The bee., 1884-04-05
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-
Senate


The Senate passed the bill reported from
the committee on Indian affairs for the allot-
ment of land in severalty to Indians on the
reservations to extend the laws of the States
and Territories over the Indians. :. Bills were
introduced to establish a bureau of fine arts
in the Smithsonian institution: to regulate
the forms of bills of lading, and the duties
and liabilities of ship-owners and Others, and
TO provide for The sanitary rSpectlon IN
Egypt of rags to be shipped to the United
States.
MIR. Miller, of California, reported favor
ably from the committee on naval affairs,
with an amendment the joint resolution
authorizing the secretary of the navy to offer
q reward of So. 600 for rescuing or ascertain
ing the fate of the Greely expedition.
A memorial was presented from the legisla-
tive assembly of Utah. protesting against leg
iSlation by Congress without full inyestlga-
ton, and making accusations against Cover
nor Murray. The Blair educational bill was
debated, Mr.. Hampton making an extended
address in its support
The Senate passed Mr. Hawley's bill offer
hg S25, 900 reward for the recovery of the
Greely party. with an amendment exemptlng
the United States from any responsibility Tor
theparty undertaking the task. MIR. Brown
introduced bill to require the payment of
Georgia for expenditures made for the COM
mon defense in 1777 :. Mr. Palmer, from the
committee on woman suffrage, reported fav-
orably resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution giving women the right to
vote
A bill was reported favorably to establish a
national forest reservation on the head
waters of the Missouri :. Bills were intro
duced making an appropriation to pay the
expenses of commission to explore Alaska,
and TO allow drawbacks on imported ma
terials used in the manufacture of tobacco,
snuff and cigars exported. -. Mr.. Platt spoke
in favor of his bill to Or
ganize the patent Office into depart
ment.
MR Dow spoke in favor Of his bill pro-
viding for the retirement and recolnage OF
the trade dollars. The bill provides that un-
til June J. 1886, trade dollars shall be re-
ceived at their face value in payment Of
all dues to the United States, and
of trade dollars on the presentation of
| the coin to any treasurer or assistant treas
urer will receive in exchange dollar for dollar,
standard silver dollars of the United States.
The trade dollars received in any national
depository are to be recoined into stand
ard dollars. The trade dollars are to
| be regarded and treated. when received at
the mint, as silver bullion, and their bullion
value shall be deducted from the amount of
bullion required to be purchased and coined
| by the act of February 2S. 1878. The bill was
unanimously reported by the committee.
MT. Anderson offered a resolution provid-
ing that Congress should adjourn on the I'd
of June. 1t was referred to the ways and
means committee. =. At its evening ses-
sion the House passed twenty three
pension bills Among them was one giving a
pension of so per month to the widow OF
| Major-General james B. Steedman. and a
bill granting a pension to Mrs. Sarah E. E.
Seelye, who served as a soldier for three
| years under the assumed name of Franklin
| Thompson, and, when sick and about to be
sent to the hospital, deserted to escape the
| detection of her sex.
A joint resolution was introduced by 41r.
| Finerty rendering the thanks of Congress to
| Minister Sargent. Bills were introduced for
/ the construction of merchant ship of new
design; to equalize the taxation Of domestic
and foreign insurance companies: appropri,
ating $4O0, 900 for the relief of sufferers by
the Mississippi floods and authorizing the ap-
| pointment Of a Missouri river commission
| THE Trade Dollar bill was further
| considered