National Republican., 1884-01-22
UP ON THE HILL.
Both Branches Of Congress Show Very Evident
Signs Of Life.
Numerous New and Important Bills In
troduced in the House.
Mr.. Anderson Deals Lobbying EK-Members Severe
Body Blow.
Tho Mexican Treaty UP Again In the Sem
nte Briefly.
TIE SEN AWE.

THE SENATE.
In the senate yesterday morning the chair an
nounced that the new rules went into operation
yesterday.
The chair laid before the senate bills from the
house of representatives, one making all public
roads and highways post routes; and another to
enable the courts Of the United States, In cases
where patents have been obtained by fraud, to
annul the patents on the application OF the attor-
ney general.
Several petitions were presented, praying for an
investigation as to divorce legislation in the diff
ierent states and to arrange for the collection of
divorce statistics.
The following petitions were also presented and
appropriately REFEREED
By MIR. Cockrell: From ex.soldiers of the union
army resident in Missouri, praying that all ex-
prisoners OF war be pensoned.
by Mr. Logan: From number OF ex.soldiers,
praying for tue passage Of the bill for equaliza-
uon OF bountes
Also, for the opening of the Sioux reservation.
AsO, for land grants to soldiers.
By Mr. Plumb From the state board of agricul.
ture of Arkansas praying for the enactment of
such measures by congress as may stamp out tho
Bills were introduced as follows
By Mr. Brown; To appropriate 100000 for the
BY Mr. Lapham: To provide for the erection OF
abTonze statue OF Simon Bolivar in Washington
By Mr.. Edmunds: To amend the act granting
nid for the construction of u railroad and tele-
graph line from the Missouri river TO the Pacific
ocean, and to secure to the government the use OF
the same for postal and military and other pur-
poses approved July l. 1862, and the bills amenda-
tory theTGot one of whiGn pEoyidses for the settle,
secure to the United States the indebtedness of
the companies to them. In presenting this bill,
Mr.. Edmunds snid that 1t had been prepared by
the commissioner of railroads. and is very i'm
portant bill. Its object lie. ii possible to bring to
termination the controversy which appears to
he perpetual between the United States and these
railroad companies AS TO what they should pay in
and to provide for opening up the transactions by
new arrangement on Il long bond TO take tht
place of the obligation of the companies to repay
the United States to provide legal securities for
such repayment, aud methods for the enforcement
thereof.
1t would be we'll Mr.. Edmunds added to make
such arrangements as would secure to the United
States the certain reimbursement by these com
panies Of the vast sums of money involved.
Whether the methods provided by this bill are or
are not the best, they deserve consideration.
some authority should be conferred on the Presl-
dent of the United states by which he may be en-
Abled To secure the interests of the United States
in case of foreclosure and sale. or other disposi
tion of the property under the mortgages which
are prior to the claim of the United States. The
bill was referred to the judiciary committee
Mr. Van Wyck offered the following resolution {:
ReSo red, That any further consideration of the
reciprocity treaty between Mexico and the United
States be had in open session Of the senate.
A point Of order was raised by Mr.. Anthony,
that such resolution could not be considered,
nor even received in open session. and the chair
Mr.. Van wyck appealed from the decision of
the chair.
on motion of Mr.. Edmunds the senate then
closed Its doors, and after few minutes of secret
session, the doors were reopened.
Mr.. Van Wyck withdrew his appeal.
Mr.. Gibson submitted the following resolution,
which lies on the table, to be hereafter called up.
"Reso ued, That the committee on foreign rela-
tions be instructed TO ascertain and report 10 the
senate what Determinations, If any, have been
made by foreign governments against the people
OF the United States, by allowing drawbacks in
favor of their own explorations that come in com
Nut I'm n m bat nf \, n
world, by subsidies or special bounties in favor
of their steamship lines, or tnat impose export
duties upon commodities largely consumed in the
United States, or that prohibit or restrain the I'M
portation OF the productions OF the United States
by unusual laws and regulations, or by higher
rates. on American vessels, or by special reci-
procily treaties or otherwise, and also the force
and effect OF the most favored nation clause as
found in commercial or reciprocity treaties, with
such recommendations as the committee on for
eign relations may deem necessary and proper"
The following resolution was offered by Mr..
Sherman, and agreed to-:
"'rhat the secretary of the treasury be directed
to transmit to the senate copies of official reports
from treasury agents and collectors of customs
tending to show fraudulent uuderyaluaton or
classification of wool imported into the United
States, and such further information in the
treasury department as may enable congress to
provide guards against such frauds
Mr.. Morgan offered the following resolution
which was agreed to:
structed to inquire into the subject of the settle
mcnts and trading posts now being made and es
tablished IN the valley OF the Congo river in
Africa and report rs To any action that may be
properly taken by congress or the executive in
the firherauce of our commerce in that quarter
aud that said committee report by bill, or other.
wise"
The senate then proceeded to the consideration
oil the bills upon its calendar The first TO engage
attention WAS the bill reported from the committee
on private lands, which provides a method Of per
tecting title to lands lying within the lImits o
the republic OF Mexico. 1t provides that any per
son or corporation claiming lands under suct
lawful though incomplete Spanish or Mexican
grant, warrant, concession, or survey rs tn,
United States are bound to recognize by virtue o
the treaties of cession, may petition the United
Safes district court for the district in which til,
land Is situated, setting forth the nature of th,
claim, and so forth; and the court is vested with
power u hear and determine the matter and liz
and complete the title.
The bill provides, in elaborate form, the cours
of procedure to be observed with regard to tn,
Claims and rights of contendng parties,
Mes RS. B yard and Conser had u little tilt II
regard to the bill. the former urging its passag
and the latter desiring it to lie until he coulC
nHSe an n, opportunity , OF eTsminns M it. n tn
unless there was some job steal in the bill ther
@ MAS no necessity for pushing iltnrough now. Mr
moved that ~ be made the special order for Mon
day next; The motion was agreed to.
The bill permitting retired army officers to h0lt
civil office in the territories was taken up. Nj
Plumb opposed it. Retired army officers are II
Ieceip' of government salaries aud they should
time in this country when army officers woul,
come to administer civil government The arm
has no place, in gross or In detail. in govern
mental administration, except in time of wal
This was II step TO keep ont OF civil office thos
who had not the good fortune to be educated a
West Point.
Mr.. CocErell thought that the people OF eac
state and territory could be trusted to look afle
their own affairs in such matter.
Mr.. Hawley explained that In case in point
:eired officer on very small pay, living in a terri
tory aud N poor health had been elected TO til
OlIce OF county clerk, but could not accept tn
OiiCe under the law as 1t is. He agreed with MI
C,ckrell, and thought the bill ought to pas
which II did, by vote Off yeas TO IL nays.
The bill for the establishment of civil govern
ment in Alaska was taken up. II provides for
governor to be appointed By the President wit
powers similar to those of governors of other tel
r!tOreS and establishes courts, &c. An amend
meut proposed in committee was adopted in IN
Eenale, muking the laws Of Oregon, so far as Al
pIicRble, the laws of Alaska. Without reachin
conclusion on the BILL the senate at 4:2O) wen
into executive session. AMI when the doors wer
reopened (at 4;i5) adjourned.
THE HOUSE.
Under the call of states the following bills, &c
4