St. Landry democrat., 1885-01-24
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
News from Everywhere.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


In the Senate on the 18th Mr.. Hale re-
ported the last House naval appropriation
bill with all provisions for changes in the ex-
listing laws stricken out. The House bill re-
pealing the pre- emption timber culture
and desert land acts and modifying
ablS. Mr.. Edmunds offered bill which,
If passed, will place General Grant on
the retired list. The HawIey resolution in
reference to the Sherman Davis matter was
taken up, and after further debate was
adopted, there being but ten negative
votes. The inter State commerce bill was
resumed. Mr.. Vance's amendment relative
to charges on large and small shipments
was rejected; as was also an amendment of
fered by Mr.. Slater making all rebates un.
lawful. In the House Mr.. Stockslager had
read as question of privilege report in the
New York Sun charging the Committee on
Public Buildings with log-rolling to pass
bills, which provoked a spirited debate
Hazing at the Naval Academy was discussed.
A number of new bills were introduced. Mr.
Browne fof Indiana) announced the death OF
Schuyler Colfax, offered q tribute to his
memory, which was passed, and out Of re-
spect the House then adjourned
In the Senate on the 18th the first matter
of Importance considered was the bill offered
by Mr.. Edmunds, providing for the placing
OF General Grant onithe retired listlof! army
officers in a round about way in order to-
overcome the objections that have hereto;
fore been advanced. The bill was passed
with but nine votes in the negative, The
Senate committees amendments to the
naval bill was concurred IN ana the
merce bill came up and was further
discussed by Messrs. Cullom, Hoar, McPher-
son, jackson, Allison, Slater and Van Wyck.
Mr.. Harrison offered q tribute TO the mem
DRY of the late Hon. Schuyler Colfax, which
was adopted, and the Senate adjourned out
of respect......In the House MIR. Mills in
PRODUCED d bill to create a revenue com
mission. (which is similar to the measure
introduced in the Senate by Mr.. Beck. Mr..
Weller offered bill to refund the bonded
debt of the United States at two and one
half per cent. interest, to reduce taxation in
the circulating bank note currency, and to
secure such currency against UNNECESSARY
disturbance. The Chinese indemnity fund
bill was passed. Also the Senate French
Spoilation claims bill.
THE Senate held only trief legislative
session on the 18th. A bill was introduced for
the relief of the Tallapoosa sufferers, and an
other to increase the pension of the widow
of the late General Geo. II. Thomas, There
was a long executive session, devoted prln-
cipally to the discussion of the Nicaragua
treaty In the House the MCPHERSON
funding bill was taken up. There was con-
siderable opposition to the measure, those
opposing declaring that it was solely in the
interest of the National banks. On the other
hand those who supported it declared that it
was in the interest of the people, and not in
the interest of the banks. Mr.. Potter (of New
York; gave notice of q motion to recommit
the bill with instructions to the Committee
via hi4IL sCtASn =
bill which he submittetl,sthe title OF which
is as follows: To refund the bonded
debt of the United States at two
and half per cent. interest; to reduce
taxation upon circulating bank-note cur
rency, and to secure such currency against
unnecessary. disturbance and fiuctuatiOn by
applying the National revenue economically
to the payment of the National debt. The
Senate amendments TO the Naval bill were
mono oncurred in and anew conference COM
Inittee was appointed.
In the Senate on the 18th petitions were
presented asking for the Improvement of
the Monongahela River, and the protest of
1000 cigar makers of Philadelphia against
the ratification of the proposed Spanish
American treaty was received The inter
State commerce bill was discussed at great
length, Mr.. Slater's amendment in refer
ence to freight charges on long ana short
hauls being the principal matter debated.
Mr.. George finally offered an amendment
providing that Mr.. Skaters amendment
shaIlgnot be construed to legalize charging
as much for shorter as Tor longer dis
tance in any case. This was agreed to as q
modification, and debate on the Slater
amendment continued. No further action
was taken. the House n bill was
passed authorizing the construction of q
bridge over the Mississippi at Memphis. The
Senate amendments to the Oregon Central
1and grant bill were not concurred in The
House then went into committee of the
whole on war claim bills, but no final action
was reached.