St. Landry democrat., 1885-02-28
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


preparation bill There was lengthy dis.
Eussion upon the action of the Senate
committee in striking out certain amend
ments, which under the rules OF that
value, are not entitled to be placed on an
appropriation bill. In the House, af-
ter consideration of the legislative appro.
priation bill, Mr.. Slocum reported the bin for
the retirement of General Grant, and mo
tion was made to suspend the rules and pass
the same. long debate ensued. Mr..
Slocum enumerated the eminent services of
General Grant and the reasons why the
measure should be passed, General Rose
Grams was quite severe upon the hero of
Appomattox, and announced his opposi-
tlon to the proposition to place him on
the retired list. Me5srs. Horr and Thomas
(Republicans) opposed the bill because
they considered 1t u trap set to catch the ex-
ecutive and embarrass him. They were in IA
Vor of retiring General Grant, but wanted the
second bill offered In the Senate substituted.
Ihe motion to suspend the rules was finally
lost. Little other business of general inter-
est was transacted.
In the Senate on the 18th there was
long discussion upon the anti-foreign con-
tract labor bill, in which number of Sen
ators took part. Messrs. M8xey and Coke
{of Texas thought that the bill would keep
out labor needed by the planters of Texas,
1Dent modifying the penalty clause, but it
was voted down. Senators Vest and Nor
gan criticised the Republican party's policy
and Mr. Sherman defended his party. Win
an understanding that vote was to be
reached on the 18th, the Senate adjourned
......In the House, alter the passage of
some minor bills and an adverse
report from the committee on the resolu-
ton to appoint a commission to consider
the liquor traffic Of the United States, the
legislative appropriation bill was discussed
in committee of the whole and afterwards
passed, few slight amendments hay
Ing been previously agreed upon, The
Senate amendments to.the Indian approDri-
alton bill were non concurred in, and a new
conference committee was appointed. Mr.
Dorsheimer introduced q bill to regulate
coinage, and to promote the circulation of
gold and silver equally.
In the Senate on the 18th an original bill
was reported to enable the President to
negotiate for the purchase from the In
dians of their remaining interests In the
Oklahoma lands. Consideration of the
Plumb's amendment excepting profess
stonal artists from the provisions
of the bill was agreed to; also an amend
ment by Mr.. Lapham providing that the
whole of the penalty recovered shall go into
the United States Treasury. The bill then
passed: yeas, 50; nays 9....In the House the
river and harbor bill was considered. Mr..
Bayne opposed the appropriation for the
Lower Mississippi, as the money, he said,
would be thrown away except to remove
snags Mr.. Potter opposed the Hennepin
State matter, and Illinois was well able to
build the canal as New York had done in
fered as a substitute for the Galveston Har.
Dor paragraph was agreed to. 1t appropris
ates 100000. The Mclean BrOadhead con-
test was reported in favor OF Mr.. Broadhead.
In the Senate on the 10Th there was
long discussion on the Texas Pacific Railroad
Land forfeiture bill. A number Of amend
ments were offered and debated. The bill
was finally passed There was very little
else of general interest reached......In the
House during the continuation of the
bill was considered, but nothing con-
amendments were taken up and
new amendments were offered. Later, in
the regular session for Thursday, the naval
appropriation bill was considered in COM
mittee of the whole. There was an ami.
sells and the amount of money to be appro-
priated to build the New York" The
House adjourned, though, before very much
progress had been made with the bill.
In the Senate on the goth a memorial
was presented from the Illinois Legislature
urging Congress to acquire ownership in the |
ship canal connecting the waters of |
Keweenaw Bay with those of Lake Superior |
The agricultural appropriation bill was |
passed. The Post office appropriation bill |
the amount for Post-office clerks |
was combatted, but after discussion the I
committees amendment was adhered to. I
The section changing the rate of postage |
was discussed at length, and the Senate dis |
agreed to the committee amen ment so far
as it related to the letter postage leaving
the newspaper provision to be acted upon |
lin the House much time was wasted on
the Mississippi River clause in the river
and harbor bill. The friends of the bill /
yielded to the Mississippi River claim, there
by Withdrawing the bone of contention. The
Chair delivered an opinion on the point Of
order against the Hennepin C4nal, sustain
ing the point that the Committee on Rivers
and Harbors had not original jurisdiction
OF the subject, and ruled that the claims I
must be stricken from the bin |
An appeal was taken, but was not acted upon
during the days session. The conference re-.
port on the consular and diplomatic bill was
agreed to: The naval appropriation bill was |
g ga up but no definite action was taken.
at the evening session fifty pension bills
were passed, completing this work for the
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL.
The Illinois State Encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic at Peoria, on
the 18th, passed resolution urging the