Committee on Appropriations had
sought to be economical, but at the same time
to avoid parsimony.
Messrs Cannon (Ill.), Potter IN. W and
Kasson (Ia.) opposed tho bill on the ground
| that the appropriations were niggardIy, while
MeSsrs. Toilet Ohio, Robinson (N " aud
Burnes NO. spoke in its favor.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS
In the House, on Thursday, the bill author