The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-10
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS.
Senate Sessions.

TwENTY-THIRD DAY.-E. G.. Walthall was
sworn in as Senator from Mississippi, succeed
ing Mr. Lamar. Bills introduced: BY MIR.
Van Wyck-To increase the pension to wild
ows and dependent relatives and granting
pension to invalid and dependent soldiers and
sailors. 1t provides that the pension now
granted widows or minor children
shall be increased from s. to $12 per
month"; and that the pensions of all persons
receiving less than IS per month shall be in
creased to that amount. BY Mr.. Cullom
-Increasrs, the pension for total disability
and that for utter helplessness to S10O per
month. BY Mr.. Morgan-Providing that In
dians shall be eligible to various government
appointments. :. The electoral bill was fur
ther discussed, after which the Senate went
into executive session. In executive session
Mr.. Edmunds offered a resolution that the
encouragement be directed to furnish the
Senate with all the papers in the possession OF
the department Of justice touching the sus.
States district attorney for the southern dis
trict of Alabama, and the appointment OF
J. D. Burnett as his successor. Carried, all the
Republicans voting AYE" and the Demo-
Gratis abstaining from voting. -. When the
doors were reopened the Senate received
notice of the death of Representative Rankin,
of Wisconsin, the House resolutions OF con-
dolence were agreed to, and the chair ap-
pointed Messrs. Sawyer, Blackburn and
tho funeral. The Senate then adjourned.
TwENTY-FoURTH DAY.-This being the
day appointed for the Senate addresses
in memory of the late Vice-President
Hendricks, the galleries Of the
Senate were filled with spectators
many present being ladies. Mr.. voorhees,
called up bis resolution expressive of the
Senates deep sense of the public loss in the
death Of the late Vice-President Hendricks.
The resolution having been read Mr..
VOORHEES, made an address eulogizins
character, and reviewing his life and
public services. Eulogies were also delivered
by Messrs. Hampton Sherman, Evarts, Ran
som, Salisbury, Harrison, Vest and Spooner.
The resolutions were then agreed to, and rs q
further evidence of respect for the memory OF
its late presiding officer, the Senate, on motion
of MIR. Harrison, adjourned.
TWENTY FIFTH DAY.-Mr. Harrison's sub
stitute for his original resolution of inquiry
as to the administration of the pension Office
was taken from the table and agreed to- It
directs the Senate committee on expendi-
lures Of public money to make investigation
into charges made by the new commissioner
of pensions as to the former ad-
called up the bill for the admission of Da-
kota, and addressed the Senate in favor Of its
passage. He said that Dakota had 263,
people, and contended that preliminary
"enabling" act by Congress was not neces-
sary before State could be admitted
to the Union. Mr.. Butler asked Mr.. Harri-
son to give the names of the States on whose
cases he relied as precedents for the method
of admission proposed in the case Of Dakota.
Mr.. Harrison replied that the cases were Ten
nessee, Michigan, California, Iowa, Florida,
Arkansas and Oregon; and in turn asked
in what respect the Senator from South
Carolina disputed that Dakota had not come
within the line of the precedents Mr.. But
ler said he would satisfy the Senator from In
diana before the debate was through. With
out further debate the Senate went into e1ecu.
tive session.
TWENTY-sIxTH DAY.-Mr. Sherman intro
duced bill providing for the goyernment'ss
purchase of silver bullion and issuance OF
,ilver certificates against it.. Mr.. lngaus
resolution was agreed to, directing the secre-
sary Of the treasury to inform the Senate as
10 the origin of what is known as the Con
science" fund in the treasury, the amount OF
the same and what disposition is made OF It,
-. Mr. Call made personal explanation
denying that certrin bill introduced by hin,
paper. >. Mr.. ingalls, presented a petition OF
Frederick Douglass and other leading colorea
citizens of the District Of Columbia COM
planning of discrimination against them
at theatres and other places Of public
entertainment, and praying that the license
laws be so amended as to prevent such dls
elimination. The petition was referred.
Mr.. Buffers substitute for the committees
bill admitting Dakota as a State was read;
1t provides that Dakota shall be admitted
when an election shall have been held under this
act and constitution republican in form ls
adopted by the Territory. MIR. Butler SAID
that in the case Of Dakota's attempt to gain
admission recognized forms of law had been
totally brushed aside, and he argued that
Territories had no right to divide them.
selves up at their own pleasure, and &c
as Dakota had done i'll this instance
Mr.. Wilson insisted that the action OF the
people of Dakota was in every sense proper,
peaceful and constitutional. Ut. .. Out of respect
to the memory of the late Representative
Ellwood the Senate then adjourned.