Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-21

in January. He said that all the features OF the
ORIGINAL bill requiring government guarantee OF
the snip railway bonds or In any manner involving
responsibility for this government had been elimi-
naied and he wanted TO get action on the bill at
this session.
CONTRIBUTIONS By THE SENATE.
The Senate has confirmed the following nomina-
tions: Abner B. Williams, OF Arkansas, to be a
member Of the Utah commission; Daniel j. Cam
pau, 10 be collector OF customs at Detroit, Mich.
Also several pOstmasters.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MILITIA
was to have met to-day to consider the bill to
amend the law relating to the organization OF the
militia Of the District Of Columbia. owing to
Otner important work, a number OF members OF
the committee were unable to attend and quo.
run cotye not be secured. Those who We're pres
ent it folly to attempt to do anything with
the measure during the present Congress, In the
race or hetcrowded calendars and extraordinary
pressure which Is being brought to bear upon the
tlme OF the House In consequence thereof.
SILVER COINAGE.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Findlay, of Maryland
to prescribe the weight Of silver coin, &c. amends
the statutes SO as to provide that the silver hall
dollar shall contain 2O8h grains the quarter 1O3,s
grams ana tne dime ~ grains OF standard silver
where otherwise expressly stipulated in the con-
tract and certificates Shall be issued upon deposits
OF The half dollar upon sums OF SO or multiples
thereof. The quarter and dime are made legal
tenders to the amount of $40, and may be redeemed
upon demand in sums Of not less than $50. The
coined under the provisions OF this act as rapidly
as the public convenience Will permit.
FEES FOR PASSPORTS.
The Senate committee on finance to-day ordered
favorable report on the bill to reduce the fees
for passports from S. to 81.
THE DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION BILL.
Assistant Secretary Porter, Of the Department ol
state, to-day appeared before the House commit.
tee on foreign affairs to suggest certain changes
minor Importance in the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill before its submission to the
House.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Tne House ways and means committee met to
day and reported the holiday recess resolution
introduced by Mr.. Morrison yesterday The tariff
question was not referred to. except that Mr.
Hewitt, who Is anxious that the administrative
bill should be cut loose from Mr.. Morrtson's bill
informed the committee that he would lay before
them the Dill changed so as to include features
recommended by the Secretary OF the Treasury
up: 1t is probable that this bill will finally get
before the House in an Independent form. When
1t Is once under consideration all sorts Of tarin
legislation may be tackled on 1t by way OF amend.
ment. Mr.. Hewttt's bill to reduce the interest on
government bonds to three per cent by prepayine
all In excess thereof came up also, and was refer
red to subcommittee after some discussion. An
adverse report of the subcommittee upon the bill
to allow goods to enter Eastport, Maine, free OF
duty, was discussed, but no action was taken
| upon it.
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Messrs Herbert, Sayers and Thomas have been
designated as subcommittee OF the House com
mtttee on naval affairs to sit during the recess and
prepare the naval appropriation bill.
NOTES.
Mr.. Ryan yesterday introduced bill in the
House appropriating s1OO 900 for the erection OF
monument to the negro soldiers and sailors OF the
war.
Mr. Taulbee offered a resolution in the House
yesterday calling upon the Secretary OF the Treas
ury for information as to the number OF substitute
employees In the Treasury, and inquiring whether
at lower rate OF salary than they {the principals
receive.