National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-21

Sweet National bank, Of Nebraska city. Neb, to
the Merchants National Bank, of Nebraska. a.,
From the committee on military affairs pill
TO authorize tho government to accept the lands
aud building the property of Erie, Pa, to be useu
as home for INDECENT oders and sailors. -.
From the committee on postOices and post
roads: a bill allowing extra compensation to
postm asters of the third class for rent, &c.
From public lands committee: bill TO declare
forfeited the land grant TO the oregon CentGal
Railroad company.
Also. a joint resolution authorizing the secretary
of war 10 lease certain lands to the board Of fish
commissioners OF the state Of Michigan.
From the committee on Indian affairs: bill
for the relief of citizens of Oregon, Idaho and
Washington territories who were with the United
states troops in the wars with the Nee Perces
Indians.
From the public buildings committees Bills pro.
Xiding for the erection of public buildings NJ
keokuk, Iowa; Paterson, n. j.: Lacrosse, WIS.,
Chicago, Ill., and Troy, n Y.
From the invalid pensions committees: bill 10
prevent the government from inquirlng into the
physical health Of an applicant for pension ut
the time he entered the service. -,
From the foreign affairs committee; A joint
resolution authorizing Minister w. II. Hunt to
accept medal from the emperor of Russia;
Also, resolution that the President be re-
Aguero, now in Key West, Fla and held for ex.
tradition on tie demand of the government OF
Spain, until 1t shall be ascertained that the
charges against him are true, and that he is not
held for political purposes. aud that the President
be requested TO direct the attorney general Of the
United states to have an investigation Of the case
made.
Mr.. Ryan, from the committee on appropria-
lions, called up the joint resolution approprating
$3.50 900 to be expended among the Indians for
educational purposes, and II was passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Keller the house resolved IL.
the union (Mr Bland, of Missouri in the chair
to consider the military academy appropriation
bill. Mr.. Keller said that the entire appropria-
ton was less than last year. The appropriation
for the pay of cadets had been increased to the
extent OF $4,000. He said there were but go
cadets In attendance at the academy, although
the law allowed 844.
Mr.. Cobb asked why 30 many vacancies exist.
Mr.. Keller replied that many failed of exami-
nation.
"Are not examinations so high" inquired Mr..
CoOb, "that no young man can enter2 The prin-
Ctpal study IL mathematics. The Institution Is not
accomplishing whatits founders intended. have
sent three young men from Indiana" he said. the
most brilliant in my district and not one was adj
mitted, and doubt whether there is young man
In my district that can pass the examination re-
quired for entrance to the academy. AL failed on
Mathematics
Mr. Bedford wanted change at the military
academy. He characterized the institution as the
cooperative tyranny of this country, governed
Mr. Ellis defended the academy and the high
grade OF examinations required. "a beautiful
curriculum congress would prepared" he said in
speaking ola course Of study that congress might
decide upon.
Mr.. Randall said West Point should have the
highest possible standard. 1t is not question of
numbers, but question of Intelligence. The
| government did not want a full academy now,
| but would prefer to have only one-hnlf the re-
/ puiSu huhpcEI puJ ~ Wallis hhub huLnpSE Va thS
very best.
Mr.. Cox, Of New York, recommended the ap.
pointment ola committee to go to West Point and
| Annapolis to see that money was not wasted. He
| said he knew that snobbery ruled at West Point.
| When the next committee visits that academy he
hoped that the members will not be so well wined
and dined and danced that they cannot attend
properly to their work.
Mr.. Townshend said young man from his dis
trict, In Illinois, had failed to gain admission be-
cause he could not give the name of the vessel in
which Columbus crossed the ocean when this
country was discovered.
| Mr.. Belford again characterized the officers of
the institution snobs, and said that IL the father
or the mother of boy Mt West Point visited there,
and stopped at first class hotel, the rules of the
academy would not permit him to call upon them.
| Mr.. Steele, in answer, said that there was as
much truth in the statement of the gentleman
from Colorado as there was In the statement he
| had made a few days since, that he got up at 5
| o'clock to answer 100 letters
At 4:25 the committee rose, and the house adj
journcd to enable the democrats to hold joint
caucus in the hall OF representative.