St. Landry democrat., 1885-02-21
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
coNGREss1oNAL PRoCEEpINGs. I

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGs.l
IN the Senate on the 9th bills were
Hassed increasing the appropriation for
1,nbIic buildings at Quincy, ILL.,, to 100000, |
and at Peoria to S245,OOO. The amendments
of the Senate committee to the House bill
to prevent unlawful Enclosure OF Ene
nubIic lands were cOncurred in. MI Beck
smoke on the anti-silYer coming bill.
Messrs Morgan and Morrill, incidentally took
part in the debate. The pension appropria-
ton bill was taken up, and the result OF q
test vote taken prevents the lacking ON OF
Legislative amendments to appropriation
diIls..... In the House during the continue
4ion of SATURDAYS session consideration OF
the river and harbor bill was resumed. An
amendment appropriating S25O,OOO Tor the
Improvement OF Sicksourg narDor Was
out the Galveston harbor item, but Mr..
Willis explained that the committee had
oded that eaqse ana ens
hill was taken up and discussed at length
Without action the bill went over.
In the Senate on the 10Th memorial
from the Legislature of Dakota IN refer
ence to the division and admission OF that
territory was presented. Mr. Sherman's
resolution in reference to medals 20 COM
memorate the completion OF Washington
Monument was adopted. The Dill TO pre-
vent unlawful occupancy OF the pupNc
lands was passed the pensions ap a}teI is
cnssfon was passed substantially as IL came
frpm the Senate Committee, all legislative
measures found in the bill as it came from
the House relating to pension attorneys,
ETC. being stricken out, as the Senate haa
already passed a special DILL contain
ing ali these provisions. 49,. In the House
the Post. Office appropriation bill was taken
up and read by paragraphs. motlon 10 IN.
crease the amount for compensation OF
Postm asters from $12,300,000 to $l3OOO,eOOs
lost. and motion to increase the amount
for Post Office clerks met with a similar 1ate.
No further action was taken.
In the Senate on the 18th the army APP
prop ration bill was reported. The bill was
passed providing permanent reservations
for the Indians OF Northern Montana. AT
about IL m. the Senators proceeded to the
Hall of the House to take part IN the
counting of the electoral vote After
the return to the Senate chamber there
was a long discussion on the closing SEN
fence of Mr.. Edmunds' declaration OF the
result of the electoral count, he having
stated that it was 90 declaration only as
public statement in the presence OF the two
houses of Congress of the contents of the pa
Ders opened and read on this occasion and
not as possessing any authority in law to
declare any legal conclusion whatever"
Mr.. Ingalls, offered resolution dissent
ing, and Mr. Hoar offered resolution de-
cIaring that the Constitution ana laws have
been duly executed and that no further
declaration is necessary. Both went over.
The bill to repeal the pre- emption and
timber culture laws was debated. In the
House q great crowd assembled to witness
the counting of the electoral vote. Before
the hour arrived but little was done. The
Senate entered q few moments before twelve
m. and Mr.. Edmunds called the assembly
to order. stating the object that brought
the two houses together. The certificates
last State had been called and the compu-
tation made, Mr.. Edmunds, announced that
Grover Cleveland had received for President
2l9 votes and Thos. A. Hendricks for Vice.
President the same number, and both were
elected The usual resolutions were offered
ana then the House proceeded, after the Sem
atorS retired, with consideration OF the Post
Office appropriation bill and made consider
able progress.
In the Senate ON the 10Th the bill to for
Seitthe Texas Pacific land grant was restored
50 it's place on the special order. Messrs.
Sherman, Hawley and Ransom were ap-
nointed a committee to make the necessary
arrangements for the coming Inauguration.
A long debate ensued on the Dill repeating
the pre- emption and timber culture laws.
Mr. Van Wyck offered joint resolution to
be referred to the Committee ON PuoIic
sales of lands under special grants
while certain measures are pending.
An amendment was offered IN reference
to conflicting claims, ana giving Tne IN.
terror Department in the United
states courts Jurisdiction therein, and the
bill was finally passed The army appropri-
alton bill was also passed, with amend
ments In the House the chaplain invoked
Siivine protection over him who had been
elected President. The Senate amena1nenI TO
the consular and diplomatic and pension ap-
rropriation bills were non concurreu In. Con-
Gideration OF the Post office appropriation
bill was resumed. Mr.. Skinner's anend-
ment in reference to extending the letter.
carrier service to places OF l0,0OO lnhabit.
ants was ruled out. The appropriation fer
the star route service and the railway postal
clerks were each increased 100000. An
amendment reducing newspaper postage
was agreed to.
In the Senate on the 18th the army aps
Preparation bill was reported The Texas Pas
cifc land forfeiture bill was discussed by Mr..
Van Wyck, but it was crowded out of its place
in the special orders to take up the bill to pre-
vent the importation of foreign cotract labor;
and on this measure there was a long
and animated discussion. Mr.. Ingalls, was
opposed to the system on the ground that
we had our own toiling millions to look at-
ter. Other Senators spoke, and pending fur.
ther action the Senate adjourned. 49,. The
House accomplished but little business.
Much valuable time was wasted in points OF
order, and appealing from the Speaker pro
Cem The Post office appropriation bill was
again taken up In committee of the whole
and progress made. There was a warm dis
cusston on the paragraph relating to COM
pensation to ocean steamship companies for
carrying the mails. An evening session to
consider pension bills was held.
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL