The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Cleaned. by Telegraph and Mail.
CONGRESSIONAL.

The Senate assembled at noon Decem-
ber with crowded galleries and the walls
of the chamber draped in mourning out of
respect to the memory of the late Vice Pres
ident General McCook, Secretary of the
Senate, called the body together. and prayer
was offered hy Chaplain Rev d. Huntley.
after which Senator Edmunds offered a res
olution declaring Senator John Sherman
President pro tem. An amendment to sub
stitute the name of Senator Isham G. Harris
was voted down by strict party vote, and
without division Senator Sherman was
chosen and the oath of office administered
by Senator Edmunds. A committee was ap-
pointed to wait upon the President and re-
cess taken until afternoon. Atthe afternoon
session Senators Logan, of Illinois, and
Blair, of New Hampshire, were sworn in.
Senator voorhees, offered resolutions of re-
spect to the memory of Vice President Hen
bricks and the Senate adjourned. At noon
| the House was called to order by Clerk j; b.
Clark, with S5O members present Mr.
Tucker nominated Hon. John G. Carlisle, of
Kentucky. for Speaker and Mr.. Cannon NOM
mated Hon. Thomas B. Reed, of Maine A
ballot resulted: Carlisle, Ia: Reed, lbs. Mr.
Carlisle was declared elected and the oath
administered. A committee was then ap-
pointed to act with the Senate committee to
wait upon the President and notify him
that the two Houses were organized. Reso-
lutions on the death of Mr.. Hendricks were
then introduced and the House adjourned.
IN the Senate on the Sth after the read
ing of the Presidents message many bills
were introduced, among them a bill by
Senator Hoar to provide for the performance
of the duties of the Office of President in
case of removal by death, resignation or in
ability. both of President and Vice-Presi-
dent; by Senator Edmunds, to FIX day for
the meeting of the Electors of the President
and Vice-PresIdent, and the decision of ques-
tions arising thereon: by Senator Engalls.
making an appropriation for the purchase OF
two sites and the erection of two
military posts on the Southwestern
frontier of Kansas; by Senator Plumb,
to prevent the acquisition of real property
by aliens; by Senator Vest, for the construc-
ton of several bridges, among them two
across the Mississippi at ST. Louis. Senator
Plumb introduced by request joint resolu-
ton proposing an amendment to the const-
tuition of the United States in relation 10 the
manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors
90. In the House. after the reading of the
message, the death of Mr.. Elwood. of Illinois,
was announced and the House adjourned.
IL the Senate on the 9th numerous bills
were introduced, the more important being
a bill to reimburse the several States for in
terest paid on war loans: to prohibit the
mailing of newspapers containing lottery
advertisements; to prevent the introduction
and diffusion OF contagious and infectious
diseases in the United States, and to promote
the general sanitary welfare of the people.
Mr.. ingalls, introduced bill to provide for
the sale of lands belonging TO the prairie
band of Pottawatomie Ina ans in
tSa Kansas; Mr.; Plumb; nn5s Dill TO dsrtet
Atlantic & Pacific Railroad Company
to aid in the construction of railroad
and telegraph line through the States OF Ms
souri, and Arkansas TO the Pacific Coast and
to restore the same to settlement; also to
provide for cOntesting surveys of private
land grants 4 bill was also introduced
by Mr.. Van Wyck to tax unpatented lands
owned hy railroad companies: also for the
relief OF settlers and purchasers of the pub
lie domain in Nebraska and Kansas In the
House the day was mainly devoted to dis
unasS inn rt1la md no l-f.3. 1ltr
pointed the Committee on Rules, aS follows:
The Speaker, MessrS. Randall, Morrison,
Reed and HiscOck. In order to give the
committee time to consider the various
propositions referred to it, the House ad
journed until Saturday.
II the Senate on the 10th Mr.. Edmunds
introduced n bill to provide for the establish
ment of postal telegraph, and expressed a
desire to have il brought 10 q vote as quickly
as possible. Mr.. Mcpherson presented a
joint resolution of the Legislature of New
Jersey recommending Congressional inquiry
into the fitness of a portion of the Territory
of Alaska for penal colony for lonC-term
or life-term convicts Nh DOlph introduced
a bill to repeal the law of the last session
providing for the settlement of claims
for loss of private property DESTROYED in
the military service of the United States
Mr Plumb introduced bill TO open 10 home
stead settlement certain portions of the In
dian Territory. This is the Oklahoma bill of
the last Congress. Mr.. Plumb also intro
duced a bill to improve the efficiency of the
militia: also a bill making an additional
article of war, Ii prohibits gambling in the
army. The President sent to the Senate all
the nominations made by IN during the re-
cess. The Senate went into executive SeS-
sion and when the doors reOpcned ad djourned
until Monday. The House WAS not i'll scs-
sion.
NEITHER House was in session on the
I1th