The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
A WEEKS NEWS.
Cleaned by Telegraph and Mail
CoNGREssI0NAL.


} IN the Senate, on the 10th, Mr.. Bayard
submitted a resolution instructing the Com
mittee on Judiciary to report as to the ex-
pediency of amending the constitution so as
to provide that Congress shall not have power
TO make anything but gold ana silver coin
legal tender for the payment OF oeots, nor
pass any law impairing obligation contracts.
Mr. Garland submitted joint resolution pro-
posing the following amendment 70 the Con-
stitution, article IL: "That portion OF the
by notes issued under the authority of law,
with quality of lawful money and as legal
tender for the payment of debts, shall never
exceed $3.50 100000 unless bill or bills pro-
yidinR for such increase shall receive the
concurrence of two-thirds of each House, and
the votes on all such bills shall be recorded by
yeas and nays on the journal of each House" "
In the House, among other business was
the reception of the returned 'Lasker reso-
luton" Considerable feeling was manifested,
and a resolution was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs expressive of the
sense of House in the matter. Mr.. Cassidy,
from the Committee on the Pacific Railroads,
reported a bill to incorporate the Spokane
Falls Il CRur d'Alene Railroad Company,
In the Senate on the 11th, Mr.. Allison
presented a memorial and joint resolution of
the Legislature of Iowa, urging the National
Government to avail itself of the power
granted by the Constitution to regulate COM
merce of the States, praying Congress to pass
laws in pursuance of that power for the regu-
figures as will allow reasonable return and
no more for the amount actually eX-
pended in the construction OF roads.
The Senate then went into executive session
for further consideration of the Mexican
treaty, and when the doors were reopened ad-
journed In the House Mr.. Morrison re-
ported favorably from the Ways and Means
Committee the bill to reduce import duties
and the war tariff. The new tariff bill was ac-
companied with a written report. McKenley
submitted the view of the minority. The
,f NJ rr,ch nd a,f
into Committee of the Whole on the Post-office
Appropriation bill. The bill having been read
by sections, Mr.. Horr moved to increase to
$l2, ,2j0, 600 the appropriation for compensation
of postmasters. Pending action, the commit
tee rose.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. jackson
submitted joint resolution providing for
submission to the States of a constitutional
amendment making the Presidential term six
years. and making a President ineligible to a
reelection. A number of bills were reported
favorably and placed on the calendar. The SEN
ate took up the bill for the relief of Fftz John
Porter, which led to a hong debate without re-
suit, and after executive session the Senate
adjourned The House went into Committee
of the Whole on the Postoftice Appropriation
bill. The Committee of the Whole, by vote
of lis to 45, struck out the. clause limiting
salaries of pOStmasters to $4,OOO. An amend
ment offered by Mr.. Horr increasing from
$I0,5O0,000 10 $12, 900 the appropriation for
compensation to postmasters was lost-74 to
alton for clerks in postofices by SI25, 900. The
amendment was lost-17 to III.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Harrison,
from the Committee on Territories, reported
favorably and had placed on the calendar the
bill for the admission of Dakota. Mr.. Plumb
submitted a joint resolution, which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Agriculture, ap-
propriating S25 600 to be made Immediately
available under the direction of Commission
on Agriculture, for the suppression of the foot
and mouth disease among the cattle in Kan
sas. The bill for the relief of FitZ John Porter
was taken up, and Mr.. MandersCu addressed
the Senate in opposition to it. After long
discussion the bill was read a third time and
passed by vote of 30 to %. In the
House a resolution was adopted directing the
Committee on Public Lands TO investigate
matters pertaining to the grant of 200,0 ,000
acres to the State of Michigan to aid in the
construction of a breakwater, harbor and ship
canal, and by that State given to the Lake Su-
perior and Portage Lake Canal Company, and
determine whether the grant is liable TO for
feiture. The House went into Committee OF
the Whole on the Postoffice Appropriation
bill, the pending amendment being that of in
creasing the appropriations for the payment
of letter carriers and incidental expenses OF
the free delivery service from s., 10000 to 81,
000,000 The amendment was adopted by II
TO l55. Several other amendments were OF
fered, and at o'clock the House adjourned.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Plumt
called up the joint resolution appropriatinl
$4,000 for the eradication of the foot anC
mouth disease. Mr.. Plumb said it was a very
serious disease, and did not affect the State o.
Kansas merely, but all the States. He sent tC
the desk and had read dispatch from the
Governor of Kansas, urging the Importance
of immediate action. Mr.. Sherman moved Il
amend by striking out the clause which pro
vides that the money be expended in cooper
alton with the authorities of Kansas, al
the disease was apt TO spread Il
other States and affect the swine anC
other animals. Mr.. Cullom though
the amount should be $4,000 and the resolu
ton passed at once. A long discussion en-
sued, when the Senate adjourned until Mon
day. In the House, the bill granting pen
sion of 5000 year to Septimina Randolph
Meikleham, sole surviving grandchild o
Thomas Jefferson was taken up, and favor
able report was read. Considerable opposi
tion was manifested against the bill, it beini
thought that il inaugurated a civil pension
system, and it was killed by vote of l29 to &C