The Indianapolis journal., 1884-02-12
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Consideration of the Riddleberger Resolution
-


to Investigate the Removal of Employees.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lin the Senate, Mr.
Pendleton presented the credentials of Hon.
Henry B. Payne, senatoP-elect from Ohio for the
term beginning March 4, 1885 They were read
and ordered filed.
Mr. Plumb presented petition from the late
commission of volunteer officers of the Union
army complaining of discrimination against them
in the difference between the amount of their
pensions and the pay of officers on the retired
list
Mr. Miller, of California, from the committee
on naval affairs, reported favorably bill for the
relief of the survivors of the Jeanette expedi
ton.
Mr. Sherman read dispatch from Richard
Smith, of Cincinnati, saying that Congress
should make an immediate appropriation of
$500 900 to relieve the sufferers from the food at
towns between Pittsburg and Cairo, and adding
that Cincinnati needed nothing, but other places
were almost helpless.
Mr. Voorhees, stated that himself and col
league had similar kilograms from other places.
Mr. Sherman said he would not ask immediate
action on the subject deeming it better to await
the action of the House or Representatives The
telegram referred to the committee on ap-
preparations
Mr.. Doph presented petition from the Board
of Trade, of Portland, Ore, representing the
helpless condition of the cities along the coasts
of the United States by reason of the inefhciency
of the navy, and praying Congress to place the
navy in condition of strength commensurate
with the naval power of other nations and the
commanding position of the United States.
Bills were reported from committees and
placed on the calendar:
By Mr. Hoar, from the committee judi
ciary: Fixing the salaries of judges of the dis
trict courts of the United States
Bills were introduced and referred:
By Mr. Hoar To authorize preliminary
animation and survey of passes between the
affiuents of the upper Mississippi and Columbia
rivers, for the purpose of aseePtaining the dis
tance between the navigable waters of said rivers.
By Mr. Blair To provide for the study of ply
sioogy and the effects of intoxicating, narcotic,
and poisonous substances upon life and health in
the public schools of Territories and the District
of Columbia.
BY Mr. Voorhees,: Making an appropriation
for the repair, preservation, and completion of
certain public works, reservoirs mains, ETC., for
| irrigation and other purposes of arid Land re-
| gions.
By Mr. Hale: For thereliefof the officers and
| crew of the United States steamer Monitor who
participated in the action against the rebellion
| iron-clad Merrimac on March g. 1862.
| Mr. Van Wyck offered resolution, which was
| agreed TO- directing the committee on poStofiees
| and post-roads to ascertain whether any of the
| owners or officers of the Baltimore & Ohio tele-
| graph Company had made or received any, pro
posals, or entered into an agreement to consoli-
| date with the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany within the past twelve months The reso-
| luton gives the committee power to send for
| persons and papers.
The Chair laid before the Senate the resolu-
tion offered some days ago by Mr.. Riddleberger,
providing for committee of inquiry, composed
of three senators and five representatives,, to ex
| anime into the question Of the discharges and
| appointments to subordinate offices of both
| houses of Congress
| Mr. Vest offered amendment providing
also, for inquiry as to what orders had been
| given by the executive department of the gov
ernment in Virginia during the last three years.
| Mr.. Riddleberger said he could see profit
to come of the amendment but he prepared
to substantiate the statements made by himself.
Mr.. Vest, speaking to his Amendment
said he was in favor of eivil-service reform but
the civil-service act as applied by the Repub
hcans, was made farce, shown in the course
recently pursued in relation to Senate employees.
Mr.. Conger replied he had never seen Demo-
crat in the Senate supporting any action to aid
in civil service, except when it would result in
turning out Republican and putting in a Dem
ocrat.
The hour of o'clock having arrived, the mat
ter went over without decision, and the chair
laid before the Senate the resolution offered
some weeks since by Mr.. VanWyck, directing
the committee on Judiciary to examine and re
port what legislation, II any, IS necessary to re
strict the appointment of special assistant at
torneys, etc
The resolution was agreed to without debate.
Proceeding tnen 10 bne ISG OF unODJecLeu cases
upon the calendar, the Senate took up, and
with but slight debate, passed the bill reported
by Mr.. Platt, from the committee patents,
amending section 1887 of the Revised Statutes Sc
curing to American inventors the full term of
seventeen years for their patents in cases where
the foreign patent expires before that term.
message being received from the House
nouncing continued disagreement of that body
| to the Senate amendment to the Greedy relief
bills, Mr.. Hale moved the Senate reeede from its
amendment. The men who should
would be the men perfectly willing to go. They
would not be taken from the navy rolls, as they
| now stand, but would be reenlisted No diff
| Guilty will be experienced in finding the best
officers in the naval establishment to take the
| place of command, and no unwilling man should
go under any circumstances. This difficulty
being removed, Mr.. Hale hoped there would be
no further delay He did not know how he
would feel if it should turn out that this eXpedi
| tion, on getting to the Arctic seas should
| find that the unfortunate men for whom
| it went in search had perished within two
| weeks of the arrival of the relieving party He
hoped that would not occur, and did not prophesy
| it would but there was every motive for urging
| prompt action in the matter.
| vote was then taken, and the Senate-29
| yeas to % nays-receded from its amendment.
| The Senate after passing some private bills
| went into executive session, and when the doors
were reopened message was received from the
| House announcing the passage by that body of
| Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of
War to use ratons for the relief of destitute per
sons IN the district overhoEed by the Ohio river
| and its tributaries, and making appropriation
of $500, 600 to relieve the sufferers by such over
Row.
The joint resolution was read three times and
| 81 ,.,,n1