The Portland daily press., 1884-04-23
FORTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.


WASHINGTON, April %.
In the Senate Mr.. Blair, from the commit
tee on edecation and labor, reported favorably
the bill to create commission TO inquire into
and report upon the material, industrial and
intellectual progress made by the colored peo'
pie of the United States since 1866. 1t was
placed on the calendar.
Mr., Plumb called up the resolution admit
ting to the floor of the Senate the Commission
or OF Agriculture, and an amendment was of
fered by him placing that officer in the order
0fImention next to the heads of departments
on the list of persons entitled to admission.
The amendment was agreed to, as also one Of
fered by Mr.. Merrill giving a similar right of
admission to the secretary Of the Smithsonian
Institution. The resolution as amended was
then agreed to,
The Senate at III D. m. went into execu-
tive session and at 3 35Ip. m. the doors were re-
opened. Several pension and other bills OF pri-
yate interest were passed and the Senate then
adjourned,
In accordance with resolution adopted
yesterday, the House met at II O'Clock to-day.
Mr.. Dingley of Maine asked unanimous con-
sent for the present consideration of bill
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to
invest lawful money deposited in the treasury
by national banking associations for the retire.
ment Of their circulating notes. There was,
he said, no more important measure than this,
which related to the currency of the country,
that could possibly be presented to Congress.
1t was recommended by the Secretary of the
Treasury and had the unanimous approval of
the bankin and currency committee. Under
the existing Law, the national banks, in with.
drawing their bonds and going into liquida-
ton, were obliged to deposit in the treasury
lawful money and the currency was contracted
to that extent.
"Wips out the whole systeml" suggested
Mr.. Weller, 81 object"
Mr.. Dingiey hoped that the objection would
be withdrawn because the bill was necessary
to prevent the contraction of the currency at
the rate of So, 900 month
Mr.. Weller remarked that nothing which
could be said would induce him to Withdraw
the objection, and so consent was not granted.
A resolution was adopted setting apart the
third Of May for the consideration OF the bill
amending the Chinese immigration act.
The Speaker laid before the House com.
munication from the Secretary of War sub
hitting deficiency in the estimate OF $276, OO0
for the pay of the army. 1t was referred.
An order was made providing for evening
sessions until further notice for general debate
on the tariff bill.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the tariff bill, and Mr. Wellbrook of
Texas spoke in its favor.
Mr.. Mckinley of Ohio followed IN opposi-
ton. He said the only persons who demanded
q reduction of the tariff were members of the
Free Trade Club of Brooklyn and New York.
Their capital was notinvested in active indus
tries, but they cut their coupons and bought
most of their goods on the other side. III Con-
gress lowered the duties, they could get their
goods a little cheaper. He declared that the
bill las in the interest of England.
After an elaborate argument by Mr. Herbert
of Alabama in defence OF the bill the COM
mittee rose and the House went into commit
tee on the pension appropriation bill, the
pending amendment being that offered by Mr..
Rosecrans of California, transferring the duties
of pension agents to the pay department OF
the army. The amendment was lost.
On motion of Mr. Rogers of Arkansas. an
amendment was adopted providing that no
agent, attorney or other person shall demand
or receive fee for his services in cases of PEN
sion or bounty land claims until allowance OF
the claim, that all fees in pension cases shall
be paid for paying pensions out OF the first
instalment of the pension to claimant; that nc
fee shall exceed $40 except in case OF special
written contract on file in the pension Office
and approved by the commissioner Of pensions
when $25 may be charged, and prescribing
the power which the Secretary of the Interior
may exercise over pension attorneys.
The committee then rose and reported the
bill to the House, when it was passed.
The House then took recess until O'Clock
EVENING SESSION.
LESS than two dozen members were present
at the night session. The debate on the tariff
bill was conducted by Messrs. Eldridge Of
Michigan, Lanham and Dockery of Texas
Warner OF Tennessee, and Riggs of Illinois.
in favor of, and by Messrs. Evans of Pennsyl
vania, Price of Wisconsin, and George o.
Oregon, opposed to the measure. Adjourned