The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

r.
Resolved, That the sessions OF the sen
ate commonly known as executive ses-
sions. SO far as they apply to nominations.
combinations or reiections, shall hereafter
be held with open doors, and that public
record OF the same shall be kept the same
as Of legislative sessions.
The resolution was ordered printed and
to lie over.
A letter was read from Secretary Man
ming, declining by direction OF the presi-
dent to furnish papers as called for by the
toms officers-Welh, collector for the Yer
mont district, and Morton. surveyor for
the California district. The papers in these
two cases were asked for about two months
ago. 1t is apparent that the feeling in the
senate in favor OF open sessions when con-
sidering executive nominations, 10 making
progress.
The bill to increase the efficiency OF the
army increasing it to SO, 900 men was de-
bated The discussion on the judiciary
committeo's resolutions concerning re-
movals from office was resumed.
HousE.-The bill granting an annual pen
sion of $4,000 to Gen. Hancocks widow
passed. Bills were introduced to create q
labor strike arbitration commission: pro-
hibiting polygarny; to reduce the salaries
Of all public officials which have been in
creased by congress since 1860; for the
issue OF United States cein notes; to define
the unit OF value and regulate coins; for the
appointment Of none but soldiers de-
scendants to the West Point military
academy.
Quite sensation was produced in the
house when the chaplain devoted his open.
ing prayer to an invocation to God to rid
the land OF gamesters, whether in billiards,
dice, chips, stocks, wheat, bucket-shops or
boards OF trade, and to lead the people to
know that money making other than by
the sweat OF the lace, was contrary to his
laws. The prayer was ordered to be in
serted in the record.
SENATE.-Ths house bill granting a pom
sion OF $4,000 to Gen. Hancock's widow
passed Mr. Ingalls, resolution OF inquiry,
was agreed to, asking whether the post
master general had received the senate res-
olution calling for information az to the
number of fourth-class postm asters re-
moved under the present administration.
Senator SewaIl, from the committee on
pensions, reported bill to increase to 81
per month the pension OF minor children
and widows having minor children, and to
extend the period OF minority to eighteen
years.
The bill passed to confirm public Land
entries hitherto made in accordance with
land office rulings in force at the time. Mr..
Logan introduced bill for the abolish
ment OF the offices OF general and lieuten-
ant general when the next vacancies occur
therein. The bill to increase the efficiency
of the army was considered and the de-
bate on the judiciary committees resolu-
tions was resumed.
HousE.-After numerous bills had been
reported from committees the Fourth Of
-. LII I~Is
preparation bill was debated.
SENArE.-The Logan bill to increase the
efficiency OF the army was placed before the
senate. Mr.. Logan explained that under
the %. 900 regulation there were but "a ).
626 effective men IN the army. and under
the proposed increase to 80, 600 there ould
probably, owing to casualties, ETC., be onl :
about 900 effective men.
The resolutions reported from the Judi
ciary committee were placed before the sem
ate.
Mr. Morgan addressed the senate in op-
position to the ma jority report.
Mr. Mitchell (Or.) concurred in the report
OF the majority OF the committee in SO lar
as it asserted that it was the duty OF ex-
ecutive officers to furnish, when called up
on by the senate, papers relating to the
administration OF an office by a suspended
official.
HousE.-Mr Anderson asked unanimous
consent that an order be made allowing
the committee on labor to report for ac-
ton at any time mot to interfere with
revenue or appropriation bills) legislation
for the purpose OF providing for arbitra-
ton in strikes on railroads. There was no
objection and the order was made.
The Indian appropriation bill passed,
and the postofice bill was debated. Mr..
Burrows assailed the policy and action Of
the postmaster general.
SENArE.-On motion of Mr.. Sabin. tho
senate passed bill to authorize the Mis-
of Brainerd, Mimi, to construct a dam
across the Mississippi river at or near
Brainerd.
In moving an amendment, Mr.. Edmunds
said that people who expended their money
in things of this sort should know that il
congress should hereafter decide to alter
or repeal the act no claim could be main.
tanned against congress for any moneys in
vested.
The debate on the judiciary committed
resolutions continued. Mr.Voorhees spoke
against and Mr.. Evarts in support OF the
resolutions.
Among the nominations confirmed by the
senate in exutive session were r. Leteher
of Missouri, consul Rio Grande de Sui, and
Roswell A. Fish OF California, assistant reg.
lister of the treasury; also several army ap.
roiutments. The nominations OF Second
Lieutenants John F. McBlair and Richard
III. Wilson, to be first Geutenants, were re.
jected.
HousE.-The consideration of the post.
office appropriation bill was resumed, the
policy OF the postmaster general forming
the chief point OF discussion. An evening
session was held, at which tributes were
paid to the memory OF the late Congress
man Rankin OF Wisconsin.
SENATE.-Among the bills introduced
was one by Mr.. Hoar providing for in
quests under national authority. Mr..
Hoar said:
The bill was suggested by reports OF re-
cent occurrences at Carrollton, Miss,
where wanton and unprovoked crime
had been committed, resulting in the death
OF large number OF citizens, in which
all the victims were of one race, and
he presumed OF one political party
and all the murderers OF anoth
er. Such occurrences unfortunately
had been frequent, but when inves
tigated were apt to take political turn
Persons defending or apologizing for them
said they had no political significance
Still, the fact remained that it was the op
ponents OF the Democratic party that
were killed, and that adherents OF that
party were the murderers. This bill was
to supply a method Of inquiry, which
would be removed from politics.
1t was re ferred to the judiciary committee
The EdmunGs resolutions on the rights Of
the senate in the matter of removals or
suspensions from Office was discussed al
length.
The question was then on Mr.. Var
Wyck's amendment, providing that Sin al
such cases OF removals the matter OF con
frmations shall considered in open session
Of the senate"
Mr.. Hoar raised the point that the
amendment was not in order, inasmuch ae
it had changed the rules of the senate, and
no notice had been given of it.
The president pro tempore sustained the
point Of order, and an appeal taken by
Mr.. Butler was laid on the table-yeas, 81;
nays %. This was strict party vote ex.
cept that Messrs. Van Wyck and Riddle
berger voted with the Democrats.
Mr.. Harris having demanded q separate
vote upon the Edmunds resolutions, the
first resolution adopting the report Of the
committee on the judiciary was adopted
yeas 80, nays &c. The second resolution
condemning the refusal OF the attorney gen.
eral to send copies OF papers called for by
the senate was acknowledgements 80 NAYS 26.