The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-24
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS-,
Senate Sessions.

OOMMdlll VI CUNUnEEC'
Senate Sessions.
. TH1RTY-sEcoNB DAY.-The bill to provide
for the admission of South Dakota was
passed, after debate in which Messrs. But
Ter, Logan and Harrison were the chief par
ticipants, by 81 ayes to % nays-a strict party
Of Indiana, who voted with the Republicans
MIR. Dawes resolution calling UPON. the
interior department for all information in its
possession relating to the performance of the
duty of Henry Ward, while Indian inspector,
was agreed to without debate -. Mr.. Payne
presented the credentials of reelection Of
Senator Sherman, which were read and filed.
THIRTY-THlkD DAY.-A long debate oc-
cured on resolution of Mr.. Eustis, who COM
what it ought to circulate silver dollars The
reply of Mr. German was that the sub-treas-
uries do all they can, with the force they
have; that the government is put to extraor-
dinary and absurd expense for purposes
which it was never designed for, and
that, as matter of fact, this administration
has used greater efforts to keep silver in cir
culation than its predecessors. Speaking on
the Eustis resolution, Mr.. Sherman remarked
that Washington once complained because
the Senate did not ask for his reasons for
terTupted to say that Washington did not do
so. Mr.. Sherman repeated his assertion Of
the Senates right to have all papers on the
government files. and Mr. Salisbury again
broke in to say that the tenure Of office act
vested the matter of suspensions during vaca-
ton entirely in the discretion Of the Presi-
dent, and that the Senate had moth
ing whatever to do with it. Mr..
Sherman explained that he did not
claim the Senate could exercise any power
over the Presidents discretion; but, he as
serted, the President must not prevent the
Senate from having the same information
that he had when he made nomination.
He had no right to withhold any paper
whatever from the Senate, unless per-
haps secret, confidential communica-
tions to him, and if there were any such they
ought to 60 into the waste basket instead Of
on file. Mr.. Sherman elaborated this idea
until Mr.. Pugh interrupted with an objection
to the dragging in Of such q! 3 subject when
Then Mr.. Pugh himself took up the subject
long enough to argue that, under the Con-
stitution, the Senate could only call for
public documents in reference to legisla-
ton, and could not demand information
from the President concerning matters
belonging exclusively to the President
The character of the papers on file
determined the right of the Senate to have
them and the President could determine their
character Mr.. Sherman was surprised at
this argument and declared that never until
the present administration had it been asserted
that head Of department could determine
the character of papers on the public files.
The debate was continued in this strain until
adjournment.
THIRTY-FoURTHD DAY.-Among the billsin-
troduced was one by Mr.. Allison to make
full legal tender money interchangeable at
the treasury or at the sub-treasury in the
city Of New York; also one by Mr.. Beck
to provide for the issue of coin certifcates....
Mr.. Plumb's resolution calling on the Sec
retary of state for reasons for the depression
in prices in cereals and cotton, contributed by
the United States to foreign countries, was
agreed to After further routine business,
the bills providing for the erection Of public
buildings were passed Mr.. Blair took
the floor on the educational bill and
said that the bill would appropriate for
the first year $7,O00,OO0: for the second,
$4,000, 900; the third, sis, ,00O,0 900; fourth,
S13,000,000; fifth. 81 ,0O0, 900; sixth, $780,
600; seventh, $1,000, 900, and eighth, $5,o0e,-
000 The money was to be divided among
the States and Territories in that proportion
State and Territory being over ten years OF
age, and being unable to read or
write, bears to the whole number of such per-
sons in the United States. T.. The bill provid
ing for the appointment Of an assistant Sec
retary Of the navy was discussed without
action
TH1RTY-F1FTH DAY.-Mr. Hale, from the
committee On naval affairs, reported with
favorable recommendation bill authorizing
the secretary of the navy to fit out an expe-
dition to observe the total eclipse Of the sun
On August %, 1886. Mr.. Dolph sub
mitted an amendment to Mr.. Sher-
mans silver bill, proposing to keep the
amount of coin certificates outstanding equal
to the value of the bullion held as security for
the certificates. Mr. Eustis' resolution on
the subject Of the alleged refusal of the New
Orleans sub-treasurer to issue silver certif-
Gates for deposits of silver came up, and q
prolonged discussion of the silver question
followed. .. At the close Of the discussion the
Senate went into executive session, and the
adjournment followed
THIRTY-s1xTH DAY-Mr Teller submitted
an amendment to the Eustis resolution re-
garding the refusal of the assistant treasurer
at New Orleans to issue silver certificates in
exchange for silver dollars. The amendment
directs inquiry into the alleged loss Of money
in the New Orleans sub-treasury, ,and whether
such loss occurred in connection with the
exchange of silver certificates for coin. ;. ..
Mr.. Mitchell, of Oregon. introduced bill
repeating all treaties permitting the coming
of Chinese to the United States except in the
case of diplomatic and official personages. 90.
The bill to regulate the promotion OF West
Point graduates was passed. mir. Morgan
opposed the educational bill until 4:4O P. NJ,
when the Senate went into executive session.