Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-22
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
TIE BOUTELLE RESOLUTION.
A LIVELY TINE IN THE HOUSE.
House OF Representatives.

heTDeIt kA18.), from the COmm1ttee on
naval affairs, reported back the Boutele resolu-
tion calling on the Secretary of the Navy for in
formation relative to the alleged erasures of
certain inscriptions, and the dismissal of Union
soldiers at the Norfolk navy yard with an
amendment extending the inquiry to dismis-
Norfolk during the m sns Of the
immediate predecessors of the present Secretary
ME- Herbert, stating that the resolution was
substantially the same that originally Of
fered by Mr.. Boutelle, except that it was some
what broader, demanded the previous ques-
ton.
The republicans resisted this, but on divi-
SIGN were outvoted-s7 to Sd.
cans RETAINED from voting, and upon the
nouncement OF the result, III to z, Mr.. Perkins,
Of Kansas, raised the point Of order that no
at is evident" then said Mr. Herbert, "that
gentlemen do not want their own interrOgato-
plause On the democratic side.l
Mr: Bontelle. II may do so, object to the
Mr.. Reed, of Maine. The report is being acted
upon and cannot be withdrawn.
The Speaker held that as the report was
could not be withdrawn without leave OF the
House. Applause ON the republican side.
Mr. Reed:-l suggest that the gentleman from
Alabama allow amendments to be offered by
my colleague
Mr.. Herbeft.-I have no instructions to allow
MIR: Reed.-The gentleman can allow amend
ments TO be offered.
Mr.. Herbert.-I decline to allow any to be
oHered. Ihe resolution embOdies substantially
all the inquiries in the original resolution and
l move a call OF the House.
| had stated that the committee had instructed
him to call the previous question.
NJ Mr h Ror,es made no such statement
Mr.. Herbert-I made no such statement.
The republicans opposed the motion for a call
OF the House, but it was ordered by a vote of
yeas 153, nays 123.
THE CALL OF THE HOUSE.
The call disclosed the presence of 296 MEM
bers, there being but % absentees, and ON mo-
ton OF Mr.. Herbert, a resolution was adopted
directing direct the sergeant,at-arms to arrest and
bring to the bar of the House such members as
were absent without leave
Immediately Mr.. Reid moved that all further
proceedings under the call be dispensed with.
an unusually full attendance of members. The
sole question which now existed was a question
OF the liberty OF debate. No unreasonable time
was asked for by the minority. 1t could not be
that gentlemen on the other side, with q ma
lority OF forty, were DESTROYS OF suppressing de-
bate from fear Of any consequences. No harm
ever came i'll a free country from tree discus
sion OF a legitimate proposition.
Capitol Topics.
p. THE OPPOSITION TO JUDGE POWERS
The SenatejudiciarycOm yesterday gave
consideration to the case of Nv. Powers NOM
mated for associate justice of the supreme
court of Utah. Considerable opposition has
been presented to the confirmation OF Judge
Powers, and charges and allegations impeach-
Ing his fitness for the position have been filed
with the committee The friends OF Powers de-
clare that the opposition to him comes from the
MOrmonS, who do net want him on the bench.
The opposition deny this. The committee have
not reached any conclusion upon the case.
EXTENSION OF NATIONAL BANK CIRCULATION.
The House committee on banking and cur
rency yesterday considered the bill introduced
by Mr.. Wilkins, and generally known as the
Mcpherson bill OF ia It session, and after pro-
longed discussions agreed to report it favorably
to the House, by vote of to 4. The bill pro-
vides that any national bank shall be entitled
to receive from the controller Of the currency
value OF their bonds deposited to secure circuia-
ton. AT no time, however, shall the total
amount OF such circulating notes exceed the
actual paid-in capital of such national bank
association A minority report will be made
by Chairman Miller, Messrs. Snyder, Wood
burn and Brumm.
The committee has determined to hear a del
egatlon from the Knights of Labor next Thurs
day, upon financial measure they propose tor
introduction Ill Congress.
CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE SENATE
The Senate yesterday confirmed the nominal
tions OF Chas. D. Jacob to be minister to the
United States of Columbia; Lambert Tree, min
lister to Belgium; Boyd Winchester, minister to
switzerland; Edward II. Strobel, secretary of
legation at Madrid; and a number OF Western
pOstmaSters.
THE SENATE DEBATE ON THE ELECTORAL
COUNT BILL.
In q speech in the Senate yesterday on the
question OF providing by law a specific method
for counting the electoral vote, Senator Sher.
man declared himself in favor of settling all
controversies over cl ctoral returns by Il major
ity vote in the joint assembly, consisting of the
two houses OF Congress. Senator EdmundS antae-
onized Mr.. Sherman's plan, declaring that it
would deprive the Senate of its organic capac-
ity, and really let the House swallow up the
Senate. Mr.. Evarts favored the Sherman
amendments.
RAILROAD SINKING FUND INVESTMENTS.
A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury to the Speaker of the House in REFER
ence to the sinking fund created in the Treasury
for the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail-
road companies by the act of May Y 1878
So. O52,34O in the case of the Union Pacific,
and S3,177,566 in the other. Under the law
the Secretary is bound to invest in government
securities, and, by preference, in five per cent
bonds. There are no five per cent bonds now,
and the Secretary applies to Congress to be al
for Investment, as he can do better elsewhere
The Senate was not i'll session to-day.
Mr.. Chace yesterday introduced In the Senate
bill amending the present copyright laws by
placing foreign citizens and authors upon an
equal footing with citizens OF the United
States.
II. Conquest Clark has been appointed clerk
to the House committee on foreign affairs.
Alexandria Affairs.
Reported for The EVENING STAR
CITIZENS MEETING.-A meeting of citizens
OF Alexandria was held at the Commercial Ex-
change building, on King and Union streets
this morning, at 10 O'Clock, to consider and