The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-13
The ffoase.

The t1oase.
A number OF private bills were passed this
morning.
Mr.. Holman introduced hill to appro-
pirate $4,000 for public building at Msdi-
son, Ind.
Mr.. McAdoo offered a resolution calling
upon the Postmaster General for bis opinion
whether the eight hour law applies to letter
carriers. The House then proceeded to con-
slider the business relating to the District of
Columbia.
A bill passed authorizing the Judge Of the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
to appoint competent lawyer to prepare q
criminal code for the District. 1.-The report
which accompanies this bill says 1.-THE laws
OF England prior to July 4, 1776, and the
laws of Marylad, as they existed February
q, 1901, constitute the body OF laws for tns
punishment of crime IN this District.
There is no penalty for incest; adaltry
escapes with the slight penalty of 400
law provides boring through the tongue
with hot iron. Arson in the daytime aud
arson ct night are not differently punished.
il vac for long time doubted whether the
api alliDg crime OF Guiteau could be tried
and punished IN this District
Several other bills of local interest were
raised. This completed the District bust
lets, and the House went into Committee
Of the Whole, with Wilson. OF Connecticut,
in the chair, on the Consular and ID plo-
matte Appropriation bill.
Nr HIT moved TO restore to the 50 500
class the consularskip ct Hankow. China,
which in the Dill had been placed In the
g. 500 class. In advocating this amend
fnent Mr.. Ryan called attention to the fact
that lire Of steamers were now running
between Shanghai and HankoH under the
American flag.
In response Mr.. Burnes intimsted that the
Hteamers were sailed under the American
flag not because Amerscans cared or were
interested in them, but for the purpose Of
protection during the French and Chinese
war.
Mr.. Reed inquired bow foreigners could
sail vessels under the American flag under
our statutes.
Mr.. Burnes replied he could not answer
for the truth OF the assertion, but the state
ment had gone the rounds of the press that
vessels were sailed Gnder the American flag
for protection of interests not our own
country.
Mr.. RYAN said he would assume the trans
fer of these vessels to the American flag had
been made in good faith till he should have
some better evidence to the contrary than
the Newspapers.
Mr.. Randall asked whether the transfer
had not taken place Immediately ettsr the
breaking out Of the war between France
aud China.
Mr.. Ryan could see in that circumstance
no evidence of bad faith.
Mr.. Curtin made brief speech Oh the i'm
portance of increasing our foreign COM
merce, especially with the countries OF
South America, and advocated the strength
ening and improving of the Consular ser.
ice of the United States. He would no. ap-
point as Consul worn out politician, bat
would select the best men in the country
after civil service examination, and would
not appoint any who could not speak the
language of the country to which he had
aeceded.
Mr.. Hills motion was lost by As to 81.
A point OF order was made against the
paragraph appropriating S14 600 to meet the
expenses attending the execution OF neu
trality acts and the point Was maintained
by The Chair.
Mr.. Cannon appealed from the decision
and being of the opinion that he had beer
treated unfair by the Chair, he raised the
point. but there was no quorum to sustain
the Chairs decision. No quorum present
Adjourned.