Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-24
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
A DYNAMITE BILL IN THE SENATE,
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
The Senate.


BILL TO PUNISH DYNAMITERs.
Mr. EdmundS introduced a bill to prevent and
punish crimes by means OF explosive compounds
In introducing the bill Mr.. EdmundS said it was a
mere draft, drawn at his request by another but
although imperfect, he submitted it in order that
1t may be referred TO the committee on the judicl-
airy for early consideration and perfection. 1t may
he AIDED, raise question between the rights OF the
United States and the duties OF the separate states
but the committee would take the whole subject
Into consideration, and would, he hoped, put the
Dill In such shape that, far the United States
government had power, it would be able to eSer-
else it In the direction indicated by the title OF the
bill.
The bill was referred to the committee on the
Judiciary.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE NICARAGUAN TREATY.
The Senate, at 12:45 p. m, on motion OF Mr.. Mil
Ter (CaL), went into executive session, and Mr.
Edmunds resumed the floor to conclude his speech
Tor the Nlcaraguan treaty.
House of Representatives.
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the President, transmitting report from the
secretary OF State asking an appropriation to
enable the State department to cause preliminary
search to be made Of the records Of the French
prize court, In order to aid that department to
carry out the provisions OF the French spoliation
act Referred.
Mr. VALENTINES PROPOSED NEW RULE
Mr. Valentine (Neb.> called up the amendment tc
the rules submitted by him yesterday, provid ing
that hereafter the House shall meet at II o'clock
| and that one honr shall be devoted to he calling
up of bills by individual members. II there are not
ten objections made thereto.
Mr. Randall (Pa) made the point OF order that
the amendment be referred TO the committee on
rules
After short discussion the Speaker sustained
the point OF order, and the proposed amendment
was referred to the committee on rules.
Mr. Slocum IN. ". from the shipping committee,
Ypn0rfp6 IN pf rhc
act to remove certain burdens on the American
merchant marine. House calendar.
THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATION BILL
MI. Follett (Ohio), from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported the District of Columbia ap-
preparation bill, and it was referred to the COM
mittee of the whole.
THE AGRICULTURAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Mr.. Dibbell (Tenn.) moved that the House go into
| committee Of the whole on the agricultural appro-
priation bill
This was antagonized by Mr. Townshend Qll)
with the Mexican pension bill, but the motion was
agreed to-yeaS III, nays Island the House al
205 went into committee as Indicated (Mr. Spring
er, OF Illinois, in the chair.)
The District in Congress.
DAMAGES FOR CAUSING DEATH.
In the Senate to-day Mr. Harris called up the bill
reported from the District committee yesterday
providing that where death Is caused In the Dis
trict by the wrongful act, neglect default of any
person or corporation such person or corporation
shall be liable for an action for damages not &c
exceed $4,000, for the death OF the person killed
the damages to go to the heirs OF deceased on
motion OF Mr.. Sherman the bill was amended so as
to make the action lie even If the person injured
inflicted on the District the Senate bin was sub
stituted for the House bill, as it was regarded as
,e more expnclt M and was as passed ia The oi makes al
under existing law for injury done by negligence
reckessness, etc. AS this bill will now go to con-
ference to adjust the difference between the two
houses there Is 1000 that IL Will become
law at this session. One OF the objects In passing
the bill Is to provide an act that Will hold persons
here
Capitol Topics.
REFUSING TO TESTIFY.
The House committee on Indian affairs will re-
port the refusal of r. NJ. Wolf, an attorney fol
the Cherokee Indians to testify before the com.
mittee relative to the expenditure of money ap-
proprlated for the Indians by Congress to the
House Of Representatives, and ask that that body
take action upon the refusal.
Mr.. EDMUNDs SPEECH IN FAVOR OF THR NICARAUGUAN
TREATY.
In the executive session of the Senate yesterday
Mr.. Edmunds made long speech in favor OF the
ratification Of the Nicarauguan treaty. He main
tained that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty does not i'm
pose any restraint upon the United States. He
contended that England had violated that treaty
whenever 1t suited her interest to do so. Mr.. Ed
mundS regards the canal as so important to the
national interests OF this country that it Is worth
risktng row to procure 1t.
Army Promotions and Appointments.
CHANGES WHICH WILL RESULT WHEN BILL NOW
BEFORE THE PRESIDENT BECOMES A LAW.
The bill providing for an increase In the depart
ment Of the inspector general OF the army, now
awaiting the signature of the President will cause
the immediate promotion OF Lieut.. Col. Roger
Jones to be colonel and Major J. e. Breckinridge to
be lieutenant colonel. This will leave two inspec-
tors general with the rank OF major to be appointed
by the President from the captains of the army,
and great many applications are on file for the
positions. Among those most prominently men,
toned for the promotions are Captains G. B. Rus
sell, 9th infantry; E. NJ Heyl. 4th cavalry, and R
p. Hughes now acting as assistant inspectors gen.
eral; Captains j. G. Bourke, Sd cavalry, and Wm.
F. Drum, 14th infantry, on inspection duty; Capt.
s. c. Kellogg, 5th cavalry; John F. Rodgers. mill
tary storekeeper, and j. F. Kent, Sd infantry.
A few days ago the name Of eX-CO. Fred Grant
was mentioned In connection with one OF the posi-
tions, and the story was advanced that he was to
receive the vacant QuartermaStershtp, with rank
OF captain, caused by the retirement OF Major Eek
erson and the promotion OF Capt. A. F. Rockwell,
and Immediately afterwards nominated major In
the Inspector generals department. Col Grants
dec!ination OF the quartermastership puts an end
to this story, however.
District Gnvernsnent