Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-31
CONGRESSIONAL.


DECEMBER 1s-Mr. Hill OF Ohio called up
the bill providing for an associate justice
of the supreme court of New Mexico, but
before any action was reached the house
went into committee of the whole on the
Oklahama bill The measure met
its provisions are claimed TO be very
ambiguous. Then Mr.. Morrison moved
that the house go into committee OF the
whole for the purpose OF considering
revenue bills. The motion was lost by a
vote of li9 TO l5i, and the house adjourned
till Monday.
WAsuISGToN, Dec. 20 "A number OF bills
and resolutions were introduced in the
house. Mr.. Hiscock called up his motion
TO suspend the rules and pass the bill rela
tive TO duties on tobacco. The bill amends
the statutes relating TO the duties on leaf
tobacco rs follows: Leaf tobacco in any
bale. box, package or bulk any part OF
which is suitable for wrappers, il not
stemmed, 80 cents per pound II stemmed,
81 per pound, upon the whole contents OF
such bale, box, package or bulk. Mr. Nor
rison and Mr.. breckenridge of Arkansas
opposed the bill and Mr.. Hiscock's motion
was lost-yeas %, nays l65 Mr.. Forney
OF Alabama moved to suspend the
rules and pass the senate bill amend
ing the statutes making an annual
appropriation to provide arms and equip
ments for the militia with an amendment
making the annual appropriation 500, 900.
Agreed to-yeaS 1873, nays ~. Mr.. Towns
bend of Illinois moved to suspend the rules
and pass n bill limiting the jurisdiction of
United States courts in patent eases "a
$500 and to protect persons who without
notice are bona fide manufacturers, pur-
chaSes vendors and users of patented ar
tlcles To prevent vote on the measure
the house adjourned.
Considerable new legislation was intro
duced in the senate, but beyond this moth
inc WaS lOnn and after eXpeutlVe session
the senate adjourned
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2f.-Mr Morrill, from
the finance committee, reported back IA
vorahly bill To fix the charges for pass
ports at 81, and IL was Immediately passed.
Among bills introduced and referred were
the following: Mr.. Sewell, from the com
mittee on library, reported bill appoint
ing James b. Angel of Michigan member
OF the board OF regents of the Smithsonian
institution; passed Mr. Ingalls, offered a
resolution discharging the committee on
pensions from further consideration OF
the bill introduced by him last session, to
remove the limitation OF the payment OF
arrears of pensions. The resolution was
laid over. The resolution for holiday re-
cess from December - to January 4 was
presented and agreed to. The conference
report on the Interstate commerce bill
was discussed until the senate went into
executive session, after which the senate
al journed.
The house adopted the resolution for a
holiday recess from December % 10 Janu-
nry T. and concurred in the bin for the re-
lief of the survivors Of the Arctic explor-
ing steamer Jeanette. The house went
into committee of the whole on the army
appropriation bill, There was no general
debate. and the bill was Immediately read
bV paragraphs for amendments. On mo-
ton OF Mr.. Bragg OF Wisconsin, an amend
ment was adopted providing that when
any officer travelling on duty, travels on
any railroad on which United States
troops are entitled to be transported free
of charge he shall be allowed only four
cents mile as "A subsistence fund. The
bill then passed. Senate amendments TO
the urgency deficiency bill were concurred
in and the house adjourned.
DECEMBER 22-Mr Edmunds from the
committee on foreign relations, reported
bill 10 provide for the execution OF
article >. of the treaty with China OF
November II, 1870, on the sub ect of opium
tarific, and gave notice that he would ash
for its consideration as soon as possible
after the holidays. Mr.. Blair, from the
committee on pensions. reported a bill &c
amend the laws relating to pensions
Calendar. Mr.. Hoar offered "A resolution
directing the committee on commerce C
report in the river and harbor bill. as &C
each public work for which an apprOpria
tion l. made therein. the facts which render
such an appropriation advisable and oi
national Importance, and the condition oil
the work, if begun. Adopted The reso
luton introduced by Mr.. Dawes on IN,
second day of the session instructing tn,
committee on finance to inquire into anC
report what specific reductions can be
made in the customs duties and interna
taxes that will reduce taxes TO the neces
sary and economical expenses of the gov
eminent without impairing the prosperity
of home industry and OF the compensation
of home labor was taken up and adopted
At l. - the senate adjourned until Tues
day the 4th of January.
Mr.. Warner of Ohio from the commit
tee on postofice ond postroad~. reported
bill requiring all land grant railroad com
panies 10 construct, maintain and Operat,
telegraph lines. Committee of the whole
\ senate bill was passed making Lewes
Del. port of delivery. The house ther
in the morning hour, resumed the consid
Grafton of the Oklahoma bill. Al the con
clusion of the debate on the Till the com
mittee rose and the matter went over anC
the house adjourned until January j.