Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-04
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

1 The Work of fCougress-Matters that Will l Engage the senate-The House Drifting l Along Without Rules-Bat Chance fOr | Doing Some Business.
 1 WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-Very little can be
 predicted as to the work in the Senate for | the coming eek. The unfinished bushes is 1 MT Bayard's bill to settle Mexican land claims This measure has been debated several days and may not be settled until late in the week. I An effort will be made to get up Mir. McPher- sons bill relating to national bank circulation.
 The friends of the Fitz John Porter bill are anxious for it's early consideration and will try to have it taken up as soon as reported.
 Msnythings come up, however, unexpectedly. The direction which business will take in the House during the present week is more than ordinarily problematical from the fact that the House is now without rules. Mir. Blackburns absence looking after his sena- torial chances has left the Committee on
 Rules evenly divided Messrs. Carlisle and
 Randall representing the Democratic and
 Messrs Keller and Reed the Republican side
 There is quite difference in the views of these members as to certain portions of the rules,
 notably those relating to the mode of getting
 business off the calendars. The present rules operate 90 as to make the calendar 8 ceme-
 tery for most of the bills reported. Last
 week the House drifted along without
 rules, the old rules practically govern
 ing 1t with but single case of their
 being called in question. The House may follow this feeling, OF it may again extend the time as the new rules may not be reported until after Mir. Blackburn's return. The only business on the calendar that may require much time for consideration is the Dingley shipping bill which both sides are now ready to discuss. It will probably come up this week. The Committee on Accounts is about ready to report in the matter of Brownlow-Keifer and other officers of the last House. It is doubtful if it's discussion is reached this week. When it comes up there is probability of lively times. The Committee on Elections is ready to report in the Chalmers Manning Mississippi case and the Garrison-Mayo Virginia case, both of which were referred for 8 determination of the Prlma fac1e claims before examining into the general merits of the cases. In the Missis- sippi case the Democrats unite with the Re- publican majority against both, and in the Virginia case the committee is nearly unsn- imous in favor of Mayo's prims facie claims, he having received the legal certificate. This will not prevent the unseating of Mayo should the investigation of the case warrant such action. Being questions of high privi- lege these cases will be called at an early day. The call of States will be made tomorrow un- der the rules; individual motions to suspend; pass bills will then be in order for the rest of ahe day, but as neither party can command twO-thirds vote nothing of interest is likely to occur. The House Committee on Public Lands will consider the bill proposing the forfeiture of land granted 10 the Atlantic and Pacific railroad and aftsrward the Northern Pacific railroad case will be taken up. In the case of the Northern Pacific there will probably be good deal of discussion owing to the many legal points involved. 1 The Committee on Pacific Railroads expect soon to report to the House with favorable | recommendation the bill compelling land | grant roads to pay the costs of surveying | their lands and to take title therefor Until | the measure becomes a law the land held by | railroads is not taxable by the States in | which it is located.
 Late to night it is learned that Mr. Ran dall, from the Committee on Rules will to- morrow report the new rules which the House has been waiting for patiently for several sweeks.
 Carlisle Not a Candidate.