New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-11
TOPICS BEFORE THE SENATOR'S.
MR. EDMUNDs's TELEGRAPH BILL-DIFFkHNG CON
sTRUCTIONs OF A LAW.


TOPICS BEFORE THE SENATOR'S.
MR.. KDMUNDs's TELEGRAPH BILL-DIFFKRiNG CON
sTRUCTIOHs OF LAW.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-After the readlng OF
the Journal the president pro empore laid before the
Senate letter from the Secretary OF War In regard 10
the proposed purchase for any purposes OF lhe ou
Produce Exchange building in NeW-NOrK CITY,
Mr. EImuuds introduced bill to provide for the es-
tabshment OF postal telegraph III was re'erre" "
the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads liz III
PRODUCING the bill, Mr. Edmunds said II was the same
hin that he had Introduced at the last session OF Con-
o~css which went to the Committee Post Offices ana
Post Roads, and reported upon by that committees
so late in tie the subject coud not DC con-
sdered by the before tae expiration OF the seS
SION He hoped the committee would now take the
earliest opportunity TO REL ort on II.
Mr. salisbury said that the Committee on Post Oces
and Post Roads had at the session given the subject
careful attention and examination ana had reported
| upon the bill rs early was practicable
Mr. Edmunds discained any reflection on the commit
tee The subject was important one and needed
considerable examination The enormous power also OF
the opposition scheme OF this kind. aHd their de-
maud bo heard by counsel ana TO examine witnesses
present arguments and generally that sort Of nVeS
LEGATION that corporations always DESIRE had the
effect whether intended not, to greatly delay matters
before committees.
A resolution offered by Mr. Morrill, agreed to 4.
directing the payment from Contingent Fund of the
Senate expenses OF the Senate Committee appoint
ed to attend the funeral obseques of General Grant.
A joint resolution introduced by Mr.. Morrill, was
passed reapponn members OF the Board of Regents
OF the Smithsonian Institutions John MacLean OF New
Jersey Asa Gray Massachusetts. and Henry C"ppee
OF PENNSYLVANIA; and also appointing on the same Board
General Meig Washington, in the place OF General
Sherman.
Mr. Mcpherson presented joint resolution OF the
Legisa IRE u New.Jersey men linz Congressional
! vit,.o fhtn "A
Alaska for the purpose penal colony for long-term
or life-erm cOnvicts
MIR polph introduced bill TO repeal the law Of last
session providing the settlement of claims of officers
and enlisted of the Army for loss OF private prop
erty destroyed the military service OF the United
states THIS is the law which the President calls al
tention in his "indetnite in its terms and
10 which he says; "lf IS T." remain Oh me staInr
dents reference and had the Ck read from the report
OF the Secretary OF War tho statements viii regard To
the law in question: and the difficulty experienced ia us
INTERPRETATIONS From these statements II appeared mat
claims presented for indemnify Tor IoSN
FURNITURE destroyed the It fire ~ ChicaEn aud an
other the OF two gol watches Mr. Doph san
he saw why thr Government shodld act az IN
surrr property OF officers and sol Hers IN me Army
~ervauts aud agents. He oh cccd To the a" a"
| upon the Ground thu 1t establish no linn T. Tue
amount property that should 10 pad for aud that II
sufficiently define the Character OF articles inat
to he covered 10y It's prhvi lions 80, =,
Mr. COrkr'i saw no reason for any dlhrnty III the III
| trr,rctaiion az the law.
MI Hawry astonished that any person eapabl" OF
filling the pos ~ secretary Of r should nm any
difficulty the law in question: Tie th"n+ht
II no reasonable objection 10 the act int IN" ionhsn
iniennity for the loss OF 1.-TWO gul watches -ccfe-
tlry of war should he able To decide what articles were
useful. nee s-uy tli proper ior an Oh'e' ahu LOT SUI
! der the line al their duty. ,--,
an insurer. hut the complained OF admitted OF no
doubt rs t. it, interpretations
! Mr. Plumb thupght the law placed dangerous power
! IN the bau Is Of the secretary of War
Mr.. Logan said the W applied 10 the officers AMI sol
| in he Is
! ON motion Of Mr.. Allison. the Senate resolved that
| when II iiiuurns today II he 10 Monday
Anon. other bills introduced and appropriately re-
/ frrred the following:
! By Mr. Pialt-To relieve commercial travellers OF
| BV Mr. Wilson. Of Iowa-ro promote peace anon.
lions II the President TO enter mt" nrso-
! tiatuns with other G0v"rumcuts with ANEW TO IN"
formation Of an international tribunal Tor we ~ o""n
OF any difficulties that may occur among Nations, ana
requests him 10 inv" other Nations I" send d'rshts I"
r,onsed international Peace Couvcn 10 he held In
Washington time he may h1 aud appropraieS
nv Nj Gcorre-To establish agricultural experiment
stations connection with the agricultural colleges III
! Ry Mr. PiumN-To open to homestead settlement Ger
tain portions Of the indian Territory MT Pnmh snii
that This literal copy OF one introdncei III
the last Congress ald passed. dnrins The closing holr
/ Iceland he thought the word authorized meant re-
uaired-o open negotiations with the Indians for M
purl,.c of cessinn Of The land It had been
esected that would be don during the last sum
mef aud that the results would be reported !" ConSIc'
at this session. lie was informed. however that no
steps had been taken in that Direction and thnugh II
Important that some settlement ot this important 'es-
| t,D be reached.
", Mr. Cal-To create a Bureau OF Fine Arts. under
the management OF the Smithsonian Institution; also
authorz,uk the Secretary OF the Treasury, 10 over
ru and reverse thr decisions OF all inferior officers OF
The Treasury Department.; al-o. to provide Tor survey
and railroad from me main lana 10 Ny
West Fla. and for canal connecting the same win
the ~. JOiH'S RIVER
By Mr. rluml,-lo make an additional article Of Var
f. nrovidrs that officer scrvins Ia troops or any
80 dirr not furl"ugh who CANDLES or any oneet I
the Army whether not serving with troops VINO y
,aiublin. shall money from an feripr "ihccr SD
he courmartlH ed and that any p"st-trtder VINO Ir'
,,ribing IN hi Shmrnt shall have MS appoint
ur revoked aud makes II the duty al every command
| Ing officer 10 enforce the provisions OF The act