The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-02
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS
TheExpediency celebrating Two Great
Events Tc Be Inquired Into.
The House Rejects the Senate's Changes in the
River and Harbor Bill. and Votes Against
the Amended Surplus Resolution.



An Inquiry Into the Expediency Of Ceiebrat-
ing Two Great Events.
WASHINGTON. July 3l.--The Senate took up
the Hoar resolution, from the library committee,
for the appointment of a committee to inquire
into the expediency of and plan for celebrating
the hundredth anniversary of the Constitution
and the four hundreth OF the discovery OF Amer
ice.
Mr. Hawley spoke of the efforts Of certain gen
tlemen who, by pamphlet and otherwise, were in
dustriously pressing the plan for great inter
national exposition some of the public
grounds in Washington. with the idea Of erect
ing expensive buildings, which we're to be per-
manent. It was a question whether the manu-
featuring and business interests of the country
were prepared for it He had not the slightest
idea that they were. No permanent exposition
of such character had ever been anything but
a disastrous failure. He wanted to have the
ipitiatory movement guarded so that the gov
eminent would not be committed to it.
Mr.. Hoaf declared the purpose Of the resolu-
ton was absolutely free from committing the
government to anything.
Mr. Voorhees,, also member of the library
committee, said that there was no comnittal to
celebration The resolution was an act OF re-
committee aud discussed the subject
Mr.. Van Wyck thought that the expenses OF
the centennial celebration at Philadelphia and
the late New Orleans exposition had been quite
enough for the government and people.
Mr.. Hale was squarely opposed to Congress.
at this late day, doing anything that would COM
nit the government to any such exposition.
Washington was the last place IN the country
for an industrial exposition. Not an argument
could be urged in favor Of it, but all the argu-
ments were against IL.
MIR. Salisbury declared himself utterly op-
posed to the resolution In any shape He re-
eaPded it as an insdious initial step towards an
expenditure of several millions by the govern
ment very unnecessarily. He denied that there
was any legitimate power in Congress to appro-
pirate the peoples money so as to give "fr0llc'
tathe people of Washington.
The resolution was modified, at the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Hawley, to direct the commit
tee of seven. of whom one shall be the presiding
officer of the Senate to consider the expediency
OF properly celebrating at the capital OF the
Republic. these two illustrious anniversaries,
and il said celebration be deemed expedient,
shall report on the method, cost and general plan
thereof at the next session of Congress-" and
was adopted-ysas Al, nays IL.
Dir. Evarts asked leave to offer resolution
questing the President to open correspondence
with the principal commercial powers of Europe,
with the view of ascertaining their estimate of
the effect now operating commercial ex-
changes and the values OF commodities there
exchanged by the great fall in silver bullion and
the disuse of silver coinage, which date, pro-
gressively. from the demonstration Of silver
by Germany in 1870; also, to ascertain.
by such correspondence whether such powers,
Or any of them, are disposed, separately or in
concert with others. either with or without the
United States, to engage, either by domestic
regulation or international convention in any
movement towards the restoration Of parity
between gold and silver In full function in
srinsic money. upon ratio to be established by
law; and to lay such correspondence before
Congress at its next session. He said that he
would next Monday, ask the Senate to consider
the resolution. and would accompany the re-
quest with some brief observations Ordered
printed and laid over till Monday.
Mr. Plumb from the committee on public
lands. reported back House bill to declare
forfeiture of the lands of the New Orleans,
Baton Rouge & Vicksburg Railroad Company
Placed on the calendar
The select committee on the proposed celebra-
tion of the one hundreth anniversary of the Con-
stitution lin 1882 and four hundreth of the dis.
covery of America lin 1892 was announced 1t
consists OF Messrs. Sherman, Hoar, Sewell Haw-
ley, Voorhees,. German and Eustis.
The conference committee on the surplus
resolution was also announced as Messrs ALI
son, Aldrich and Beck.
A Senate bill for the relief Of the sureties of j.
G. Dexter, formerly United States dishursing
agent at the land Office. Iona, Mich, was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Eustis the Senate took up
the House bill to amend the law as to the mode
of packing and selling cut tobacco. He addressed
the Senate 10 favor of the bill.
Mr. Aldrich moved its committal to the COM
mittee on finance, as it was charged that the bill
would open the door to great frauds.
Mr.. Palmer presented circumstances of large
tobacco-houses in Detroit against it.
Mr.. Beck favored its recommittal so that the
committee might give hearings. next session, to
representatives of the trade. The bill was re-
committed.
The Senate then went into secret session, and
when the doors were reopened adjourned.