The National tribune., 1884-01-24

instracting the committee on Ways and Means
to inquire into the expediency of abolishing or
consolidating any of the customs and internal
revenue districts.
THURSDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Thursday, Mr.. Robinson (O)
from the committee on Pensions, reported bill
pensioning Mrs. Mcclellan, the sole surviving
grandchild OF Thomas jefferson.
Dir. Springer co. chairman Of the committee
on Expenditures in the Department Of Justice,
reported back a resolution calling on the POST
master-General for copies OF all correspondence
between the Department of Justice and the
p0st-Odice Department touching the prosecu-
ton Of persons charged with frauds in connec-
ton with the star-ronte mail service, and
statement Of the names OF individuals found 10
be indebted TO the United States and the amount
of indebtedness of each in consequence of such
frauds: also for an iteinized statement OF the
expenditures in the Post-Oilice Department
from March 4 1881, TO January l, 1884, in the
investigation and prosecution OF such 1rands.
Adopted.
M Cox IN. " offered a resolution calling
on the Secretary Of the Navy for information
as to what progress has been made in the COM
pilation of the Union and Confederate naval
records of the war Of the rebellion, and what
steps are necessary TO secure their speedy pub
LEGATION. Adopted.
The following message from the President
was laid before the House.
10 the Senate and House Of Representatives:
transmit herewith for the consideration OF Con-
gress copy OF letter from the secretary OF state
OF the State Of Penmsy lvania, dated November %
1883 inclosing duly authenticated copy OF an act
al the Legislature Of that State, entitled An act
to provide for the preservation. use, custody, ana
disposition Of the marine hospital at Erie, ald
h making appropriation for the repair OF the
same approved July o 1883, and rendering to the
United States Government on behalf OF the COVER
nor. pursuance Of the provisions OF the act the
said marine hospital for as soldiersand sailors
home.
The papers having, upon their receipt, been re-
ferred by to the Secretary OF War, incicse also
copy % his letter Of the 18th inst returning the
same, together with copy OF the report OF
Captain Edward Mcguire, corps of engineers,
dated the 10th ult., giving a description OF the
property referred and expressing his views as to
lis adaptahlIfy for a soldiers and sailors home.
CHESTER A. Arthur.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan. l6, 1854
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House on Friday, the session was
principally occupied with discussion of the
| Fitz-John Porter bill, General Slocum, of New
| York, advocating its passage, and Mr. Steele,
of Indiana, presenting the views of the oppose
| ton. The latter gave history of the orders
| Of August q and %, which he declared Porter
bad utterly failed TO obey. For all the good
! he had done he might as well have taken his
corps and gone TO Washington. General
| Mcdowell had said that he firmly believed
that if Porter had gone in as ordered by
4 him, and as ordered by Pope the Union vic
tory would have been decisive. Hooker, Sigel,
Reynolds friends Of Porter, were engaged in
the battle and yet he turned not hand TO save
his country that day. Porter had declined to
obey because he said that If he moved his men
/ in as ordered he would have to fight, to which
Mcdowell had replied, " That is what we came
here for"
The Senate bin appropriating $100o,000 for
continuing the work of improvement on the
/ Mississippi River was then taken up and passed
By vote of 2l5 yeas TO 81 nays.
A bin was also passed making ali public roads
and highways post routes.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Saturday, the only subject
under discussion was the Fitz-John Porter bill
MesSrs Cutcheon, of Michigan; Browne, Of
Indiana, and Taylor, of Ohio, opposed the pas
sage Of the bill, and MeSsrS- Greenleaf, Of New
York, and McAdoo, of New jersey, addressed
the House in its favor. During the session
quite a sharp alteration occurred between
General Si0cum, who had charge of the bill
and several members ON the Republican side
and the former declared that there never was
such an absurdity perpetrated in any repre-
sentative body as had been enacted here-foH
800 gentlemen, knowing nothing about mill
tary matters, TO discuss grayely subject about
which they knew nothing whatever, and never
would know anything. He moved that the
committee rise"
The last remark of Mr. Slocum was received
!, with Indignation by the Republicans, and, a:
they were in the majority, they voted down
The House adjourned without action on th,
bill
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
In the House, on Monday, the 2Ist inst
among the bills introduced were the following
4
cation and provide a national series Of text
{ books for common schools within the jurisdic
J tion of Congress Ii provides that the Com
missioner of Education, with two assistants
shall, as soon as practicable. prepare complet'
series Of textbooks adapted and designed Il
the use of pupils OF every grade. in the com
mon schools of and within the districts ant
territory over which the United States exercis
exclusive legislative jurisdiction or provision.
9 BY Dir. Morgan fdo.), TO regulate attorneys
). fees in pension cases. 1t prohibits the receip
3 Of fees before the allowance Of the pension an.
! fixes the fee at SO each, except in case OF
' prior contract approved by the COMMISSIONS
OF Pensiongl
3 By Mr.. Cox N. c., for the employment 0
: double postal cards and postal envelopes.
= The Speaker proceeded TO cali committee
I for motions 10 suspend the. rules.
4 Mr.. Springer fOhio), chairman of the Com
nljtTee on Expenditures in the Department Q
< Justice, moved 10 suspend the rules anu ad0p
e q resolution for the increase of the membershi
e Of that committee TO niRe, and authorizing
; 70 appoint subcommittee, TO be composed Z
= not less than three members which shall b
committees of the House, send for papers an
a persons and employ a stenographer and sue
q other assistance as the committee deem nece.
q sary.
? After some debate Mr. Springer modified hi
resolution So as TO limit the expenditures 1
: 5000 and it was passed.
M. Holman (Ind.), moved TO suspend tll
o rules and adopt resolution declaring it th
a judgment Of the House that all unearfed land
|. grants should be forfeited and the lands r,
, stored 10 the public domain that All laws PEI
It hitting the purchase of large tracts of publ
e lands be repealed, and instIucting the Con
4 miftee on Public Lands to report bills carTyin
into effect these declarations.
After a brief debate, the resolution was passe
j by vote Of Isl yeas 10 is nays. In the cour
n Of the debate Mr. Belford Of Colorado said /
K did not propose that four or five cattle kin;
d should owD the West, as four or five raiiroa
n rnonarchs owned the East.
Mr Cox moved to suspend the rules and pa
e a bill repeating the Laws prescribing the irol
Of clad oath.
The motion was agreed to- and the blu pass
A. yeas l55. nays IL.
g TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
ID In the House, On Tuesday, Mr. Parker q
ne y , offered a resolution rcciting that it is Q
legged that the interests Of American agricu
n tnrists and dairymen are greatly and unjust