St. Landry democrat., 1884-02-02
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
CONGRESSIONAL PRoeEEDTNas.


THE House Of Representatives, met on the
18th for debate only, and the time was Occur
pied in discussing the bill for the relief of
General Fitz John Porter, but without reach
ing any action adjourned
In the Senate on the 21st an executive
session was declared to discuss resolution
that any further debate on the Mexican
treaty be held with open doors. Senator Ed
munds introduced bill designed to settle the
controversy between the Government and the
Pacific railroads. Resolutions were offered:
Calling for inquiry as to determinations by
foreign governments against our shipping or
commerce.; calling for information as 70 tne
undervaluatien of imported goods; calling
for information as to the proper action to Sc
cure commercial privileges in the Congo re-
gion. The bill permitting retired army Off
GERS to hold office in Territories passed. In
the House, q great number of bills were IN
troduced, several affecting railroad land
grants. A resolution was offered restricting
the privileges of ex-members on the floor OF
the House. Several resolutions looking to the
investigation of official conduct in various de-
partments were referred. The bill repeating
the laws prescribing the irOn-clad oath passed
under suspension of the rules.
In the Senate on the 22d several petitions
asking for the opening of Oklahoma lands
were reported adversely. The Anthony reso-
tuition directing inquiry as to determinations
by tariff or otherwise against American pro-
ducts in foreign countries was agreed TO- Inc
Alaska vas debated without action In
the House, q resolution calling for inquiry as
TO the manufacture of butterine was referred
The bill to forfeit the Texas PacInc Iand grant
was reported and placed on the calendar. The
Greeley relief expedition bill passed; also the
bill relating to recoVeries for Infringement OF
patents. 1T provides that nothing can be ra
covered from defendant who is mere user
for his own benefit.
In the Senate on the o3d the Fitz John
Porter bill was reported favorably. Mr.. Sher-
man introduced resolution, which was laid
over, calling for q report.on the Danville and
Copiah County ~ al murders. Another reso-
luton was adopted calling for information as
to fees paid in the star-route cases. It was
voted to give each Senator, not a chairman of
any committee, clerk. Resolution to allow
Lieutenant Reynolds of the navy to accept
from the Emperor of Austria a decoration for
gallant service was opposed by Senator Plumb.
but finally adorted. ....... The House adopted
8 resolution OF thanks to the officers ana crew
of the revenue cutter Dexter for good behaY-
Tor at the wreck OF the City OF Columbus.
Joint resolution was adopted appropriating
$4,000 for the destitute Crow Indians. The
bill to appropriate money for the tobacco re-
bate payments was referred to committee OF
the whole. Also the bill to establish depart
ment of agriculture. The Bland bill was re-
ported with recommendation that the enact
ing clause be stricken out but no action was
taken.
I In the Senate on the oath the Greedy re-
lief resolution was adopted; also resolution
for appointment of clerks at Sc per day for
members not chairmen of committees. Con-
sidaraaion of the Alaska bill progressed The
resolution abrogating the Hawaiian treaty
was reported adversely. Joint resolution to
bring General Ord s body home from Cuba was
adopted In the House a number of bills
were introduced Senate bill fixing day for
the meeting of Presidential electors was re-
ferred. Several bills for public buildings were
reported and sent to committee of the whole.
The House went into committee on the tobac-
co tax rebate bill, which finally passed. The
House refused to concur in Senate amend
ment to the Greedy relief resolution.