Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
What was Done in Both HOuses-The
Grant Retirement Bill Fails in the

What was Done in Both HOuses-The
Grant Retirement Bill Fails in the
House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-In TIE Senate
the Post Office appropriation bill was LAID
before the Senate and referred to the Com
mittee on Appropriations
The bill to give quit title to Des Moines
river lands was laid before the Senate as
unfinished business, but was laid aside.
and the Indian appropriation bill was
taken up.
Laying other business aside the Senate took
up the Indian appropriation bill.
Mr.. Sherman asked the Chair whether the
DesMoines land bill would still continue o be
the unfinished business Of the morning hour,
and the Chair replied afirmatively.
Mr.. Sherman-Then no business can be
done In the senate except that from the APP
preparation Committee and this DesMOines
Mr. ALison-Until it is disposed Of
Mr.. Sherman-Ihen we may as well give
1t up-may as well take it easy for the re-
fair play in legislation
The consideration Of the Indian appropria-
tion bill was then proceeded with.
After debate, Mr.. Vests amendment to in
crease the emergency fund from $4,000 to
10000 was agreed to.
A debate arose on the Senate committees
amendments asking from the House bill the
eating liquors into the Indian country, and
that striking ont the section authorizing the
President OF the United States TO negotiate
with the Greek, Seminole and Cherokee In
dians for the surrender of their remaining
rights In the sO-called Oklahoma lands. Both
these amendments were, however, sustained
under precedent and the rules against legisla-
tiOn on appropriation bills.
Consideration OF the bill having been com
pleted, Messrs. MandersOn and Miller of Cali
tornia endeavOred in vain to replace in the
Senate some of the legislative provisions
stricken out in the committee of the whole.
The bill was then passed substantially as re-
ported from the Senate Appropriation Com
mIttee.
The Chair appointed as cOnferees on the
army appropriation bill Messrs. Allison,
Plumb and Ransom. Mr.. Allison submitted a
joint resolution appropriating $500 to defray
the necessary expenses of the Inauguration Of
the incoming President on March 1, to be ex-
pended under direction of the Senate Com
mIttee on Arrangements. 1t was apprO-
prlately referred.
After an executive session, the Senate ad-
jOurned.
IN THE HOUSE.
The House met at 10 o'clock in continuation
OF Fri say's session, and Immediately went
INTO commit Of the whole, Mr.. BlOuut in
the char, on the legislative apprOpria:sOn
bill. Considerable progress was made in the
reading of the bill, and at 1885 the committee
rose and the House adjourned, and at IL
O'Clock the session OF Monday began.
On motion of Mr.. FOrney, OF Alabama the
Senate amendments to the army appropria-
ton bill were non -cOncurred in, and Messrs
FOrney, Townshend and Keifer were ap-
pointed conferees.
Messrs. Pryor, Hill and Keifer were ap-
pointed cOnferees on the Senate bill for the
protection of Yellowstone National Park.
Mr.. Slocum, Of New York, under instruc-
tlOns from the Military Committee, moved to
suspend the rules and pass rhe Senate bill for
the retirement of Gen. Grant. This is the
first bill passed by the Senate, and specifically
names the officer to be retired.
Messrs. HOrr, of Michigan, and Warner, of
ONO, demanded a second.
The metlOn to suspend the rules was second
ed-llo yeas to ~ nays. At the conclusion of
the 30 minutes debate, under the rule, the
motion to suspend the rules and pass the
Grant retirement bill, was lost-yeas l5S, nays
lO3-not the requisite twO-thirds voting in the
Affirmative.
The negative vote was cast by the Demo-
Gratis, who were opposed to Gen. Grants re-
tirement, reinforced by a number of Repub-
hcans. who, though in favor OF the purpOrt of
the bill, were opposed to its form, believing
that 1t would place the President under the
necessity of vetoing measure of which he
strongly approved.
Mr. Money. of Mississippi from the Com
mlttee on Post Offices and Post Roads, moved
to suspend the rules and pass the bill to regu-
late the letting OF mail contracts. The bill,
he said, was in the main the one prepared by
Mr. Lyman, while Second assistant Post
master General, during the past summer.
II provides that in case of the
bidder failing to perform the SER
sureties shall be liable for the amount of lis
bond as liquidated, damages to be recovered
in an action of debt OF bond. 1t also provides
that no subletting or transfer of any mail
contract shall be permitted unless the annual
compensation under the contract shall exceed
500, and in no case without the consent in
writing of the Postmaster General.
The bill passed and the House adjourned.