The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-23
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Petitions, Memorials, Committee Reports and
Other Routine Business.

Petitions, Memorials, Committee Reports and
Other Routine Business.
WASHINGTON, April 22.-Mr. Miller, of Cali
fornia, presented a petition of citizens of Cali
fornia, praying an increase of duty on imported
raisins from two to three cents per pound. Re
ferred to the committee on finance.
Mr. Blair, from the committee on education
and labor, reported favorably the bill to create n
commission to inquire into and report upon the
material, industrial and intellectual progress
made by the colored people of the United States
since 1865. Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Conger offered resolution, which was
agreed to-, directing the Secretary of War to
cause inquiry to be made and report to the Sen
ate as to the amount of value of all aids and
grants of any kind from the United States to
the State of Michigan for the Portage Lake and
Lake Superior ship canal to the present
time, computing the value of all
lands donated therefor by the general
government at 81 % per acre; also as to all other
receipts, whether by tolls ortotherwise from said
canal, and the costs and charges for construction
and operation of the canal and also to report
upon what conditions it would be just and proper
for the United States to purchase said canal and
use it as a free water ayEfor commerce; further
to inquire and report upon what terms the Port
age Lake and River Improvement Company will
use for commerce, all their rights to the Portage
Lake and River Improvement
A resolution was passed granting the privileges
of the floor of the Senate to the Commissioner of
Agriculture and the secretaries of the Smithso-
Man Institution.
Mr.. Miller, of California, remarked that there
were some matters requiring immediate attention
in connection with our foreign affairs which
rendered short executive session desir-
able, and accordingly the Senate went into
reopened, Mr.. Hoar moved that, dispens
ing for the day with the special order 1.-THE
pleuro- pneumonia bill) the Senate should take
up and consider bills under the operation of the
five minute rule.
Mr. Plumb said that at the suggestion of sew
eral senators, who thought differing opinions as
to some of the provisions of the pleuro- pneumonia
bill might be harmonized by tomorrow, he
would not object TO the bill going over for to day
Mr. Beck inquired of Mr. Frye when he ex
pected to bring up the shipping bill.
Mr. Frye replied that he was ready and anx-
ious to bring it up at the earliest moment. He
hoped the pleuro pneumonia bill would be taken
up Immediately after consideration of the morn
ing business to morrow, in order that it may be
disposed of as soon as possible, and so give ear
er opportunity for the consideration of the ship
ping bill.
Several senators, however objected to the dis
placement of the calendar which would result
from this arrangement.
The Senate then proceeded to consider bills on
the calendar and under the eighth rule, took
up, on motion of Mr.. jackson, the bill to give
the assent of Congress to the construction of a
free bridge by the mayor and City Council of
Nashville Tenn, over the Cumberland river.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Voorhees, moved to take up the bill grant
ing pension to Mrs. Caroline IL. McDougal,
widow of Rear admiral McDougal, who was now,
he said, in her old age almost entirely de-
prived of sight.
This motion led to short discussion of pen
sion matters and resulted as a substitute for the
action moved by Mr. Voorhees,, in taking up