St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-12-20
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
Nosys from Everywhere.
Congressional Proceedings.

Congressional Proceedings.
In the Senate on the 8th the Chair laid
before that body the naval appropriation
bill as it came from the House. A letter was
read from General Grant respectfully de-
clining pension, even if the bill were unan-
imously passed; and Mr.. Mitchell, the author,
withdrew the bill. The Senate amendment
to the unearned land grant bill was insisted
upon and new conference commute was
appointed. Among the bills introduced was
one to provide for an appropriation to pro-
mote the cOlored peoples worlds EXPOSE
ton to be held at Chicago. .....In the House
q number of new bills were introduced,
among the more important being the follow
ing: An amendment by Mr. ToWnshend thar
the consent of the House shall be required as
well as that of the Senate in making treaties;
an amendment to the act making loan IN
aid of the New Orleans Worlds Exposition;
to open for settlement certain portions OF
the Indian Territory; to suspend the coinage
of standard silver dollars; to prevent the
contraction of the currency. Discussion OF
the Interstate commerce bill was resumed.
THE Senate on the 9th further insisted
upon its amendments to the naval appropfla-
ton bill, and new Conference Committee
was appointed. Mr.. Sherman introduced
bill providing for the erection of a statue to
the memory of Lafayette. motion TO take
up the Oregon Central land forfeiture bill was
voted down. By q party vote the Dill 1of
the admission of Dakota was taken up, ME-
Harrison addressing the Senate at con con
road land grant forfeiture bill was made the
specat orIer tor the 10th. The bill to pro-
vide Tor the sale of the Cherokee reservation
in Arkansas was passed...... In the House
Mr. Chalmers introduced bill to restore
'epublican form of government to MISSISSIPPI
pi. Consideration of the inter state com
merce bill was resumed, Messrs. Barksdale
(of Mississippi), Horr (of Michigan), Reagan
(of Texas), Boyle and Weaver (of Iowa. tax
ing part There was quite lively debate
between Messrs Horn and Reagan.
IL
presided. An invitation to attend the
Worlds Fair at New Orleans was received
On the strength of letter from Captain
Eads, the inte- oceanic ship railway bill
was withdrawn. Mr.. Vest spoke on the Da-
kOta bill. He declared that the population
of the Territory was not enought to entitle
it to representation in Congress. After
brief executive session the Senate adjourned
In the House, the resignation of Repre-
sentative Scales (of North Carolina) was
received. Mr.. keifer offered an amend
ment requiring that hereafter all military
appointments to the grade of Second Lieu
tenant be confined to graduates OF the
Military Academy, and to meritorious nom
commissioned officers recommended for
promotion in the manner now provided by
law. Mr.. Morrison offered resolution pro-
Viding for recess from December 23d to
January 9Th. Referred. Consideration of
the Interstate commerce bill was resumed
MIR. Turner (of Kentucky supported the
Reagan substitute. A message from the
President was received transmitting the re-
port of the Secretary OF State in reference
TO framing q law for the preventing of col
Isions at sea.
In the Senate on the 11th Mr.. Van Wyck.
{of Nebraskag offered d resolution that the
rules be so amended that hereafter treaties,
which concern matters of revenue, be con-
sidered in open session. On objection the
matter went over one day. The Calves
ton harbor bill was made q special
order, for January 9Th. The Oregon Cen,
NJ La, ,f1sN1 III
at length. The Dakota bill was dis
cussed by Mr.. Harrison (of Indiana) who
strongly urged the admission OF the Terri
tory into the Union. Mr.. Sherman offered
Joint resolution, which was passed, ap-
pointing Saturday, February 2lst, as the day
for the ceremonies connected with the COM
pletion of the Washington monument. Ad-
journedsuntil Monday....In the House Mr..
Hancock reported the invalid appro-
priation bill; referred to the committee
OF the whole. Consideration of the inter-
State commerce {bill was resumed A gen.
efsa understanding was reached that debate
shall close the next day the subject is taken
up, Mr. Randall gave notice that at the
proper time he would move to recommit the
whole subject. Mr. Hisc0ck offered feSoIu-
ton to appoint a joint committee to inpesti-
gate the New York canals, and their relations
with inter State commerce.
THE Senate was not in session on the
18th. The day session of the House was
almost entirely taken up with the discussion
Of a resolution introduced by Mr.. Warner
kof Oho), who claims that his colleague, j.
ID. Taylor, during the recess had printed in
the Record a speech that was not delivered on
the floor, and which reflected on committees
of the Senate and the House, on members,
and on the House itself. HeWanted that
speech expunged from the Record. 1t
seems that the speech referred to
was thrust at pension legislation,
and Mr.. Warner was chairman OF
the House Committee having in charge
some special pension matters. Mr.. Warner
animadverted on the prevailing custom of
printing speeches in the Record that are
point Mr.. Cox (of New York; was called to
his feet, and the debate was both spicy and
fiery at times. Mr.. Warmers resolution was
resolution in reference to the ceremonies in
connection with the completion of the
Washington monument. At the evening
session a number of private? pension bids