Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-21
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY
SENATOR VAN wYCK,s SILVER BILL.
WIDOWS PENSIONS IN THE HOUSE.
The Senate.

WiOOWS PENSIONS IN The HOUSE.
The Senate.
The chair laid before the Senate letter from
the Secretary of the Treasury transmitting
suggestions for an improved plan regulating
protests and appeals in customs cases. The
letter was appropriately referred.
Mr.. Hale. from the committee on naval
affairs, reported favorabf5 bill for the relief
of the sufferers by the wreck of the United
States steamer Tallapoosa. The bill was placed
on the calendar.
ANOTHER DAKOTA BILL.
Among the bills introduced was one BY Mr..
Butler, to enable the people of the territory
OF Dakota to form a constitution and state
government. He said it was intended as q sub
stitute for the bill already pending. The new
bill is an enabling act" and applies to the
whole territory, instead of merely to the
southern portion.
1t was referred to the committee on terri
tories.
MR.. VAN wYCK's SILVER BILL.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Van Wyck ITO
prevent the denomination of American coin
by certain persons in the United States"
In introducing this bill Mr.. Van Wyck said
that the Senator from Vermont mr. MorrilD
yesterday remarked that no parties in the
Senate or out OF it were seeking to demonetize
silver But, even now, Mr.. Van Wyck con-
tin9ed-even now, and tor some time, there
on the part OF capital to demon
etize silver and violate the laws and
constitution. Some years ago, national banks
in New York made an attempt to demonetize
by ostracising silver, but as they were the
immediate creatures of the law, they had
shrewdly calculated the hazard OF the venture
Now the edge was to be entered in a different
shape. Capital was arraying itself against the
laws, and the almost universal sentiment and
prosperity OF the people 1t was bold and de-
liberate strike" done with malice afore-
Thought against the interests of the masses and
Severe penalties had been provided against
those who debased our COIN Why should not
adequate punishment be provided for those
but its complete overthrow. Capital, by its
eXtravagant and illegal demands was arousing
the storm that it protested to dread; when it
succeeded, as 1t surely would, in forcing stern
and active protest, it would then appeal tor pro-
lectlon 70 the government, whose laws it had
set at defiance.
The bill enacts that any promissory note
check, draft, bill of exchange or any contract
or agreement requiring the payment of money
which stipulates and requires the payment
thereof to be in gold coin alone, shall be void.
and OF no effect, and that any person. or the
agent or attorney of any person, who shall de-
mana or receive any such note, draft bill of ex-
change, or other contract or agreement requir-
ing the payment OF money in gold coin alone
by a fine OF not less than one-half or more than
the iuli amount mentioned in such promissory
AT Mr.. Van Wycks request the bill was laid
on the table tor the present.
COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of
bills on the calendar. The first bill in order
was one to divide part of the Sioux reservation
in Dakota into separate reservations and to Sc
cure the REIMBURSEMENT of the Indian title to
Inc remainder, which was debated by MeSSrS.
ieiler ana Dawes, and then went over, and the
bill to provide for the counting of the electoral
vote was taken up.
House Of Representatives.
number of executive communications
were laid before the House by the Speaker and
appropriately referred, among them one from
| the Secretary of the Treasury, submitting an
account of the investment of the sinking fund
Of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail-
roads, and recommending such modification
OF the act Of March 9TH, 1873, as will authorize
sinking fund in other than government securl-
ties.
THE WIDOWS PENSION BILL.
No bills of any Importance being reported
| under the call OF committees, the House re-
sumed in the morning hour the consideration
OF the bill to increase the pensions of soldiers
widows.
Mr., Wolford Ky) made an imprisoned
speech In favor OF the bill, and, there was
confusion in the House, the members crowded
around him as he stood in the center aisle to
listen: He advocated the repeal of the arrear-
rate this provision on the pending bill might
quentiy Interrupted ~ Mr. Browne, of Indiana i ma
and the word-lencing between the two gentle.
men was heartily enjoyed by the House.
Mr. Reagan Tex) took the ground that only
soldiers VINO had been disabled in the war or
widows who had been wives of soldiers at the
time the disability had occurred should receive
pensions. In these bills relating to pensions
Justice to soldiers as it was contest for polit.
| cal supremacy-a bid for the votes of the SOL
diers.
Mr.. Funston (Kas.) interrupting: "What right
nave you TO impugn the rights Of members in
Mr.. Reagan declined to yield, and continued
his remarks. He asserted that there were num-
bers of men-he might say thOusands-who
were receiving pensions who had no more right
Mr.. FunstOn-Who are they? Who are they?
.,' Inc gentleman can make his speech when
proceeded with his speech.
District i'm Congress-.
JUDICIAL AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Judiciary subcommittee of the House
District committee, of which Mr. Hemphill is
chairman, had under consideration TODAY the
mechanics lien bill, and Mr.. McComas' bills to
codify the criminal laws Of the District, and to
substitute mortgage system for that of deeds
OF trust. No conclusion was reached and the
committee adjourned to meet again on Satur-
Gay, when en- TIE they viii hear statements by the
authors OF the bills. There are several import
ant bills relating to the judicial affairs OF the
District before the subcommittee and it is con-
templated before acting upon them to REQUEST
the Bar association OF the district to send repre-
sentatives to meet the subcommittee and give
the benefit of their views.
EXTENSION OF VERMONT AVENUE
M Barbour yesterday presented in the House
the petition OF Martha J. Coston, heretofore pre-
sented In the Senate, as stated in THE STAR
asking Congress to authorize and direct the
District commissioners TO cause Vermont ave.
nue. TO be extended from its present northern
terminus to the 7th street road
THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON STREET RAIL-
ROADS,
Senators Ingalls, (chairman), Palmer and Har-
rs constitute the sub-District committee, who
| are to investigate street railroad matters.
No date has yet been fixed by the Senate Dis
trict committee for beginning the investiga-
tion but it is quite certain it will not be started
this week.
ASKING FOR A REFUND.
MI. Edmunds yesterday presented in the Sem
ate petition from f. A. Keyser, a resident OF
the District, setting forth that as the heir of her
father, William B. Todd, she became the owner
Oh lot ., In square S73, which was purchased by
him at tax sale; that -, O35 81 were expended
IN improving the property; her father is
DEAD and she Is deprived of the benefit of the
tax sales and titles because The sales were not
MADE IN accordance with law; that the courts
nave, because of defective sale, decided against
ner, ana she prays the passage OF an act author
izing the Commissioners to refund her the
money paid out in improving the property
with interest. Referred to the District Commits.
aOnerS.
PRAYING RELIEF FROM IMPROVEMENT TAXES
In the Sen ate to-day Mr. Ingalls, presented q
petition from Mrs. Mary Anna Egan, widow of
Capt. James Egan, asking the remission OF &C
cumulated interest on the taxes of nronerfv of