The National tribune., 1888-08-23
CONGRESS.

But little besides the regular routine bust
ness of Congress has been transacted during the
past week, owing TO the lack of a quorum.
Although the Capitol is probably the coolest
building in Washington, the Senators and
Members appear to suffer from the heat, and
but little vim is shown in either House upon
any of the measures which come before them.
WEDNESDAY, AUe Is.
In the Senate, after the morning hour had
expired. during which few private bills were
passed, the fisheries treaty was taken up. Mr..
Morgan ala. }, Mr.. Teller tCol) and Dir. George
Miss occupied the time in the discussion of
that measure. Mr.. Morgan charged the Re-
publiCaus with want of sincerity and patriot
ism in their opposition to the treaty. He de-
clared that the Southerners were never guilty
Of treason, and when the Federal Government
had captured them they were afraid 70 punish
them. They did not dare to hang JEFF Davis,
nor even bring him to trial.
This uettled Mr. Teller. He protested that
the Government was not lenient with the
rebels through cowardiCe, but because it was
believed TO be the best policy. 1t was such talk as
this from the Senator from Alabama that some
times caused Union men to doubt the wisdom
Of their policy. He for one was tired Of having
men who had by the rules of strict justice
forfeited their lives for their crimes against the
Government, parade their loyalty 10 the dis
advantage OF men who had never been traitors.
For one he believed he was just as loyal and
patriotic, at least. as one who had in the past
been q traitor, although by the benefcence of
the North the treason had been cOndoned. He
had always been loyal, and did not like the air
of superior patriotism assumed by ex-traitors.
The Southerners had begun this line of talk,
and he thought it just as well to have their
respective positions clearly enunciated.
Mr.. George, of Mississippi, went intoa an elabo-
rate argument to prove that rebels were not
guilty Of treason, and in fact were high-minded
gentlemen and patriots.
1t was such rubbish that no one deemed il
worthy of response. The Senate adjourned at
6 o'clock p. M.
In the House the Notifications bill was the
order of business, and occupied the entire days
session, and resulted in the understanding that
a vote upon the bill should be taken on Thurs
day morning after the morning hour. The
House adjourned at ) o'clock p. m.
THURSDAY, AUG 16.
In the Senate the fisheries treaty was again
the order Of the day, and vote was taken on
Mr.. Morgan's (Ala.) resolution postponing fur
Their consideration Of the measure until Deem
Der next. The resolution was disagreed to-,
yeas "a nays 81.
4 resolution looking to the payment of white
dcpositors in the Freedman's Savings Bank,
offered by Mr.. Edmunds (Vt.), was taken up
and discussed, but finally went over without
action.
Mr. Allison Gowa) desired action upon the
conference report on the army appropriation
bill he representing the desirability and ne
cessity Of disposing of the appropriation bills in
preference to other matters for which there
was no immediate pressure
The conference report was then taken up,
Mr.. German (Nd.l stating his reasons for not
signing the report and why he should vote
Tbfg or tha MOI
appropriated by the bill for the construction Of
ordnance was placed entirely in the hands Of
officers of the Army, and no opportunity given
for competition by inventors or contractors or
owners of large establishments. He believed
that before this matter was settled he would
offer q resolution for the appointment Of a spe-
cial COMMITTEE to investigate this whole sub
ject, believing it would expose chapter of
incOmpetency and extravaganza and exclusion
OF private enterprise on the part Of the Ord
nance Corps that would only be equaled By the
late disclosures in the Ordnance Department OF
the English Army.
The Conference report was, after consider
able discussion, adopted by a vote of 80 yeas to
II nays
The Senate adjourned at o'clock p. m.
In the House the notifications appropria-
ton bill was passed without division.
Mr.. Morrill, (Kan.), from the Committee on
Invalid Pensions, reported back the following
resolution, with amendments:
Resolucd. That il Is hereby ordered by the House
that BIay and be set aside for the consideration
Of bills and measures reported from the Committee
on Invalid Pensions in such orderRs may be desig
mated by said committee, but not to interfere with
revenue bills appropriation bills, prior orders
and displaced by these or by any cause, the same
days each subsequent week shall be substituted
for those herein named until two days, or mHeh
thereof shall be necessary, are devoted to the
consideration OF measures reported by said COM
mittec.
The amendment was as follows:
| Strike out May 2 aud May 3, and insert Aug. 2!
and Aug 90.
In support of this resolution Mr. Morrill,
| said that in regard to this subject of pensions
more bills had been introduced aud referred tC
| the Committee on Pensions than to any other
committee OF the House. One hundred and
| ninety general pension bills have been intro
! duced aud referred to that committee, and
! some 30 or 40 Senate bills Of q similar nature
| have also been thus referred. These bills in
/ cuded one which had passed the other day ia
creasing the pension for deafness, and q bill
| providing for those who are now dependent
which was passed by the Senate and was re
| ferred to the Pension Committee There wa
also q bill equalizing the pensions of thos'
| totally disabled, which received the same refer
ence, and which had passed the Senate Al
! the law now stands certain class of pensiOner
who formerly received $50 per month now re
| ceive S72, while another class equally disabled
are still receiving only $50.
! Another bill provides for pensiOuing prison
ers of war, without their having 20 prov
| (which is impossible) that their disability wa