The National tribune., 1884-01-10
AFTER TIE RECESS.
Congress at Work Again---some New
Pension Measures.

Both Houses of Congress reassembled on
Monday last. In the Senate resolution pre-
scented by Mr. Miller, of California, relating to
the working of the Chinese exclusion act, was
agreed to, as follows:
ReSo,Ued, That the Secretary of the Treasury be.
and be is hereby directed to transmit to the Senate
all documentary information in his possession in
relation to the execution OF the act OF Congress en-
titled An act TO execute certain treaty stipulations
relating TO Chinese" approved May g. 1882, to-
gether with all facts which have come TO his
knowledge concerning the difficulties which have
been encountered by the officers OF the Govern
ment in the enforcement af said act
The Senate then, as in Committee of the
Whole, resumed consideration of the new
rules, and, with but few amendments and little
debate, adopted all except those on appropria-
tions and standing committees. which are re-
served for the present. Among the amend
ments made is one moved by Senator Morgan,
of Alabama, providing for a committee on fish
cries.
Senators Morgan and Frye spoke warmly
of the work of the fish commission and the
growing Importance of the fisheries.
On reporting the rules to the full Senate,
rule No. was at once taken up. 1t is the rule
relating to the Office of President pro tempore,
and as proposed gave that officer the power to
designate a substitute, who may perform the
duties of the chair for three days.
An amendment of Mr.. Garland was agreed
TO making the hour Of adjournment on each
occasion the limit of time for such perform
anee, except by unanimous consent of the Sem
ate and the rule as amended was adopted.
Among the bills introduced was one by Mr..
Logan (5,913) to increase the pensions of sol
diers and sailors who have lost an arm or a leg
in the service. Mr. ingalls, called up the bill Is.
u TO amend the arrears of pensions act, and
after being read a second time it was referred
to the Committee on Pensions:
House.
In the House, on Monday, the 7th inst,
Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, under instruc-
tions from the Committee on Rules, offered a
resolution adopting for twenty days the rules
of the Forty seventh Congress as the rules of
the present Congress. Adopted.
Among the go bills introduced were the fol-
lowing:
By Mr.. Rosecrans, of California: To place
George w. Getty on the retired list of the
army, with the rank of majo general. Also,
to enable the Capital Cable Railway Company
of Washington to construct its road. Also. TO
egualize bounties.
By Mr. Sumner, of California: To fix and
establish the maximum rate of freight fares on
the Union and Central Pacific Railroads TT
provides that after sixty days from the passage
of this act it shall be unlawful for those COM
panies TO charge greater sum than 20 per
cent. of the lowest rates of freight, or the low
est prices of carriage existing on the Sd Of De-
eember. 1888.
BY BIr. Thomas, of Illinois: Granting pen
sons to all United States soldiers and sailors in
the late war, who served thirty days or more
in any en- gagement therein, and to the widows
of all soldiers deceased.
By Mr.. Browne, of Indiana Providing that
whenever any foreign government shall pro-
hibit or impose undue restriction on the i'm
portation into It's ports or markets of American
cattle or swine or the products of such cattle
or swine, the President Shall by proclamation,
prohibit the importation into the United States
Of the wines and other liquors or such other
merchandise of such country as the President
may designate and this prohibition shall con-
time until the prohibition Of the foreign
country is annulled Also, granting arrears of
pension to special pensioners. Also, to prohibit
the mailing of letters or circulars concerning
lotteries, or newspapers, periodicals, or other
publication containing lottery advertisements,
and to provide a penalty for the violation Of
this act
By 3Ir. Henderson, of Iowa: Granting PEN
sions 20 soldiers and sailors of the late war who
served for three months and who are unable
by reason of physical disability, to earn a sub
sistence, or who are sixty-iive years of age.
By Mr.. Weller, OF Iowa: For the relief of the
soldiers and sailors of the late war, and TO re-
store to them equal rights in money payment
with the holders Of Government bonds TT
provides for the Issue of $500000,000 in Treas
ury notes with which to pay the soldiers and
sailors the difference in value between the
money paid TO them and gold, together with s
per cent. interest thereon