Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-01-22
CONGRESSIONAI,.

JAN. S-SENA1E.--A resolution Of the New
York Produce Exchange Urging Congress 10
make liberal provision for the signal service
was laid before the senate, and referred. A
concurrent resolution was offered by Mr.,
Eustis of Louisiana proposing that United
States bonds be paid In silver dollars was
referred. Some little time was spent In the dis
scussion of private relief bills. During the dis
cussion of these bills senator Dolph made men
ton of the increasing number Of such bills,
the decrease In the number Of mertoriOus
bills before congress and suggested some gen
eral consideration Tor these private bills that
the time of congress may bee devoted 10 matters,
of more importance. . The Utah bill was next
taken up After some debate Mr.. Browns
(Dem. Ca amendment offered yesterday,
which was 10 strike out the words that would
compel the lawful husband or wife OF the ac-
cnsed 10 testify, was reicctcd-yeas, IL nays
~; and the compulsory provision was there
fore retained in the bill. An animated discus
sion ensued over the section which
trustees 10 administer the property
business affairs and operations of the cOrpo-
ration known AS the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints Marcy Of Texas sup
ported the bill. He held Mormonism TO be
but cloak for RIGHTEOUSNESS. and thought
the committee had Disseminated with great
skill between religious liberty aud secular
license MIR. Cali of Florida thought We were
departing. from the ground of our
boosted libcrty-frecdOm of speech
and thought 80 when we passed
such bill. The Mormons had as much right
10 proclaim their faith As "the distinguished
man who denies the divinity of the Christ"
The success of Mormunism, he thought, was
due 10 its great activity as secular organiza-
ton. II had gone abroad over the earth and
taken place from misery and overly and
brought them 10 a land of peace and plenty
and il was no wonder that 1t had been - sue
cessful Now that these people were here
They could be brought under Outstanding
influences. The miustratiOns of religions
were sufficient 10 conquer Mormon, ~m aud
would do 50 more completely and happily
than the bill before tie Senate could. Several
amendments were offered and voted down.
The bill having been brought 10 vote was
passed yeas -, nays, :. several bllls were IN
PRODUCED, among them bills 10 Increase the
pension OF the persons who lost one eye 10
S35 per month"; the difference between that
rate and : per month, the rate now allowed
10 be- paid such pensioners from July !, 1871,
10 the date of the passage OF The act.
To prohibit the letting Of government
contracts 10 persons who employ convict labor
JAN. n.-SENATE perfect deluge Of pc
titiOns praying for the suspension OF silver
coinage was laid before the senate. The bills
To admit Dakota and provide for the organi-
cation of the territory of Lincoln were favor
ably reported Morgan OF Alabama offered
resolution setting forth that the section OF the
Utah bill recently passed. by which the man
agcmeut Of the property and affairs of the
church Is dangerous 10 the freedom OF
the church and direct violation
Of the principles OF the constitution Of the
United state, and further sets forth that II Is
not within the power Of Congress 10 appoint
officers of the United states 10 participate
with the ohiccrs of any church IN the manage
m nj of ecclesiastical affairs. Henderson ot
\chras la called up his bill 10 increase the ELI
cheney of the infantry branch of the
army, and made an earnest plea in
support of the bill, advocating an increased
force and promotion absolutely necessary
10 maintain proper esprit de corps. lie
quoted largely from American and European
history TO sustain his views. Mr. Blair of
New Hampshire addressed the Senate in sup
port OF hi, Till 10 erect monuments in Wash
iugtou in honor Of Lincoln ana Grant. The
great event of the day, however. was tn
discussion ~ Becks silver resou-
ton, Mr. Pugh Of Alabama address
ing tie Senate in vigorous speech IN behalf
of silver. Al the conclusion Of his address,
the senate went into executive session and
soon adjourned.
Hou,E-lu the House the principal work
was the introduction and referring of bills
The following are some of the most import
ant ones. Authorizing females 10 enter land
under the homestead law, prohibiting aliens
from acquiring title 10 OF owning lands. within
ne United States, 10 retire national hank
rates and 10 prevent the huctuatiun Of the
currency by the substitution of treasury
notes; 10 provide for the ISSUE of fractional
paper currency; 10 promote the study OF
physiology and hygienie: for the relief of Mrs.
bella +. Grummond OF Detroit, whose
husband died in federal service
during the late war, 10 abolish compulsory
pilotagc of vessels on the coast trade, 10 en-
courage ship building, aud directing the APP
poiutmeut Of committee Ia enquire what II
any, legislation will promote the interests OF
the American marine engaged ia fisheries
authorizing silver bullion fund for the pur-
chase Of silver bullion. FOR the issue OF treas
ury certificates ON deposited silver bullion;
directing the payment of the surplus
i'm the treasury In excess Of SjOOOl,OlO un
the public debt. About 90 bills were int o
duccd TO-DAY. making the total number now
awaiting action by the 90 umittee 400. Tie
House then adjourned
JANUAHN l1-SENATE- silver question
monopoliZcd the entire time OF the Senate the
discussion being principally upon the follow
inc resolution of senator Beck: Resolved BY
the senate and House of Representatives,
etc. that the Secretary or the Treasury De and
ne il hereby directed, on all payments here
after made OF interest on the bpud> and the
notes of the Unitcd States and i'm the purchase
or payment OF one per cent. OF the entire debt
Of tn United states for the sinking fund,
required by law, 10 pay out gold aud silver
coin a. nearly as possible In the same proper
tiOn n which gold coin and certificates aud
silver coin and certificates and silver coin and
certificates were received during the preceding
fiscal wear on duties ON imported goods After
"A brief executive session for the confirmation
of nomination. the senate adjourned.
Hou~E-Mr Rcgan II Texas led the debate in
the House in care ly prepared speech on tn
financial question. advocating the double
standard of value, aud condemning the nation
al banking system. Mr.. Bland Of VI ssour
thought On committee on weights and
measures would have something 10 report on
this matter at an early day aud he moved that
might be postponed aud come up in regular
lrltr llis motion WAS carried and the House