Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-03-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
MONDAY. FEB. D.


SeI2ate-Mr. Ransom offered a Joint
resolution to appropriate 800, 900 for the
relief OF the sufferers by the recent
great wInd-storm In the southern states.
He said that over 500 people were kilt
ed and many thousands wounded, and
the suffering resulting from the storm
was awful
] Messrs. Brown and Pugh supported
the resolution. 1t was referred, and the
senate resumed the consideration of the
Currency bill. Mr.. George spoke in OPP
position to it.
+ HOuSe-On motion of Mr.. Hiscock, a
resolution was adopted calling on the
secretary of the treasury for informa-
ton as to what time the rebates ON the
tobacco crop will be paid to claimants,
and if there is to be any delay, and the
causes thereof, and what can be doue to
effect more speedy payment.
On motion Of Mr.. Poland, resolution
was adopted directing the Judiciary
committee to inquire whether the act of
the legislature of Dakota to provide for
the levy Of tax on the property of
railroad companies does not conflict
with the organic act establishing that
Territory.
Under the call of the states, the fol-
lowing bills were introduced and refer
red:
By Mr. Oates-To prohibit aliens and
foreigners acquiring or owning land
within the United States.
! By Mr.. Rosecrans-TO authorize the
coinage of silver dollars and fractions
thereof, under the metric system. Also
for the coinage of the gold metric dol
lar, the two dollar and fraction of dol
lar, and the double eagle, eagle and
half eagle. Also for the coinage of
''stella." Also to establish a system
of coinage of gold and silver and to
obtain proximity in value between
them.
TUESDAY, FEB. &c.
iSe11dte-Sen. Plumb offered a resolu
ton which was agreed to, calling on the
commissioner of agriculture to furnish
information of the annual amount of
wheat, rye, corn and cotton produced
in this country during five years preced-
ing 1882, the amount used at home for
food, fodder, seed and other purposes,
the amount exported, and the surplus,
if any, at the end of said group of years,
a similar information for the years
of 1882 and 1883 separately and
an estimate as to the year 1884: also,
whether ia his judgment speculation by
options Or futures in these productions,
where no actual transfer takes place,
tend to affect the market value of
commodity to the injury of the consum-
er or producer.
The bill passed authorizing the state
of California to select other lands in
place of the 10Th and 36th sections, re-
turned as mineral.
Sen. Hoar's polygamy bill passed over,
owing to the obsence of that senator
with the senate investigating committee
at New Orleans.
Sen. Mcpherson criticised the secre-
tary Of the navy for his disposition to
get rid of all old vessels and build new
ones. Sen. Butler defended the secre-
tary. The debate continued for con-
siderable length and without action the
senate went into executive session and
soon adjourned.
House After transaction of routine
matters the house went into committee
OF the whole, Cox of New York, ia the
chair, on the pleuro pneumonia bill.
Mr.. Hopkins offered an amendment
providing that the appointment of ex-
aminers shall be with the consent of the
state legislatures.
Nh. Eaton opposed the amendment
because the bill could not lie amended
SO as to make it decent. 1t was uncon-
stitHtional from head to heel
Mr.. KassOn urged the necessity Of
federal inspection of laws of some sort
that would furnish to foreign nations a
prima facie evidence for the safety of
the meat product expectations from the
United States; million dollars a week
hung upon consideration.
The committee rose informally to re-
ceive message from the senate and con-
gress asked unanimous consent for the
immediate passage Of the joint resold-
ton expressing the appreciation of con-
gress and the people of the United States
at the generous act of her Brittanic
majcsty's government in presenting to
the United States the steamship Alert.
Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 81.
Sendte-Mr. Dawes, from the commit
tee on Indian A%@airs, reported favorably
bill for the allotment of lands in sew
crafty to the Indians of Umatilla reser-
walton, in Oregon.
Bills were introduced and referred, as
follows:
By Mr.. Maxey.To improve the chan
mel between Galveston and the Gulf of
Mexico.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered the following
resolution, for which he asked immedl-
ate consideration:
Resolved: That the committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads be directed to
inquire whether at any time the West
ern Union and Baltimore and Ohio Tel
graph Companies, or any officers or en-
ployes of said companies, entered into
contract or negotiation for the purpose
of consolidating said companies, or max
ing combination for any purpose.
House = Mr.. Morrison, Chairman of
the Ways and Means Committee, report
ed resolution directing the secretary
of the Treasury to inform the house how
much money there is now in the treas
ury of the United States, under what
provisions of law it is there retained,
and how much, in view of the current
receipts and expenditures and the legal
liabilities of the treasury, can be appli-