The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-26
THE FORTY-NlNTH CONGRESS.
Delays in the Senate, Caused by Deficiency in
Primary Education in the House.

WASHINGTON, JAN 25.-The Chair laid before
the Senate letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury, in compliance with the recent resolu-
ton Of the Senate asking for information as to
what proportion Of bonds called for payment
Feb l, 1886. are held by national banks as ba-
sis for circulation. The letter was read. It
states the amount Of bonds held at S., 009, $50
The Chair also presented letters from the Sec
rotary of War showing the contracts made by
his department during the past fiscal year, and
transmitting to the board Of Notifications re-
port of the Quartermasterg and a report
showing the number of clerks employed in the
various bureaus of the War Department; also, a
letter from the Secretary of the Interior stating
that an increase in the clerical force Of the Com
missioner of Railroads is indispensable to the
proper performance of duties devolving on that
officer. especially In connection with investga-
tons on the subject of land grants to railroads.
Mr.. George presented the credentials of Hon.
IL. e. Walthall, elected senator from Mississippi,
to fill the unexpired term of Senator Lamar.
Mr.. Walthall was then sworn in by the President
pro tempore Of the Senate.
Mr.. Hoar, from the committee on judiciary,
reported bill to provide for the settlement of
the debt of the Pacific railroad.
Mr.. Wilson submitted an amendment which
was ordered printed and referred to the judiciary
committee, providing that whenever it may be
necessary, for the protection and security of the
interests of the United States in respect of it's
lien, mortgage or otherwise, on the property OF
any OF the companies affected by the bill, the
President may order the Secretary of the Treas
ury to clear off prior paramount liens mort
cages by paying the same, and that on such
payment the United States shall become sub
rogated to the rights thereto or pertaining to
such paramount liens or mortgages.
Mr.. Hoar said he thought the judiciary COM
mittee would agree to the amendment, which
had been perfected too late for the considera-
ton of the committee
A resolution offered by Mr.. Conger was agreed
to, calling ON the Secretary of War for certi-
fed copy of special order No, SO, headquarters
department. of Texas, dated April %. 1866.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Mitchell, of Ore
gou, was agreed to, calling on the same Secretary
to inform the Senate what disposition. if any,
Congress for the commencement of the construc-
ton of a breakwater at Port Oxford.
Mr.. Hoar submitted, for reference to the COM
mittee on rules, proposed new rule requiring
that, upon motion to adjourn the Senate to a
day other than the next legislative day, the
question shall be taken by yeas and nays Re-
ferred to the committee on rules In Offering
the proposed rule, Mr.. Hoar called attention to
the large number of important bills left over on
the adjournment of the last Congress, and the
sequently left unredressed. Mr.. boar depre-
Gated the practice of adjournirg from Thursdays
to Mondays.
A joint resolution from the House of Repre-
sentatives was placed before the Senate, appro-
priating money for the relief of the-Northern
Cheyenne Indians. Upon examination, the
spelling OF some words in the bill was found to
be wrong
Mr.. Dawes said the misspelling was such as to
render the intent OF Congress doubtful, and the
matter went over so as to permit of correction.
Mr.. ingalls, severely commented upon the sig
norance or careless" of the engrossing clerks of
another body" from which many bill that come
before the Senate emanated. In many bills sent
by that body to the Senate for its action all ac-
ton had to be suspended and the intent of Con-
gress frustrated by the misspelling of the COM
monest words. He exonerated the Senate clerks
from any responsibility for these difficulties. and
said he knew of no remedy at the disposal of the
Senate except the correcting influence of public
opinion.
Mr.. Berry called up his resolution, submitted
some days ago. providing that the leases of the
lighthouses and hot springs, at Hot Springs,
Ark. be not renewed until Congress shall decide
whether further legislation in regard thereto be
necessary. After brief debate the resolution
went over.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the electoral-count bill, and Mr.. Morgan
took the floor. He characterized Mr. Sherman's
proposed amendment rs entirely new. It would
usurp he said. into the hands Of Congress
power that was not given to Congress by the
Constitution, and power the exercise of which,
under the proposed amendment would tear
down and destroy one of the electoral bodies pro-
vided by the Constitution. He could not see
how the danger to the Senate could be decreased
by having the rs senators voting pell-mell with
the 325 members of the House of Representa-
tiveS Could there be a more daring threat or
greater danger to constitutional power than the
proposition brought forward by the Senator from
Ohio Mr.. Sherman supported by the Senator
from New York Mr.. Evarts]. when they de-
clared the right of Congress to create an electoral
body which the people had never chosen. with
reference to the choice of PRESIDENT The bill
reported from the committe was worthy of the
Senate, and he hoped it would pass.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Morgan's remarks,
the Senate went into executive session, and
when the doors reopensa a message from the
House of Representatives was placed before the
Senate, giving information Of the death of Rep
resentative Rankin, of Wisconsin, and present.
ing for the action of the Senate concurrent res
olutio n expressive of its regret.
Mr.. Sawyer offered resolution, which was
agreed to, in which the Senate, after concurring
in the House resolution, expresses its deep sen
sibility OF the loss sustained by Congress in the
death of Mr.. Rankin, and provides for a COM
mittee of three senators to act with the House
committee III suDerintending the funeral and
escorting the remains of the deceased to Wlscon-
sin.
The Chair appointed as such committee
Messrs. Sawyer, Blackburn and Jones of Arkan-
sas. The Senate then adjourned.
Proceedings in the House.
To-