The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
what Both Houses of Congress Have Been
Doing During the Past Week.

We closed orr last report last Tuesday morning.
On that day in the Senate crowded galleries lis
tened to eulogies on the late Vice President Hen
bricks. Senator VOORHEES, spoke at length, and
was followed by Senators Hampton, Sherman,
salisbury, Eyarts, Ransom, Spooner Vest and
Harrison. No business was transacted. In the
House, under call OF States many bills and resolu-
tons were introduced, among them bill by Mr..
O'Neill OF Missouri, TO reOrganize the steamboat
inspection service; by Mr.. Townshend, OF Illinois
bill to limit Jurisdiction OF United States courts
in patent cases. The bin for the retirement OF
certain naval officers was called up, but without
action.
In the Senate on Wednesday several resolutions
were offered and bills referred after which Sena-
tor Harrison's substitute for his original resOlu-
ton of inquiry to the administration OF the
Senate then took up the bin divide part OF the
Sioux Reservation in Dakota. After some debate
it went over Mr.. Harrison called up hls bill tor
the admission of Dakota, and spoke on it. In the
House. the Senate resolutions touching the death
OF Vice President Hendricks were presented and
laid upon the table until Tuesday.
The Norfolk Navy-yard controversy was
attempted by BOutelle, OF Maine,
out he was ruled out of order. A bin to aid in
the erection OF monument TO General Grant in
New York City reported from the Committee
on Military Affairs. The House resumed the con-
sideratiOn OF the bill for the voluntary retirement
of certain naval officers. Mr.. Payson called ND a
bill to forfeit certain land grants in Alabama
mississippi and Louisiana, with an amendment
excepting the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad
lands. This amendment was rejected. The bill
was finally passed, with an amendment throwing
the lands forfeited open to settlement under the
Homestead law.
In the Senate Thursday. Mr.. Morrill, offered a
resolution setting apart sites in Washington for
statutes OF Columbus and Lafayette. AresolutiOn
was adopted directing the Secretary the Treasury
to give the origin and amount OF the conscience
fund. A bill was introduced to grant right of way
through Indian Territory TO the Kansas City. Fort
Scott ana Gulf Railway. Mr.. ingalls, presented ~
petition By Frederick Douglass and other colored
citizens of Washington, complaining OF discrim-
inatlons AT the theaters ana otner puDIIc places
Mr.. Dawes made n favorable report on a bill for
the allotment OF lands in seYeralty to In
dams, and TO extend the protection of the
laws over the red man. Mr.. Sherman introduced
bill TO discontinue the coinage 81 the silver dol
lar, and to issue coin certificates Or silver ulliOn
purchased by the Secretary OF the Treasury.
the organization of the Territory of OklOhama,
and to allOt homesteadS TO Indians A bill au-
thorizing the President to restore officers to the
cially 10 FitZ john Porter was reported faYorably
by Mr. Wheeler EulOgies on the career OF the
late Representative Reuben Ellwood, OF IllirDis,
In the Senate Friday the credentials OF Hon. y.
George, United states Senator from Mississippi,
were read and filed. n bill Was passed removing
the political disabilities Of George :. Storrs. Of
Texas. Mr.. Call denounced she charge of GER
tain claim agent interested il q claim made ljy
the State OF Florida. which proposed to deduct
$4,000 ont OF a cash award of $4,000. Mr. Plat
submitted resolution TO cOnsioer excessive nom-
mittee on Rules. A number of resolutions gore
introduced. The bin to divide tire Sioux
Reservation in Dakota Vas discussed
until the expiration of the morning hour,
when the Dakota state bill was taken up.
Mr.. Vest spoke at length an opposition. Mr.. I.o-
gan took the floor, bur gave way 10 Mr. DeAges for
a motion to adjourn until Monday. In the House
a few private bills reported. At I2:20 the
House went into Committee OF the Whole on the
private calendar. The Fourth Of July claims
was the first bill. 1t was laid aside for favorable
report, and cotton claim next taken up This
was amended to prevent Payment II the claimant
was disloyal. The committee then reported the
bill, referring the claim to the Coart OF Claims
Tor adjudication. The two bills were passed.
In the Senate, on Monday, Mr.. Hears amend
ment to the Electoral Court bill was debated at
length without reaching any conclusion. The
bill providing for the division OF part Of the sioux
reservation in Dakota, and the REIMBURSEMENT of
the Indians title to the remainder was passed. In
the House many new bills were introduced. is
the case every Monday, and sanction to. suspend
the rules and put upon its pasSagethe bin in
creasing the pensions of soldiers widows was
agreed to, and the bin passed, which win carry
much Joy into the homes OF many soldiers
widows.