The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-11

ton, and had reported upon the bill as early as
was practicable.
Mr. Edmunds discaimed any reflection on the
committee. The subject was a most important
one, and needed considerable examination. The
enormous power, also, of the opposition to
scheme of this kind, and their demand to be
heard by counsel. and to examine witnesses and
present arguments, and generally that sorI Oh
investigation that great corporations always oe-
sired had the effect, whether intended or not,
to greatly delay matters before committees.
But now the committee on postofnces ana post
roads, being in possession Of all the hist""- Of
the subject and the broad fa".-s involved they
would not have to 90 over the whole ground
again IN aetH.l. Mr.. Edmunds expressed the
desire that the subject may be brought to vote
as early as possible.
A resolution offered by Mr. Morrill, was agreed
to, directing the payment from the contingent
expenses Of the Senate committee appointed to
attend the funeral of General Grant
A resolution offered by Mr. Doph was agreed
to, calling on the Secretary of War to transmit
to the Senate copy of the report of Captain w.
Fl. Bixby United States Engineer Corps relating
to seacoast Notifications in Europe in 1881 and
1882
Mr.. Mcpherson presented a joint resolution
of the Legislature of New Jersey recommend
ing congressional inquiry as to the fitness of a
pose of penal colony for long term or lifeterm
convcts. Referred to the committee on Terri
tories.
A joint resolution, introduced by Mr. Morrill,,
was read three times, and passed, re-appointing
as members of the board of regents of the Smith
sonian Institution. John MacLean, of New Jer
sey, Asa Gray, of Massachusetts. and Henry
Coppee, of Pennsylvania and also appointing on
the same board General Meigs, of Washington,
in the place of General Sherman. rendered in
p1ipihle ny the removal of his residence from
Washington res
Mr.. Dolph introduced bill to repeal the law
Of last session providing for the settlement
of claims OF officers and enlisted men of
erty. destroyed in the military service of
the United States. This is the law to which the
President calls attention in his message as SIN
definite in its terms" and as to which he says:
amendment" In moving reference Of the bill
to the committee on military affairs, Mr. Dolph
read the Presidents comments. and had the
Clerk read from the report of the Secretary of
War the statements of that officer with regard
to the law in question. and the difficulty expert
enced in its Interpretation. From these state
ments it appears that one of the claims presented
was for indemnity for loss of clothing OF a fam.
lily Of six. another for household furniture de-
stroyed in the great fire at Chicago and another
for loss of two gold watches. Mr. Dolph said he
saw 10 reason why the government should act
as insurer of the property of officers and soldiers
IN Its army, any more than of the property of
many other classes Of its servants. He objected
TO the law, also, upon the ground that it estab-
iished no limit to the amount Of property that
should be paid for and that it did not sufficiently
define the nature of articles that were to be COW
cred by its provisions
Mr. Cockrell saw no reason for any difficulty
IN the Interpretation Of the law. 1t was as spe-
ttnc an me nature OF things. as it could be. He
Department who could decide which articles
were necessary and valuable
Mr.. Logan was opposed to the government be-
coming an insurer; but the act complained Of
Mr.. Plumb thought the law placed a very
dangerous power in the hands Of the Secretary
of War.
Mr.. Logan said the law applied to the officer
ana solder IN their capacity as officer and sol
referred to the committee on military affairs.
Among other bills introduced and appropri-
ately referred were the following:
By Mr.. Conger: To enable the light house
board to increase the number of light house dis
tricts in the Western rivers; also, providing for
the erection Of building for the light house
board in Washington. D. G.
By Mr. Plat: To relieve commercial travel
ers from taxes.
By Mr. Wilson, of Iowa: To protect the in.
terests of the United States in respect to any in
cumbrances on property wherein it has an in
terest. The bill empowers the Secretary of the
Treasury. under the direction of the President,
to pay of any lawful membranes upon govern
ment property whenever, in his opinion, it is
deemed expedient
By Mr.. Wilson: To promote peace among
nations The bill authorizes the President to
enter into negotiations with other governments
with view TO the formation of an international
treaty for the arbitration OF any difficulties that
may arise among nations, and requests him to
lnViSe other nations to send delegates to pro-
poSe9 international peace convention, to be held
In washington at such time as he may fix, and
apProprlates $lOO, 600 for this purpose.
BY Mr.. George: To establish agricultural ex-
pertinent stations in connection with the agri-
culIural colleges IN the several States
by Mr. Plumb: To open to homestead settle
m ~, certain portions of the Indian Territory.
~. ms Is the OIiohama bill of the last Congress
Mr.. Plumb said this measure was literal COPY of
the one introduced in the last Congress. and
passed at the closing hours Of the session By
that Dill the President was authoritarian he
thougnt the word 'authorizedn meant REQUIRED
10 open negotiations with the Indians for the
purpose Oh securing cesson of the land. 1t
nao oeen expected that would be done during |
Inc last summer, and that the results would be |
iepor1eo TO Congress at this session. He was
INFORMED, however, that no steps had been taken |
IA Inas direction, and thought it important that
SnI se"iement OF this question should be |
reaGneu. IL not settled by Congress- it might |
sette 1tseif In way not creditable to the coun-
try. he expressed the hope that the measure |
wouio receive the early attention of the com
committee on Indian affairs.
by Mr. van Wyck: To establish an additional |
land district in the State of Nebraska.
ny mr.. Gibson: To transfer the TJnited St,tes |
barracks at Baton Rouge to the I.ou.,an Se.,
University. :" 'no LOUISIANA state
BY Mr. Call: To repeal all lava ON, 80
laws peohioititing pensions to wounded soiS;ara
aud officers without proof of iovaitv s s:u
amend the articles of so that no nerson ~"
20 "leo ~ courtmartA for dssar. ion |