National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-17
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
A Brief Resume of the Main Features
OF Last Weeks Work.


OF Last Weeks Work.
On Monday the Senate spent the day in
discussion upon the Indian appropriation
bill, which was passed. The House, after
receiving large mass of new bills, resolu-
lions, &C., devoted the remainder of the
day TO affairs OF the District Of Columbia,
and passed several measures, chief among
which was that providing for the judicial
settlement of the question Of title to the
Potomac Flats, which are now In course Of
reclamation for use as handsome park, sc.
On Tuesday the Senate INDUCED IN an
animated debate upon the Frye fisheries
resolutions. The gravity Of the situation
growing out Of Canada's hostile attitude
toward our fishermen, In the matter OF
threatening them with punishment II they
should attempt to avail themselves OF
rights allowed by existing treaties, was
made apparent and admitted by each OF the
speakers, and the only question at issue
between senators was as TO the feasibility
OF the proposed commission. At the con-
clusion Of the debate the Frye resolution,
declaring Il to be the sense Of the Senate
that Congress should not provide for any
Joint commission to consider and settle the
fisheries question, was adopted by n vote OF
So to 10. OF the affirmative votes twenty
the Democrats being Messrs. Brown, But
Ter, Fair, German, Harris, Mcpherson,
Maxey, Morgan, and Payne. The negative
votes were all Democratic, being Messrs.
Call, Cockrell, Coke, Colquitt, Eustis,
Gray, Pugh, Vance, voorhees,, and Wal
thai.
In the House the entire day was devoted
10 debate upon the contested election case
OF Hurd democratic contestant) VS.. Romeis
(Republican sitting member).
Wednesday the Senate was entertained by
n speech from Senator Butler In opposition
TO secret sessions; then bill for relief OF
honorably discharged soldiers OF the late
war was taken up, but no action secured
thereon. After the morning hour the In
terstate commerce bill was laid before the
Senate, and was supported in speeches by
Mr.. Cullom, the father OF the measure, and
Mr., Palmer Senator Cullom explained that
the theory Of the bill is that unjust dis.
elimination was the gist OF all the evils
growing out Of the existing methods OF rail.
road management. The bill had, therefore
been drawn with the view, as far as posi-
BILE, OF remedying that difficulty.
In the House, the contested election case
| OF Hurd against Romeis, of the Tenth
Ohio district, was debated ut length, and
after an earnest appeal by the contestant
the House defeated his claim and declared
hoIneis, tne blttlub hepuuncau, on
titled TO the seat. A majority OF 65
was developed, in which were AZ
Democrats. Thus the Ohio free trader was
repudiated by his party associates. After
ward the agricultural appropriation bill
was passed, and the river and harbor APP
Precipitation bill taken up, and 1t will be the
regular order OF business to-day.
On Thursday Senator Logan made |
| speech In favor OF his resolution to abolish
secret sessions Of the Senate for the consid
| Grafton OF Presidential nominations, In which
and verv strong reasons were given 10 prov,
that secret sessions are demoralizing, ant
that senatorial courtesyn should give place
TO fair and open consideration. Mr.. Riddle
berger also attacked the existing system
| and he charged that "the course OF senator
| in making In secret session charges agains
men nominated for Office 'smacket
smartly Of cowardice.'" After thes
speeches the Senate spent the re
sidering variety Of subjects, the result o
which was the ratification OF the treat,
with Venezuela, providing for the appoint
ment of commission OF three-one TO b.
appointed by each government, and tn
| third to be selected by those two-to NEE
in Washington for the purpose OF reopeninl
and considering the claims Of citizens o
the United States against the government
Of Venezuela. A number of Presidential
nominations OF successors to ''suspended'
officials were confirmed upon the strength
of reports vindicating the records Of tn
outgoing Republicans, and showing tina
they were suspended for. political reasons
and not on account Of charges reflectlnl
| upon their honor or integrity, either per
| sonally or officially.
The House passed bill to authorize tn
establishment OF export tobacco manufac
articles used'H in manufacturing expor
tobacco, and spent the remainder Of tn
day in discussion upon the river and harbo
appropriation bill, but with out action. TIL
| bill went over until to-day.