, 1884-01-24

steamer Dexter, and the officers and
men under him, and the men who
manned the Gay Head lifeboat, for
their brave conduct in rescuing the sur
vivors Of the wrecked steamer City of
Columbus, and especially to Lieutenant
Dhodes, who twice swan to the steamer
and rescued two men clinging to the
rigging. Passed.
Dockey, from the committee on &C.
counts, reported a resolution empower
ing the committee, in conducting the
investigation now being made relative
to the removal of employees at the close
of the last session, to send for persons
and papers. Adopted.
Ellis, from the committee on appro-
priations, reported a joint resolution
appropriating $4,000 to support the
destitute Indians at the Crow agency,
Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, and the
Blackfeet agency in Montana. Passed.
Anderson offered a preamble and
resolution calling on the secretary of
the interior for immediate information
as to whether the Atchison, Topeka 81
Santa Fe railroad had completed with
in ten years of the passage of the act
of March Sd, 1868, granting it land sub
sidy, and If not, by what authority the
secretary had certified to the state of
Kansas, for the benefit of that road,
lands to the amount of 1S0, 1874 acres,
about October 9th. 1882. Referred.
Hewitt, of New York, offered a reso-
luton calling IN the secretary of the
treasury for information as to the trade
between the United States and Mexico,
and the traffic over the railroads con
Meeting the two countries.
George, from the committee on
Indian affairs, reported a resolution
calling OF the secretary of the interior
for a list Of claims allowed in his de-
partment for depredations committed
by tribes of Indians who have funds
due them by the United States.
Adopted.
Burnes, from the committee on APP
preparations, reported a bill to supply
deficiencies in the award for rebate Of
tax on tobacco, and to provide for the
expenses of the legislature Of New
Mexico. Referred to the committee,
who, Burnes stated, ask action to-
morrow. 1t appropriates SO, T50, 900
for payment of the rebate and S21, 965
for the expenses of the legislature of
New Mexico; declares the members
elected that legislature in November,
1882, legal members, and provides that
the new territorial legislature shall con-
vene in 1886.
The bill to provide for the more
speedy delivery of letters at free deliv-
cry offices was taken up. 1t authorizes
the postmaster general to Issue special
ten cent stamps, which, attached to a
letter in addition to the regular post
age, will insure immediate delivery at
free delivery offices up to midnight.
Belford, supporting the proposition,
ridiculed the idea that the postofice de-
partment should be self supporting,
and in the course of his remarks hoped
the house would have the sense to real
ize tie fact of its duty to get the $780,
600, 900 out of the treasury.
This giving rise to ONE laughter on
the republican side of the house, Bel
ford continued:
"You gentlemen can smile, but next
year, when you go before the country
and are met with the fact hat there
are failures all over it, and the secre-
tary of the treasury is boarding up
money in close vaults, you will be strug-
Cling for some argument to defend the
republican party"
On motion of Bland, the bill was re-
ported to the house with the recon-
mendation that the enacting clause be
stricken out, the vote standing 109 to
105.
Pending action on the report the
house adjourned.