Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-29
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
SENATE DISCUSSION ON STORM SUFFERERS
PRIVATE BILL DAY IN THE HOUSE.
The Senate.

DISTRICT COMMITTEES, AND OTHERS.
The Senate.
The Chair presented q communication from the
Secretary OF War showing the pay, stations, ETC.,
or civilian engineers In the employ of the govern
ment- Also, the stations, ETC., of military engi-
neerS.
Mr.. Mcmillan presented petition OF the common
council of Duluth Mimi, relating to the improve
ment OF the harbor Of that city. 1t referred
the committee on commerce.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
The following bills were reported favorably from
committees:
By Mr.. Harrison, from the committee on terrific
ries-An original bill providing for the admission
OF the Territory OF Dakota. on Mr. HarrisOn's mo-
uOn The bill was ordered printed and recomnitted
TO the committee on territories.
o., Mr. Ransom, from the committee on approprta-
tons reported back adversely the joint resolution
introduced by him last Monday. and referred to that
committee, providing for an appropriation to aid
lne sufferers by the great storms in the southern
stateS; state IN In +reportns 1t back Mr. Ransom
very careful consideration. kilograms were sent
10 the governors OF the different states affected and
to other persons In those states supposed be best
acquainted with all the incidents or the storm and
Inc subsequent suferings. And while the first ac-
counts OF the great sufferngs of certain commun-
suferings were not, in the Judgment Of
the commatee lof that widespread, transcendant
and piramount character which baffted all local,
INDIVIDUAL municipal and state relief as to de-
mand the Intervention of the government. He
could not let the occasion pass, Mr. Ransom added,
Without saying that, while in presenting the reso-
luton he had been actuated by a becoming i'm
pulse, 1t was proper now that the country should
Know, at the earliest moment, that Congress would
no take steps for relief in this instance. He said
lhls In order that private and local charity may
not be suspended.
The example OF the people of those states in their
great ordeal or suffering could not but command
tne admiration OF their countrymen every
where. He (Mr Ransom> might sometimes be car
r1ed away by enthusiasm for his own people, but
when he looked at what had taken place among
the people OF North Carolina, South Carolina, Ala
nana and Georgia. and saw their resolution TO bide
telr Ialln ann not come to Congress for relief
When an effort had been made to give ii to them.
IL reminded him OF the herosm OF Fablicius and
Regul'ls and OF the great Athenian who sacrificed
everything that he might stand by his country. He
hoped the noble example given by the afflicted peo-
pie IN this case would be useful to richer and more
powerful communities which might not be worse
a11cted. In conclusion Mr.. Ransom thanked the
committee on appropriations for the careful and
palnstaking consideration which they had given TO
Mr.: Garland said he took it that the committee
acted on the ground that they did not consider,
from the information received. that there was a
necessity 1or the 1nterpOsiiOn OF Congress-
Mr.. Ransom said that was the ground.
. Mt Garland said he did not understand it to have
Deen declined on the ground OF the unconstitution-
aity OF SUCH AID In cases where IL shown to be
required.
Mr.. Ransom said not at all
Mr. Garland said that he did not wish 1t to be un-
derstoou That he for one. doubted the authority of
congress TO extend aid in cases calling for it. II
the question had arisen on that he would have had
something to say.
MIR. Ransom said that If this were time to dis
cuss that matter he (Nir. Ransom would be able to
snow line OF prece dents favOring the cOnstitu-
lohailty OF such action from the beginning OF our
government TO the present day When the matter
came to be Investigated there could he said be but
one opinion as to the constitutional authority of
Congress in a case OF such imminent and impend-
ing RUN as to exceed the capacity OF local and state
House of Representatives.
Mr.. Cox On. " introduced bill for the relief Of
the heirs OF Count Pulaski Referred
Mr.. Aiken Is C). from the committee on educa-
ton. reported back resolution directing that COM
nttee TO inquire into the working ard manage
tment tI OF such institutions as may be using the
FUNDS appropriated by act OF July 2d 1882 for the
benefit OF agricultural colleges. Adopted.
Mr.. Randall Pa), from the committee on appro-
priationS reported resolution calling on the Sec
etary OF the Treasury for information as to whether
any additional clerical force Is required for the
purpose OF paying claims for rebate on tobacco.
on motion of Mr. Hunt Qa-) the shipping bill
was made special order for the 18th OF March.
ANOTHER INVESTIGATION PROPOSED.
Mr.. Mayberry tMich.) offered a resolution setting
forth that by act OF Congress of March 3D. 1863
100000 acres were granted TO the state of Mich
to aid in the construction Of a breakwater harbor
and ship canal to connect Lake superior with Port
age lake; that those lands We're conferred on the
Portage Lake and Lake Superior ship canal compa-
ny; that that company did not complete the works
within the time limited by the act. and that it Is
alleged that the lands We're not selected required
by law. and directing the committee on public lands
10 investigate the allegations and all matters per-
tanning to such grant, and whether it is liable to
forfeiture. Referred.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
The Speaker laid before the House for approximate
reference the following executive communications.
From the Attorney General-asktng that his chief
clerk be made er otfciO Il trustee OF the reform
school OF the District OF Columbia.
Also, reconlnendng , M en-, an appropriation for the
preservation :NG,I Of Of the city hall Washington;
MI. OMEN pa presented resolutions OF the Mari
time exchange OF Philadelphia favoring the redem-
tlon OF the trade dollar at par Referred.
PRIVATE BILLS.
The House then proceeded to the consideration OF
private business.
number Of private bills were reported from the
various committees and Mr.. Hutchins New York;
having given notice t:iat tomorrow he would call
up Inc nava! appropriation bill for further consid-
tee of the whole. Mr Cox (New York; in the chair.
On the private calendar.
The District in Congress-.
THE COLLATERAL LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY BILL
The bill to incorporate the Collateral Loan and
Trust company in the District OF Columbia has
been reported back to the House by the committee
on the District OF Columbia, to which it was re-
ferred, and the committee discharged IRON further
consideration, and the bill laid upon the table
ROUTES OF STEAM RAILROADS IN THE CITY.
The Senate District committee, at their regular
meeting to-day, directed a favorable report upon
the bill to vacate an alley in square 24 in this CITY,
The time Of the meeting consumed in discuss
ing the bill to define the routes OF steam railroads,
through the city, and Mr. GOrman'S substitute but
no conclusion was reached. The proposed routes
in all their bearings, were discussed at length and
the subject will again come up at the next meet
ing.
THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
The subcommittee OF the Senate District COM
mittee on statutes and municipal code discussed
the subject Of a code for while to-day, but took
no action
THE BILL TO PENSION POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN.
Messrs. John B. Wilson, Josiah V. Grant and
Adolph Miller, ex-members> Of the police force,
were at the Capitol to-day to urge an amendment
to the bill to pension policemen and firemen to
make it retroactive. They served fourteen, twenty
and thirteen years, respectively, the force and
were retired. In the case OF Thompson, the cOlored
policeman, who lost his eyeslght by being kicked