Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-12-24
CONGRESS- CONDENSED.

DEC. 14.-SENATE-A memorial from the
Connecticut legislature was presented urging
the passage OF bill to provide for the presi-
dental count. The bill providing for the
presidential succession was reported favorably
from the committee on privileges and cleo
tions and will be discussed tomorrow. The
committee appointed by the constitutional con-
vention OF Dakota presented memorial pray
lug for the admission into the union as
state, Of southern Dakota and transmitting
draft OF constitu ion for approval by con-
gress. Mr.. Hoar from the committee on
judiciary, reported favorably the bill fixing the
salary of United States district judges at So
600. The bill was placed on the calendar. .
The following bills were referred TO the ap-
propriate committees: To suspend the
coinage CT the standard silver dol
lars. To regulate rates of postage on
second class mail matter. To make the Lake
Borque outlet to improve the low water naviga-
ton of the Mississippi river from New Orleans
TO Cairo. For the relief OF widows and chill
dren of officers who we're taken captive by
Indians. The Senate then went into executive
session, and at . 30 the doors were reopened
and message was received from the presi-
dent transmitting the Kelley correspondence
recently called for by Mr.. Vests resolution. Ii
was ordered printed and to lie on the table.
DEC 15-SENATE--The first business before
the Senate was Hoar's bill TO provide for the
presidential session, and Mr.. Hoar led the de.
bate saying among other things that the new
measure would be protection to the person
holding the presidential Office, as no one would
attempt to assasslnate the president In order
TO elevate a cabinet officer of the same politi-
cal party. BY unanimous consent the bill
went over until tomorrow, and the bill en-
bracing code Of joint rules for the two houses
was taken up. The discussion on rule -,
providing that no intoxicating liquors be sold
In the capitol, became very animated but the
rule was finally adopted by viva voice vote
HoUsE-The proceedings In the House were
devoted entirely IN "A long discussion of the
revision Of the rules as applying to the dstri-
button Of the appropriation bills among the
several committees.
n DEC. 16.-SENATE-A resolution was offered
and referred, directing an inquiry to- ascertain
why so-called legislature hal been organized
IN Dakota. The presidential succession bill
was taken from the table, and the debate
opened by Mr.. Maxey of Texas, who thought
the secretary OF state was the one To be select
ed for the performance OF presidential duties
in case of the death of the executive and vice
president The discussion, which was partisan
In its character, was participated in by Beck,
Edmunds, Morgan, Hoar and Teller, and oc-
cupied the time Of the Senate until the hour
for executive session.
HoUsE-The Senate bill removing the po-
litical disabilities of Mr.. Lawton of Georgia,
was passed. The proposed revision of the
rules was discussed until the hour of adjourn
ment.
DECEMBER 17.-SESATE.-Evarts of New
York and Edmunds of Vermont, were the
principal speakers on the presidential success
sion BILL Mr.. Evarts' principal argument was
that the succession provided for by the bill be-
fore the Senate was the only possible con-
stitutional exercise of the very limited power
accorded by the constitution to congress. and
spoke at considerable length. Mr.. Edmunds
replied, differing from Evart as to the very
limited power of congress. A vote was then
taken and the bill passed as reported from
the committee.
HoUsE.--The debate on revision of the rules
was resumed, and continued until the hour OF
adjournment
DEC. Observation-Disclosures after OPEN
ing the question of Dakotas stateship was
taken up and discussed at length, when con-
alteration of the Joint rules.was resumed.
The bill granting pension to the window OF
Gen. Grant was favorably reported and passed
"A petition was presented from Maine pro-
testing against any arrangement with Great
Britain by which Canada fish might be admit
ted free OF duty IA bill was introduced max
ing 1t unlawful for members of congress to rec
ommend or solicit appointments for Office.
Senator Palmer introduced bills TO pay 81 ,OOO
TO the widow OF Major Whitehall for money
stolen fromihim; to pension the widow OF Col
Farquhar; 10 pension Seth Calvin late Of the
147th New York Volunteers; to establish night
schools in the District of Columbia; TO pay
$3.50, 900 to the heirs Of the late VIM. A. Burk,
the inventor OF the solar compass used by the
government for 80 years In making the orig
inal survey of the public domain. After other
important business the Senate adjournedIun-
Ill Monday.
HousREThe revision OF the House rules was
the first subject under discussion. After an anil
mated deba te the rules OF the Forty-eight con-
gress, as amended by the committee on rules
were re-enacted ms the rules of the Forty-ninth
congress. Ii. The Senate bill granting pension
to Mrs. Grant was passed. A resolution was
adopted providing for holiday recess from
December 81 to Jan. o. Adjourned