Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-05
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
TARIFF COMMISSION IN fHE SENATE
IMPORTANT NEW BILLS IN THE HOUSE
CALL on The PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION.

CALL on THE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION.
The Senate.
The chair laid before the Senate the credentials
Of Hon. Justin s. Morrill,, reelected Senator from
Vermont for the six years commencing 4th March.
1855.
Mr. Beck introduced a bill to create revenue
commission. of which the Secretary OF the Treas
ury shall be ex-ofncio member, to consist OF five
members OF the House and three Senators whose
mS win mex, extend beyond the present session OF
10 what changes should be made in the existing
tarin law, and shall report before the second Mon
day IN December, 1885. The bill authorizes the
commission to appoint SuD-committees, to hold
meetlngs at such places as the Information it
wants may be obtained. 1t also requires that all
Onclais OF the United States shall furnish inrorma-
ton to the commission when called upon. and en-
powers the commission to summons persons before
bill also provides for printing the report OF the COM
mission. the whole expense to be paid out OF the
Mr.. voorhees, introduced bln to repeal the
statute OF Limitations on the allowance Of pension
arrears ana to regulate the proof in pension cases
Also, concurrent resolution extending the
lnankS OF congress to Commodore Schley, Lieut.
Emory and all the officers and men OF the ships
Alert, Bear, Thetis and Loeb Garry for the daring
ana sKin displayed by them in the rescue Of the
Greely arctic expedition. 1t was referred to the
committee on naval affairs.
CALLING FOR COPIES OF TREATIES.
Mr. Miller {Cal) offered resolution which was
agreed to, calling On the Secretary Of State for
copies OF al treaties, except postal treaties en-
tered into by the United States the ratification
whereof has been exchanged, with such notes as
may be In his possession indicating such treaties
or parts OF treaties as have been changed or abro-
gated
The Senate then proceeded to consideration OF
bills upon its calendar.
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE BILL
frrynn
up as the special order and Mr.. Wilson addressed
the Senate on 1t.
House of Representatives.
MI Smith PAY presented the certificate of elec-
tlon OF John A. Swope to f1ll the vacancy occa-
stoned by the death of w. A. Duncan from the 18th
congressional district OF Pennsylvania. and Mr..
Swope appeared at the bar Of the house and took
the oath Of Office.
The military academy bill, with Senate amend
ments, was referred to the committee on appropri-
atiOnS.
Under the call Of states the following bills and
RESOLUTIONS were introduced and referred:
THE CONGO QUESTION.
BY Mr. Herbert (Ala.)-A preamble and resolution
requesting the President to inform the House
whether he has accredited Hon. John A. Kasson
and Gen. W. S. Sanford as delegates to represent
The United States In the Congo conference and il
hin TO take such step; and whether II he has so
accredited them, in the letters OF authority to them
or otherwise there were any conditions affixed to,
OF limitations placed upon, the exercise of their
authority as such delegates and. II limitations and
conditions were prescribed, whether such delegates
made known TO the conference the limitations OF
their authority, or whether they appeared uncon-
Gtfonally and apparently with final powers to act
n hs the United States
question or erecting and maintaining a
new state On the continent OF Africa also "to i'm
part to the House such information as may be in
his possession tending to show whether tile new
state to be erected and maintained by the powers
taxing part in the conference is to be republican
or monarchla In fom;" also, I" to give his opinion
as TO Whe. her the appearance OF delegates from
the United states In such an international con-
ference would not estop this government to deny
rlgnt1uinesS OF any future alliance European SOW
ereigns might make to set UP on the American con-
tihent governments OF such form as to them might
seem wise, whenever an occasion for such inter-
IMPORTANT BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were also introduced: By Mr.
Hunt Qa)-Approplaring 81 600 GOO for the erection
OF public building at New Orleans BY Mr. Cassidy
Nev.).Throwlng open for occupancy mineral lands
situated on Indian reservations By Mr. Cox {N.Y.>-
To prevent obstructive and injurious deposits with
In the harbOr and adjacent waters of New York
Also, authorizing the Bartholdi statue to be used
for light house: Also, creating the ONCE of as
Slstant chief signal officer, with the rank and
pay OF colonel OF Infantry. [Mr. Cox's
purpose in introducing this blll is to pro-
ylde VIC m o, position lon for Lieutenant Greely.l
OF Commander s. Dana Green. BY Mr. HOPKINS
Pa)-To provide for the erection OF public build
public buildings at such cities tie Ia as nav be
thought advisable by commission consisting OF
the Secretaries OF the Treasury and the Interior,
the postmaster General and the Attorney General.l
By Mr. rucker-To increase the number Of JUDGES
ror United States courts and to prevent delay In the
provide for the issue of one two, and live dollar
silver certificates Also to grant copyrights to cti-
zens OF foreign countries. By Mr.. Breckinrdge Ky)
Ito provide for the creation of river and harbor
department.
TARIFF REFORM.
Mr.. Hiscock moved to suspend the rules and pass
a bill abolishing the internal revenue tax on to-
bacco, cigars, snuff, cigarettes and cheroots the
special tax on dealers in tobacco and tie tax on
liquors distilled wholly from fruit.
Mr.. Mills demanded q second, and the motion was
SecOnded-S6, Is.
Mr.. Hiscock's motion to suspend the rules and
pass the bill to repeal certain internal revenue
laws waS lOst-yeaS n, nays 12S
Capitol Notes.
THE INDIAN LANDS LEASE INVESTIGATION.
The investigation ordered by the Senate into the
matter OF Indian lands leased to certain parties for
grazing purposes Will begin before the Senate COM
mittee on Indian affairs tomorrow Most Of the
witnesses summoned from the west have arrived
While no action has yet been taken by the commit-
quiry, member Of the committee said to-day
he supposed the proceedings would be Open He
declared himself In favor Of open Investigation
SECRETARY CHANDLER's VIEWS AS TO THE NAVAL
In reply to Mr. Randalls inquiry If the sums pro-
posed In the Senate bill for the support of the navy
for the balance OF this flscal year, which amounts
to about $500 600 less than the House bill appronr
atesNWil be sufficient for the needs of the navy
Secretary Chandler gives reasons why the form of
the Senate bill is better than that of the House hut
urges the necessity OF increasing the
He urges the committee to 'speedily terminate the
anomalous condition Of Affairs which makes it
necessary TO maintain the navy without the usual
appropriations, and recommends that the items of
the Senae bill be increased so as to reach the fol-
lowing estimates. which about correspond with the
House bil Bureau OF navigation-General ex-
penses, S. GOO; contingent, ,0OO compass testing
mouse, H,OOO Bureau OF ordnance, $4,000, or not
less than $85, 900 as minimum. Bureau of eouin-
ment $4,000 or not less than $40 600 as minimum
Bureau OF yards and docks-For maintenance
$4,000, or not less than $4,000 as q minimum
and for contingent expenses, $12, ,0OO Bureau OF
medicine and surgery, $l2, 500, or not less than
$500 as minimum Bureau OF provisions and
clothing, $4,000 Bureau OF construction and re-
pairs, $550,0O0.
CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS FOR THE NEXT HOUSE TO
SETTLR
M. h. Kidd has nled a notice OF contest for the
seatof George W. Steele, OF the Eleventh Indiana
distinct, In the Forty ninth congress; the frst
nofite OF a contest in the next congress that has
been filed with the clerk Of the House,
Tue Hon. Frank Hurd, on Saturday served for.
malnotice OF contest upon the Hon. Jacob Rorneis
chagtng repeating, bribery, intimidation and
Illegal voting.
Gov. ClAvelandSa N1nv~n,>ur.