The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-16
WASHINGTON
RUSH OF BUSINESS I'm THE
SENATE-A NUMBER OF
BILLS PASSED.
Recoining and Retirement of the
Trade Dollar The Sundry
Civil Bill.
CONGRESSIONAL.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, December H.--Petitions for re-
duction in tax on uleomargarine were presented by
Messrs. Conger, Cullom, Ingalls,, Chase, Mitchell,
(oregon), and Hoar, and referred to the committee
ON agriculture.
Mr. Butler offered preamble and resolution re-
citing the close proximity of Mexico and the
United States, and the disability ot maintaining
the closest Mes of friendship between the two
countries, and providing for the appointment of q
select committee of five senators TO visit places
along the frontier anu City of Mexico with APP
proval of the Mexican government) TO inquire into
and report upon any disturbances that may have
occurred between citizens of the two countries,
with power to send for persons and papers, and to
employ stenographer and such other persons as
may be necessary, and TO cit during the recess Of
congress. Laid ON the table and ordered printed
On motion of Mr.. Miller, and after brief state
ment by him, the senate took up and passed with
out discussion and without revision, the bill for
the retirement and recoinage of the trade dollar.
On motion OF MIR. Conger, the house bill to ex-
tend the free delivery system of the postofice de-
partment (passed by the house en- the 9th instantly
was taken up and passed
The bill (passed by the bouse on the 9th instantly
authorizing the employment of mali messengers
in the postal service, was taken up, amended and
passed, and a conference was asked
Mr. Aldrich introduced bill to provide for the
reduction of interest the bonded debt of the
United States Referred. Ii authorizes the sec
rotary of the treasury to receive four and four
and half per cent bonds, and to issue In ex-
change for them two and half per cent bonds,
PAYABLE In 1897, but not to be subject to be called
In and paid so long as other hi her interest bonds
are outstanding, the two and half per cent bonds
to be available as deposits for bank circulation.
Mr.. Blair moved to take up the bill re-
june, from tie commissioners on pensions to give
the right of trial by Jury to pension clai -iants
whose applications have been rejected. lie made
a statement in support of his motion. and after u
brief discussion, ON motion of Mr.. Hoar, the Bill
was re-committed
Bills authorizing the construction of bridge
across the Cumberland river, near Nashville, and
across the Mississippi river at Memphis Tenn,
were reported from the committee ON commerce
and passes.
The senate then took up unfinished business of
yesterday, being the bill to repeal the tenure of of
flee act with out fu Their discussion the bill was
passed Yeas, 30 nays, %.
The senate then took up the special order, being
a bill to prohibit members of congress from act
ing as attorneys for subsidized railroads, but as
Mr.. Evarts had requested II should not be acted
upon in his absence, il was laid aside
After a statement from Mr.. Edmunds, defending
himself from the charge Of bad faith made by Mr..
Beck, and stating that In committee no had favored
the reporting back of Becks bill adversely; after
executive session the senate adjourned until Mon
day.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, December l7.-On motion of Mr.
Cannon, of Illinois, resolution was adapted in
structing the committee on appropriation to In.
quire into the recommendation of the secretary Of
the interior for the consolidation of certain of the
officers of the surveyor general and making IL the
order to propose reduction of expenditures by
the abolition or consolidation Of any of these
offices on the appropriation bill
Private business being In order, the bill for ad
justment of accounts of the McMinnville g. Man
chester railway company came up as unfinished
business. -
Mr. Gedies, of Ohio, moved to recommit to
the committee on war claims. Lost-Yeas 100,
nays 49, The hill was passed-Yeas M, nays li6,
and motion to table the motion to consider was
agreed to by exactly the same vote. The bill d.
| reefs the quartermaster general IL
| settle and adjust claims of the McMinnyille u
Manchester railroad company against the U. g., for
| property takeu by the army In 1855: and further
directs that in such settlements $246,8Bs shall be
allowed the company, lsss the amount due 20 the
| United States by tina railroad company. which IL
evidenced by Judgment In the United States circuit
court at Nashville, Tenn.
The senate bill passed increasing the pension OF
Gen. BENZ r. Kelly, OF West Virginia, 10 500 per
month. The house then took recess until 7:0 this
evening, the session to be Tor the consideration
pension bills.
Mr.. Belmet, of New York, introduced bill.
which was referred to the committee on foreign
affairs, to provide for commission TO inquire into
losses to the fisheries.
The house then resumed consideration OF the
sundry civil appropriation bill and shortly after
passed II.