Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-02-14
CONGRESSIONAL.

the Lowell bankruptcy bill with the amend
ment that it preserve State exemptions and
authorize involuntary proceedings only |
against persons whose debts amount to |
more than 81 900, and only against traders.
1t diminishes the number of Commissioners
in Bankruptcy one half. Many OF the |
amendments suggested by the Bankruptcy |
Convention which met few days ago are |
adopted in the bill.
T. V. Powderly, ex-mayor of Scranton,
Pa appeared before the House Committee |
on Labor ON Feb. I'd and stated that he rep
resented the Knights of Labor, who desire
the eight hour system, and legislation pre-
venting foreigners from purchasing large
tracts of public lands, and the prevention
of the importation of foreigners under con-
| tract He said the Hungarians, who live
| on five dollars per month are as obnoxious in
| the east as the Chinese, in their habits.
Others objected to the Belgians.
The House Committee on Public Lands
has decided to report bill declaring the
forfeiture ofthe land grants of the Oregon
and the California & Oregon Railroads, ex-
cept such lands as have been patented. The
grants of the two roads amount to 5OOO,OOO
acres, 110, 600 of which have been patented.
the lands are valued at So to 81 per acre.
The terms Of the contract expired January,
1880.
In the Senate on Feb. 4th, petitions for
i
of ex-soldiers were presented by Logan.
| Pendleton, Frye, Harrison, Lapham and
Logan also presented protests from citizens,
| against the passage of the proposed bill for
| the relief of Fitz John Porter. HOar re-
| ported the Lowell bankruptcy bill from the
Committee on the Judiciary. Other reports
were presented, and the following bills were
| introduced: by Cameron, to enable the peO-
pie of Dakota to form a constitution; by LO-
gan to provide artificial limbs for ex-sol-
! diers. A resolution asking for information
whether the U. p. road had since 1873 issued
new stock, or made a mortgage pledge or
lease of the running management or other
traffic contract. The Senate passed..a joint
resolution apprOpriating $50, 900 for the re-
lief of the Kansas City, Fort Scott q Gulf
| Railroad Company, as compensation for ser
| vices rendered the United States, the land
grant intended to cover such services not
having been invOlved by the company
| The Senate resumed its consideration of
land grant titles, but without action went
into Executive fessiOn and then adjourned.
Sherman's banking bill has been present
ed as a substitute for McPherson's.
A resolution has been agreed to in the
Senate, which prohibits the Union Pacific
road from declaring dividends except from
the net earnings, and that no new stock be
issued or anyTmortgage or pledge made on
the property or net earnings of the company
without the leave of Congress, except for the
purpose of funding and securing debts now
existing or the renewal thereof. The ex-
treme penalty is two years imprisonment
and ST, 900.
The following Kansas nominations were
made POstmasters, Adrian Reynolds, How
ard D w. Wilson, Solomon City; Benz.
McElrOy, Frankfort; George Huycke Els
worth.
In the House, on Feb. 4th the Chairman
announced several changes in committees,
made by request of the parties, A resolution
was introduced directing inquiry as to lands
granted to States for agricultural colleges,
ETC., and recommending measures to secure
the benefits intended to the industrial
classes. Among bills introduced were: By
Bedford, for preliminary survey of the
passes between the upper Mississippi and
the Columbia rivers for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the practicability of uniting these
rivers by canal or otherwise and appropriate
ing $4,000 for the purpose; by Anderson, to
prevent the sale Of,Gertain Pacific railroads
before the United States bonds, with interest,
have been fully paid; by Graves, for the ap-
pointment ola Missouri River Commission
by White, of Minnesota, granting pensions
to all soldiers who served in any of the
wars of the United States and were honor
orably discharged by Weller, for the relief
of the Lady Franklin Bay expedition, pro-
posing to offer a reward of 100000 for the
restoration of Lieut.. Greedy and party dur
ing 1884. Springer presented a memorial
from Richard w. Webb, of New Mexico,
containing charges against Chief Justice
Samuel B. Axtel1 of the Supreme Court of
New Mexico. The House agreed to the
Senate amendment to its BILL by which
$100,000 is appropriated for the Crow and
other Indians. Adjourned.
A bill presented by Willis and prepared by
the new Civil Service Reform Association
provides that officers at present limited to a
term of four years shall be held at the will
of the appointing power, or during good be-
haVior and competency. The offices affect
ed by the bill are those of United States
| District Attorneys, Chief Justices, Associate
Justices, Associate Justices of Territories,
| Presidential POstmasteTs, Registers of Land
! Offices, Receivers of Public monies, Sur
veyOrs General of Territories and Collectors
of Customs.
Representative Morrison presented the
Tariff bill to the House. 1t provides for an
average reduction OF twenty per cent and
if it passes is to take effect July LIST, 1884,
and no rate is to be lower than in MerrilPs
act of 1861 On cotton, hemp, jute butts,
and wool and wooden goods, metals other
| than ore, books, papers, sugars, tobacco,
wood and wooden ware, with EXCEPTIONS
earthenware and glassware, provisions,
/ with exceptions, ETC., as enumerated in GER
| tain named schedules are to be reduced to
eighty per cent. of the present duties. On
UheSe ana other articles IN otner Sche0uleS
the reduction is to 80 and 90 per cent. The
free list includes iron ore, sulphur ORE
copper in ore, lead ore, nickel in ore, coal,
timber, wood, in certain forms, etc.
The House Committee on Elections voted
to give Mayo, of Virginia, his seat on prima
facie evidence.
In the Senate on Feb. 9Th petition was
presented for the reopening of the western
trail through the Indian Territory leased
for grazing purposes. Also that Congress
provide for term of Federal court in the
northern border of Texas. Among bills in
troduced were BY Cockrell, granting right |
of way through the Indian Territory to the |
Southern Kansas Railroad Company; by |
Coke, from the Committee on Indian Affairs /
to provide for the allotment of land in sever
atty to the Indians of the several reserva-