The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1888-01-26
Congress.

Congress.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-SENATE:
Mr.. Voorhees, introduced bills for the
formation and admission Of the
state of Montana. Referred.
Mr.. Hoar called up a motion
made by Mr.. German some time
since to reconsider the vote by which
the Senate had ordered a special
committee of five on the Pacific rail-
road matters.
In the full and extended discus
sion which followed it appeared
that the judiciary committee were
quite satisfied to be relieved of the
labor of considering the subject and
were not at all jealous of the prerog-
ative or precedent that had attach
ed to their having, for several years
previous to this one .the Pacific
railroads debt under consideration.
Neither did the change proposed oc-
cur TO them as being in the nature
of reflection upon them in any
way, while its wisdom appealed to
their best judgment. These were
the opinions OF Mess-s Edmunds,
chairman, Hoar and Vest, while
Messrs Coke and George preferred
that the matter should continue in
charge of tae judiciary committee.
Other senators also participated in
the discussion.
(The resolution was adopted by a
vote of 81 yeas, against Is nays)
Mr. Palmer addressed-the Senate
on the subject of the bill introdu3>
ed by him on the 18th inst. to regu
late immigration. He disclaimed any
intention to prevent any capable,
honest, industrious and law-abid-
ing person from seeking a home on
American soil. The conviction was
growing that the country with its
60,OO00O0 of population and its fit
ty billions dollars of wealth had
passed beyond the need OF immigra-
ton and it was time to go out of the
asylum" business, time to cease to
be dumping ground for vicious de-
linquent human product of other
nations. The object of this bill was
to provide for the exclusion of the
dependent, delinquent and danger
Gus classes through an inspection
and investigation in their own coun
try instead of at the ports of entry,
and to effect this with the least pos
sible hardship or inconvenience to
desirable immigrants.
HOUSE: Mr.. Oates. of Alabama,
from the committee on judiciary re-
ported bill making bills of lad
ing conclusive evidence in certain
cases. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. 'Whitthorne, of Tennessee,
from the committee on naval affairs
reported a bill appropriating $I75,-
600 for the repair of the United
States steamship Hartford. Refer
red to committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Millikin, of Maine, from the
committee on puolic buildings and
grounds, reported bill for the cree
ton of a building i'll Washington
for the use of the signal office, Re
ferred to committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Davis, of Massachusetts,, from
the committee on commerce, report
ed a bill to reward Esquimaux ma
tives for acts of humanity to ship
wrecked seamen. Referred to com-
mittee of the Whole.
The house judiciary committee
to day unanimously approved, and
will report to the house favorably,
the substitute for the bill to amend
the internal revenue laws introduc-
ed by Representative Hendersou, Of
North Caroline. In its present shape
the biz aboIishes all ''minimum per- :
alties for infractioas of the revenue
laws and confers on the courts dis
cretion in the imposition Of punish
ment within the limit fixed by the
statute. It forbids the issue Of a
warrant in such cases upon infor-
nation and belief, except upon afti-
davits made by the collector, or
deputy collector, or revenue agent;
and with this exception no war;
rants are to be issued, except upon
sworn complaint, setting forth facts
as within the personal knowledge of
affiant. The payment of fees for
warrants is forbidden, unless there
be conviction, or prosecution has
been authorized by the United
States attorney, CT unless prosecu-
ton was begun by information or
Indictment. The bill makes all
warrants returnable before the near
est judicial officer, who may make
preliminary examinations and dis
charge, bail or commit to prison the
person arrested.
The circuit courts of the United
States and the district courts are