The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-24
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Passage of the Des Moines Land Titles and
Postoffice Appropriation Bills.

Passage of the Des Moines Land Titles and
| PostofIice Appropriation Bills.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 3d. The Chair laid before
the Senate the credentials of James K. Jones,
| senator reject from Arkansas.
| A resolution was agreed to authorizing the
/ committee on Indian affairs to continue, during
the leases of Indian lands
| Another resolution was agreed to- calling on
the Secretary of the Interior to furnish informa-
ton relating to the progress of Indian education.
| Mr.. Miller, of California presented petition
received by telegraph from the annual encamp-
| ment of the Grand Army of the Republic, now
| IN session at San Francisco, asking the mmedi-
ate passage by Congress of the bill to place Gen.
Grant on the retired list The petition was,
under the rule, laid ON the table. the Senate
having already, on its part, passed bill to
carry out the purpose prayed for by the petit
| ton.
the Des Mones settlers titles bill was then
placed before the Senate, and Mr.. Lapham re-
sumed his remarks in support of his proposed
amendment exempting from the operation of the
act such OF lands as were covered by the joint
resolution of March 2 1861, and whose titles the
Supreme Court has decided to have been rem
dered valid by that joint resolution.
The amendment was defeated-yeas IA nays
49, The bill was then passed--yeas 81, nays "a.
AS 1T is Senate bill, it now goes to the House
| OF Representatives.
Consideration of the postoffice appropriation
| bill was then resumed
| Some debate arose on the committees pro-
| posed amendment striking out the House pro-
vision that would require the Secretary of the
| Treasury to bid in competition with private
| parties for the manufacture of postage stamps,
| stamped envelopes and postal cards On the
| question coming to vote the provision was
struck out, as recommended by the Senate COM
mlttee-yeaS 81, nays TO- The only Democrat
voting in the affirmative Beck, and the only
| Republican in the negative was Sherman.
The Senate also agreed to the committees
amendments striking out the provisions for an
extra l0-cent postage rate on letters intended for
| special expedition in delivery.
Mr.. Maxey, by direction of the committee on
postoffices and post roads, offered an amendment
to extend in favor of third-class postoffices the
| privilege given the Postmaster general to lease
| premises for accommodation of first and second
| class offices. Ruled out on point of order.
! Mr. Frye offered an amendment appropriating
| $500 900 for transportation of foreign mails in
Guiding the transit across the isthmus of Panama,
| and authorizing the Postmaster general to con-
| tract with the lowest responsible bidder for the
carriage of such mails at not to exceed so cents
| per nautical mile on the trip each way actually
| travelled between terminal points. but providing
| that such mails shall be carried on American
! steamships, and that the aggregate of such con-
| tracts shall not exceed onehalf the sum appro-
| priated by the amendment
After debate the amendment was agreed to
| 80 to 18
/ The Senate retained the House provision per-
hitting newspaper articles to be marked without
| increase of postage.
| The bill was then read third time and passed
! without division. 1t goes to the House for
| concurrence or non concurrence in the Senate
amendment.
Mr.. Mitchell said he would, tomorrow, call up
| private pension bills on the Senate calendars.
The Senate then went into executive session,
and when the doors were reopened, adjourned