The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-24
CONGRESSIONAL.
What Both Houses of Congress Have Been
Doing During thePast Week.

In the Senate Monday week petition OF citizens
Of savannah was PreseAted praying for repeal of
the silver coinage act Senator Mason offered
resolution calling for certain information about
District Attorneys in Virginia A favorable
report was made on the House bill authorizing
the assignment by the Secretary OF the Treas
States in the absence of the Treasurer Assistant
Treasurer. An amendment limiting the detail to
sixty days was agreed to, and the bill rec0mmitted
for further amendment. The education bill was
then taken up, Jackson, Maxey, Blair and Hawley
requesting the Judiciary Committee to answer
certain questions to the law authorizing the At
torney General 20 bring suits to cancel patents.
Mr.. BANDS free coinage bill was adversely re-
ported and placed on the calendar.
bill was reported from the Commerce
Committee authorizing the construction
New York. A bill was reported favOrably to com
pei all vessels OF the United States to carry mail
authorizing the loan OF the Government exhibits
to the New Orleans Exposition was talked over
ponents. The Fitz-John Porter bill was discussed
by Wheeler for and Cutcheon against until 5
O'Clock, when recess was taken until p. m. The
night session was ordered to debate the Fitz-John
Porter case.
In the Senate, Wednesday, Executive communi-
cations were received and bills introduced.
ating $4,000 for monument at Washington to
General Grant. 1t was amended, at Mr.. Slogan's
suggestion. to S25O,0oO. Bills on the calendar
were considered, and a measure TO punish tres
passers on Indian lands was passed. Notice was
given that the bill for the admission of Washing
ton Territory and the bankruptcy bill
tional bill has been disposed of. In the House
bills were reported granting the ranking privi-
lege to Mrs. Grant, accepting grant for the con-
structiOn of the Illinois and Mississippi River
Canal, and increasing the pension for deafness
Bills were passed providing allowances for money
order clerks, reducing the charge for money or
ders, and protecting homestead settlers. The
Fiz John Porter bill was debated by Kelley
Thomas Curtin and Weber.
rl.,
were presented and referred. Among these was
one to abolish the Presidency. A report from the
judiciary committee, with resolutions, was pre-
the action of the Attorney General in refusing
certain papers called fOr, and declared it to be
the duty of the Senate to withhold its advice
and consent to proposed removals of
officers in cases where papers are withheld. Con-
sideration of the Educational bill was resumed
and Mr.. R1ddleberger supported it. Mr.. Evarts
took the floor, when, on motion of NJ. Allison, the
Senate went into executive session, ana afterward
adjourned. In the House Mr.. Flndlay's appoint
ment on the Banking and Currency Committee
was announced. The Committee on Pacific Rail-
roads reported bill to compel the Pacific roads
to pay the United States the amount paid by
it for surveying lands granted. The Atlantic
and Pacific Railroad land grant forfeiture was
considered until the expiration of the morning
hour, when the Fitz John Porter bill was taken
up in Committee of the Whole. Messrs. Phelps,
of New Jersey; Curtin, of Pennsylvania: Warner
of Ohio; and Bragg, of Wisconsin, spoke in favor
of the bill, the latter closing the debate Mr..
OulCutOus VI AlCulBdug spOhe III OppOSlliOu. a
motion to recommit and strike ont the salary
clause was voted down-17S to 112. The bill final
ly passed-yeas, III; nays, l12.
In the Senate Fridays resolution tor inquiry
into the killing of Captain Crawford was referred,
after some debate to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. A bill extending the eight-hour law
to letter carriers was introduced. The Eustis
resolution relating to the New Orleans sub
treaSury afforded opportunity for debate
ON Whe silver question. After amendment,
the resolution was adopted. Messrs. Edmunds,
Ingalls,, Hoar and Others made speeches on the
Education bill. Political disabilities of Edward
G. W. Butler were removed. Adjourned to Tues
day. In the House Mr. Kelley's request to have
Hollis review of the Porter case printed in the
Record granted. Resolutions of thanks to
Joseph France were adopted. In committee of
the whole on private calendar Mr.. Scott got the
floor to offer an amendment to the pend
long speech on the silver question. Mr.. Geddes
did the same thing. dozen private bills were
passed, after which Mr.. Bland asked to have his
Free Silver Coinage bill made continuing spec
ial order from Tuesday next. Objected to: House
adjourned until Tuesday, Monday being Washing.
tons birthday.