The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-04-17
XLVIIIth CONGRESS.
First Session.

WASHINGTON, Apri. 9.-SENATE,-Mr. Hin,
from the Committee on Post-Ofices and Post
Roads, reported favorably the original bill to
establish postal telegraph system. Mr.. Hill
remarked that the Committee were unanimous
as to the first ten sections of the bill which
relate to the doing of work by contracts with
existing companies, but that minority of the
Committee were opposed to the section rela-
ting to the construction or purchase
of lines by the Government. The
provision relating to the liability of
the contracting company for failure to cor
rectly and promptly transmit messages has
been amended by limiting such liability to
500 times the amount paid for transmission.
Two new features have been added to the
bill. The first authorized the contracting
company to employ Postmaster as Its
agent and operator at any postal telegraph
office where telegraphic receipts are insult
aesnt nSe 10 70 pay hin the salary OF the
ing 50per cent, of the charges on messages
transmitted from the office. The second re-
quires the Postmaster General to secure the
provisions of a contract which shall protect
postal kilograms against determinations in
the order of transmission in favor of tele-
grams received at such of the company's Of
provisions arc of nut the 'pefifID Bill. ef The CON. one
of ahe not mSe
ly different from the scheme OF the Postal
the Postmaster to receive 5ids from
any telegraph company for the contract. The
provisions relating to the establishment of a
event that no satisfactory contract with the
established companies is secured, are a COM
bination of the features of tbs Hill and Ed
mundS bills.
HoUsE.-Mr. Hopkins offered a set of reso-
lutions, reciting the abuses of cattle in trans
portation, and violations of laws for humanity
toward them, and proposing that the Com
mittee on Commerce be instructed to inquire
whether those evils do in fact exist, and to
what extent they may be remedied by law,
with power to send for persons and papers,
and with directions to report at any time, by
bill or otherwise. The rest of the day was
consumed in debating several bills and pass
to cost 100000.
WASHINGTON, April 10.-SENATE.-A bill
passed further to suspend the operation Of
Section 5,574 of the Revised Statutes relating
to the guano islands. 1t was agreed when
the Senate adjourn to-day that it would be to
Monday next. The Chair laid before the Sem
ate communication from the Secretary of
the Treasury urging the necessity for a new
revenue cruiser for Alaskan waters, and rec
ommending an appropriation of S175,oOO for
ths from joint
of California, urging the adoption
by Congress of the bill introduced in the
reang to
authorizi1g the construction Of bridge across
the Mississippi at st. Louis. By Mr.. Miller, of
California, Committee on Foreign Relations,
reported the original amendment to Consular
take the place of the bill referred to that Com
mittee intended to provide for the appoint
| ment ef Special Commissioner to visit the
principal South American countries for the
purpose of collecting information looking to
| the extension of our trade in that direction.
HOUsE.-House met at II in continuation of
| Wednesdays session. Mr.. Eaton, Chairman
| of Committee on Laws relating to the election
to the Senate the bill on that subject, with an
| amendment in the nature of substitute.
House Calendar. Mr.. Ellis introduced a
| joint resolution directing the Postmaster
| General to investigate and apply the most ef-
| fective means of protection to mail on postal
| cars from fire. Referred. Mr.. Mills, of the
| Committee on Ways and Means, reported a
diate transportation of dutiable goods. House
calendar.
| WASHINGTON, April n.-SENATE. Senate
not in session.
| HoUsE.-Mr. Ellis, from the Committee on
| Appropriations, reported back the Senate bill
authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to Of
fer reward of S25,Ooo for rescuing or ascer-
tanning the fate of the Greely expedition.
After brief debate the bill passed. Mr.. Nc
MILAN, from the Committee on Revision of
| Laws, reported bill limiting to two years
| time within which prosecutions may be In
| stituted against persons charged with violat-
| ing the Internal Revenue laws. House calen-
| dar. Mr.. Henley from the Committee on
| Public Lands, reported a bill forfeiting North.
| ern Pacific land grant. House calendar. The
| House went into Committee of the Whole
/ (Mr. Springer in the chair on the Pensi-
Appropriation Bill. Adjourne till Monday.