The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-08-11
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS
Senate Sessions.

152D DAY.-Mr. Edmuuds offered reso-
luton, which went over day, instructing
the Committee on Foreign Relations to in
quire into the rights Of American fishing and
merchant vessels within the North American
possessions Of the Queen Of Great Britain and
whether any rights Of such vessels have been
violated, and if 60, to what extent; to report
the circumstances and whsther any and what
steps are necessary to be taken by Congress
to protect and vindi. ate the rights Of Ameri-
can citizens in the premises, with power to
send for persons and papers. Mr.. Call
argued against and Mr.. Hawley in
favor of Investigating the Payne cleo
He argued that the Senate had no right to
make the investigation in the absence Of
any charges against the sitting member.
The first vote was on the resolutions of
Messrs. Hoar and Frye for further investiga-
tion, and it was rejected-yeas. II: nays, A.
The res solutions Of the majority that there
should be no further investigation were
Gratis and the following. Republicans voted
against investigations: Messrs. Camerson,
Chace, Cullom, Evarts. Ingalls,, Jones Of
Nevada, Logan; Miller, Plumb, Riddfeber-
ger, Sawyer, Sewell, Stanford, Teller andVan
Wyck.
i53D DAY.-The resolution offered on the
previous day by Mr.. Ednunds instructing
the Committee on Foreign Relations to in
quire into the violation Of rights Of Ameri-
can fishing and merchant vessels in Cana
dian waters was adopted. %. The Sundry
! Civil bill was proceeded with, the pending
clause being the one requiring the Secretary
of the Treasury to issue silver certificates or
small bills. Mr.. Beck tried a substitute re-
Quiring that national notes shall not be of a
less denomination than $40 and that the
issues for them shall b coin certificates.
faA IQcyiciQ-
tion. The arienfment striking out ths
words "and shall be redeemable in standard
silver dollars" was agreed to, 25 to -. On
motion of Mr.. Vest an item appropriating
S25, ,0]0 for the salaries and expenses Of the
Missouri River Commission was inserted:
and, ON motion Of MI. Gibson, an item Of
| 500, 600 was inserted for the Mississippi River
Commission.
18th DAY.-The bill to increase the naval
establishment was refe red to the Committee
on Naval Affairs The Fortifications bill
was reported with amendments. :. .Consid-
GRAFTON Of the Deficiency Appropriation
bill was resumed, and after various
items were aided it was passed: :...
The Senate then went into se:ret session.
The greater part of the secret session was
consumed by Senators VOORHEES, and Harri-
son, sreaking respectively for and against
| the confirmation of Collector Thomas Han
lon, Of the Seventeenth Indiana In
ternal Revenue District, adversely re-
ported from the Finance Committee.
The charges against Hanlon were immor-
ality and incompetency. In re.utation Mr..
prominent Republicans of Indiana certify
ing to lis good character and competency.
Final action was postponed. A large num-
| ber Of nominations were confirmed.
! 155TH DAY.-Mr. Allison. from the Com
mittee on Finance, reported back the House
joint resolution directing payment OF the
| surplus in the Treasury on the public debt
| of bonds shall be made under the terms OF the
resolution until a sum g ,ual to the call is i'll
the Treasury in addition to the 500, ,OOO, ,OO0
surplus; that the Secretary Of the Treasury
may also, in bis discretion, keep in the Treas.
ury working balance Of not more than
S2O, 1000, 900 in add to the surplus, aud
! that in case of any ext aorjinary emergency
he may suspend tae Operation OF the resolu-
tion for such period as may be necessary to
maintain the public credit unimpaired.
Executive session.
156TH DAY.-The Senate resolved to insist
upon its amendments to the River and Harbor
bill, and new Conference Committee was
appointed After discussion the Fortifca.
tion Appropriation bill was passed with au
amendment adding 5000, O00 for the manu-
tuCIui . VI sleei : uuS oL nedVy CailuTe MT.
Cameron reported from the Committee on
Naval Affairs bill to increase the naval es.
Enlistment. -. The surplus joint resolution
was taken up without action.
18TH DAY-The Senate began the consid.
Grafton Of the House joint resolution to ap.
ply the surplus in the Treasury to the pay
ment of the public debt. Messrs. Allison,
M:Pherson aud Sherman opposed the reso-
| luton, and Messrs. Beck, Plumb, Teller and
Jones spoke in its favor.