Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-20

polntment of a commission to settle the
private land claims in the territories of
New Mexico and Arizona, and the state of
Colorado. The committee on commerce
reported the bill authorizing the con-
struction of bridge across the
Mississippi river at st. Louis. The
house then went into committee of
the whole, springer in the chair), on the
army appropriation bill. The governor
moved to strike out the appropriation for
the Judge Advocate Generals department.
He said that the department decided
cases without any knowledge of law and
that the system followed by the depart
ment was outrageous. The motion to
strike out was lost, 80 to 90. Pending
further action the committee and house
adjourned
WEDNESDAY, May II.
Sen0te-Sen. Mitchell submitted a con-
current resolution expressing the sense
of congress that negotiations should be
entered into between the United States
and Chinese governments, with view of
securing such notifications of the present
treaty with China as may result in stop
ping the coming of Chinese to this cOun-
try, excepting in the case of diplomates
and their servants, and except also in the
case of persons at sea to seek place of
shelter. Referred to the committee on
foreign relations. The consideration of
the Interstate commerce bill was then re-
sumed The bill having been completed
as in committee of the whole, the cues
ton was on agreeing in the senate to the
amendments agreed to in the committee.
A prOtracted debate arose on the various
amendments, especially the amendments
to the long and short haul clause. Sen
atOr Morgan offered an amendment de-
clarlng the proposed commissioners to be
elective officers merely, and denying them
Legislative and judicial powers. This was
rejected. The bill then came to a vote
and was passed, yeas AZ, nays 4. The
negative votes were those of Messrs.
Brown, Colquitt, Morgan and Ransom.
A number of pairs were announced. The
bankrupt bill was then laid pro forma be-
fore the senate, but Sen. Hoar yielded in
favor of the pension BILL which latter &C
cordingly remains unfinished business for
| two o'clock tomorrow. The senate then
adjourned.
Ho1se-The messages from the presi-
dent were yesterday presented to the SEN
ate and to-day submitted to the house
and referred. In the morning hour Mr..
Belmont called up the Joint resolution pro-
viding indemnity to certain Chinese sub
iecte for losses sustained within the juris-
diction of the United States. The resO-
luton was considered in committee Of the
whole. Mr.. Belmont gave the history of
the Chinese massacre at Rock Springs, w.
T. Messrs. Hit and WorthingtOn Ills
spoke in favor of the bill Pending fur
Their discussion the morning hour expired,
the committee rose, and the house went
into committee of the whole on the army
ID
to increase from 100000 to 100000 the
appropriation for the manufacture of
arms at the Springfield armory. The, mo-
ton was agreed to-86 to 81, and the com
mittee then rose, and the house ad burned.
THURSDAY, May -.
Senate-The bill was passed Great
ing a new Judicial circuit of the
United States Under this bill the
eighth circuit is made to include Nebraska,
Kansas, Arkansas and Colorado. The
ninth, includes Minnesota, Iowa and Mis-
souri,; and the tenth to include California,
Oregon and Nevada. At 3 o'clock the gen
eral pension bill was placed before the SEN
ate. Sen. Blair explained that it was intend
ed to provide for those disabled Union
soldiers of the late war who had found it
difficult or impossible, without their own
fault whether by loss of papers or the
death of witnesses) to prove their cases
under the existing law. The bill, Sen.
Blair said included pensions for depend
ent parents who had lost a son in the ser
vice, but who were not (as required by
the existing law dependent upon the son
at the time of service. He did not think
the number of persons to be added to the
pension roll under this bill would exceed
100000. Sen. Logan didnot think it would
| L. lo1c i,
Der, as it related only TO persons who had
not heretofore been able to get pensions.
Sen. Blair did not believe the amount of
money involved would exceed $25 100000
year. Sen. Vest obtained the floor, and
after an executive session the senate
adjourned.
House-In the morning hour the house in
committee of the whole resumed cOnsidera-
ton of the Chinese indemnity joint resO-
luton. Mr.. Price argued in support of the
| proposition, contending that the obliga-
| tiOn of this government to pay damages
rested not on good will or a spirit of be-
nevolence, but upon international law.
! MI. McCreary thought there was no law
compelling an indemnity to be paid. |
! AS the morning was about to close, the |
committee rose and Mr.. Belmont made an
effort to limit the debate. But pending |
! dCClOu Gue uOuI SA pII6u; UHS IeSO1uIloi
was delegated to its place on the calendar
and the house went into committee of the !
whole on the diplomatic consular appro-
priation bill. The bill charging the powers
and duties of the department of agriculture
was considered in committee of the whole. |
| Mr.. Weaver favored the bill, which |
would give labor an impetus which it has
not yet enjoyed. Labor was organizing |
! for great contest with monopoly, and it |
had right to be heard in every council |
that might pass upon its condition and |
upon the need of power and respect that
must be given it. Pending further dis
cussion the committee arose, and the |
house adjourned.
FRIDAY, May IA.
Senate-Among the petitions presented |
in the senate to-day was one from a dozen
| citizens of Iowa, presented by Senator
Allison, praying for an abolition of the