The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-05-19
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS
Senate Sessions.


Hoar criticising the policy of delay in adjnsti
ing honest bills against the government.
Mr.. Hale renewed his argument in favor Of
subsidilng steamships for mail purposes
Europe, he said, had built up it's foreign
commerce by this policy. Mr.. Brown SAID
he opposed his party in favoring the subsidy
The South now had diversified manufa ctureA
that demanded an outlet for overproduction,
and such markets. he believed, could zbe-
reached by this means. Il!
N1NETY-FIRsT DAY.-The joint resolution
providing that the 30th of April shall here-
after be substituted for the 4th Of March aS
the beginning of the official term Of the Presis
dent, Vice President, and the Congress-
was reported favorably, as was also 9
bill creating Commission to be appointed
by the President to select an accurate ballot
box and counting device, which shall be used
in all Congressional elections. .. Mr.. Dolph
offered on amendment to the Fora-
ications Appropriations bill appropris
ating s1O,OO6,00O' for the construction Of
Notifications and other works Of coast de-
fence in accordance with the recommends
tions Of the Board of Fortifcations to be
expended under the direction Of the Secre-
tary Of War. In debate on the Postofhce
Appropriation bill Mr.. Vest attacked the
principle of giving subsidies to steamship
lines, maintaining that the provision would
marine. After g. running debate the Senate
went into executive session. 5gf4
NINETY-sECoND. DAY.-The Senate re-
sumed the steamship subsidy debate. After
remarks by Messrs. Morgan and Plumb, an
amendment directing the proposed contracts
to be made for not less than five
nor more than ten years was adopted
by a vote Of % yeas to q nays
Mr.. Morgan moved to strike out the clause
requiring the steamships to be Of American
build, which amendment was lost by q: vote
for the foreign mails, as finally
amended by the Senate was agreed to by
80 yeas to 1e nays. The vote on the final
passage Of the bill was As yeas to 10 nays -.
N1NErY-TH1RD DAY:-Mr. Morgan, from
Foreign Relations Committee, reported
resolution looking to the suppression OF
the evils growing out Of the crossing
of cattle over the border lines be-s
tween the United States and Medco....
The Senate considered the Interstate Coma
merce bill, the pending amendment being
that offered by Mr.. Camden, applying an alb
solute long and short haul clause to each rail-
road separately. The amendment was adopt.
ed by a vote Of % to a.. Executive Ses-
sion ~. ~
N1NETY-FoURrH DAY.-The Senate Com
mittee on Public Lands to-day reported the
bill passed by the House some time ago de-
claring forfeited grants Of land made in aid
of the construction of certain railroads In
Mississippi, Alabama and other States. The
committee amended the House bill so as to
except the Gulf and Ship Island road OF Mis-
state Commerce bill took place between
MessrA Camden and Ingalls, X;
House Sessions z{Ss4
103D DAY.-In discussion of the River and
Harbor Appropriation bill there was debate
over the Mississippi River appropriation.
The matter was brought to head by Mr.
Holman und.), who offered an amendment
providing that the money appropriated for
the lower Mississippi should be expended
work on the Plum Point and Laks
Providence reaches. He thought Congress
owed it to the country that the plan Of Inn.
provement should be thoroughly tested at
those two reaches before any more vast ex.
penditures were authorized. MIR. Holmanis
amendment was rejected, seventy-on to
eighty-one; also an amendment by Mr.. War.
ner Ohio, placing the distribution Of the
fund under the Secretary Of War instead Of
the River Commission. s
10TH DAY.-Mr. Findlay from the Civil
Service Committee submitted report on the
resolution offered by Mr. Taulbee Ky.) direct
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to inform
the House by what authority substitute
clerks were permitted in his department.
The report says that there is no reason to
question the good faith Of the statement OF
the acting Secretary that substitutes are
allowed in cases of absence Of permanent
employees through illness, and accepting this
discharged from its further consideration. a.
running debate on The merits and demerits
of the Civil Service law ensued between
Messrs Taulbee, Miller IN. ~, Cannon tIll)
and others, at the conclusion Of which the
resolution was tabled-yeas, ia; nays, 113
90. Mr.. Cox, from Foreign Affairs, reported
the bill amendatory Of the Chinese 1mnigrar
tion Act. Also providing indemnity to Ger.
tain Chinese subjects for losses sustained
105rH DAY.-Mr. Findlay (Md.) offered 9
joint resolution in favor Of abolishing all
taxes Of every description on tobacco and on
the manufacture and sale thereof, rather
than to reduce the tariff on imported goods
.. Mr.. Bean (Ari.) introduced g. bill author \
izing the President to offer a reward Of S25,-
600 for the killing or capture Of Geronimo
....Mr. Breckenridge tArk) introduced g
resolution to give silver certificates full legal
of certificates of the denominations of one,
two, and FIVE dollars. >. BY vote Of 2l5 to
8 the rules were suspended and bill passed
for the adjustment of land grants
made by Congress to aid in the construction
Of railroads in Kansas and for the forfeiture
of unearned lands
1O6TH DAY.-The speaker presented COM
munication from the Secretary Of State OF
New York enclosing copy of the resignation
the Ninth New York Congressional
District, and it was laid on the table,.
The Campbell Weaver contested election
case obtained the floor, and by vote Of llS
to 80 the resolution Of the majority Of the
Committee on Elections, which confirms the
sitting member, Weaver, in his seat, was
adopted.
10TH DAY.-Mr. Hewitt IN. ~ addressed
the House at length on the bill for the relief
of certain officers Of the Volunteer Army. 1t
was time, he said to call halt upon these
sum-from the Treasury Of the United
States, which could only be brought
out by the coined sweat OF
the the laboring men Of the country.
The Government had not any money to give
away. Thousands of men were to-day in the
presence of starvation. The avenues for work
were being closed up-mostly the result OF
over-taxation. Let the House, he said, ed
dress itself to the work Of reducing taxes.
this measures" queeried Mr.. Warner, of Mis-
souri,. The limit Of endurance on the part
of the taxpayers has been reached, replied
Mr. Hewitt, tand it is breaking out in riot
and death and dynamite; and it will not stop
until the pressure and load of taxation IS re-
moved -. Mr. Frederick, from the Com
mittee on the Alcoholic Liquor Traffic, re-
ported adversely Senate bill providing for
a commission on the subject of the liquor
tra !Fic
10SrH DAY.--Debate on the River and
Haroor Appropriation bill was resumed MIR.
Everhardt Q'enn.) severely criticised the
measure. Several amendments were intro
d111 al and raiected Finally Mr.. Holman