National Republican., 1885-01-15
THE SENATE AND HOUSE.
Proceedings or Congress YeSterday-The
French SpoliatIOn Bill Passes,

In the senate Mr.. Allison, from the commit.
tee on appropriations, pursuant TO the recon-
mendation of the President reported q bill,
which was read three times and passed, pro-
vldlng for compensation and expenses Of spe.
cial electoral messengers 10 be sent to Iowa
and Oregon for the returns of the late presi
dental elections In those states.
The bill introduced on Tuesday by Mr. Ed
munds providing for the placing Of Gen. Grant
upon the retired list Of the army was passed
The interesting discussion in the senate upon
this measure Will be found in another column
+. Upon motion OF Mr.. Hale the senate took up
the naval appropriation bill, and after the
amendments proposed by the committee on
appropriations had been agreed to the bill was
passed.
The interstate commerce bill was further de-
bated by Senators Slater, Cullom Van Wyck
Hoar, Allison Mcpherson, and Camden.
Attention was called by Mr.. Harrison TO the
death Of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, who had been
presiding officer of the senate and vice presi.
dent of the United States and, as a mark OF
respect to the memory oi the deceased, the
senate adjourned.
for the compensation and expenses of special
messengers sent by the secretary OF state to
Oregon and Iowa 10 bring here the duplicate
certificates of the electoral votes OF those states
Under tho special order of the day the house
proceeded to the consideration Of business re-
ported from the committee on foreign affairs
Tho first bill considered was the senate
French gpOliatiOn claims bills,
Mr. Cox, of North Carolina. sketchcd the
history Of the origin of these claims, and
argued that the importance Of the case and
Justice 10 the claimants deyolyed upon CON
gfcsa the duty Of providing Q tribunal compe-
tent to secure a settlement OF the yeXed ques-
tiapA In years gone by IOrty'three favorable
rtbOrts had been made by congressional com
mittees upholdlng the validity OF these claims,
and these reports had been submitted, after
careful study, by such men as Daniel Webster,
Caleb Cushing, aud Charles Sumner
Messrs Rice of Massachusetts, Broadhead OF
| Missouri, Hunt Of Louisiana, Phelps Of New
Jersey, and Milliken of Maine also made
speeches in favor of tho bill, while Messrs
| Jones OF Wisconsin, Cox Of New York, Holman
OF Indiana, and Blount Of Georgia opposed the
measure
Mr.. Warner, OF Ohio, moved that II be com
| mitled to the committee on claims. Lost.
The bill was then passed-yeas 49, nays u
| II refers the claims TO the court OF claims FOL
| examination and report 70 congress.
The Chinese indemnity tund bill was thoT
| called up by Mr.. Wait, Of Connecticut anC
| AFTER brief explanation by him Of It's pro
| visions tile bill was passed,
II authorizes the President 10 cause the resi-
| due Of the Chinese indemnity fund TO bo con
! Yerted into coin, and TO cause the sum o
! Sis3 400 90 10 be returned TO the Chinese gov
| treasury, provided that before the payment L
| China the secretary of state shall pay IRON
| the fund to the executors Of q, u, Hei
| $4,000 on account OF the loss OF the Yesse
| KenleAr.
The house then, at 8 o'clook, adjourned
| A democratic caucus was announced w TAXI
| place to-day az Up, N.