The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-01-06
FIF1IETH ccNGREss.
Abstract Of the Proceedings OF the
Senate and House..

Abstract Of the Proceedings OF the
Senate and House.
SENATE.
Mr.. Allison In the senate called up the
holiday recess resolution, and moved its
adoption. Mr.. Plumb opposed the ron solu.
tion because he thought that tho proposed
recess was against the public interest. As
long and tedious political debate sprung
ap aftor which the adjournment resolution
Sas coneurrcd in-yeas, IL Republicans
and 20 Democrates: nays, II Republicans
A bill was introduced by Sen
ator Ingalls, TO amend section @ Of
tho act for tho adjustment OF railroad
land grants 80 us to provide that whom
the lands in question have been sold for
state and county taxes and the grant aft.
srwards forfeited, the purchasers Of the land
shall have Tor one year u prior right to pur.
rhas tho lands from the United States at
the government price.
Senator srooner, from the committee on
public buildings md grounds, reported
lie building ut Milwaukee, tho cost OF the
site aud building not to exceed 81 200, 900,
or 81, 100, 900 in case the site Of the pres.
ent building in that city is unused.
Mr.. Spooner Offered u rcsOlution in the
senate, which was adopted. instructins the
committee on privileges and elections to
inquire into the expctlicncy OF the adop.
tion by the senate (for the guidance Of the
executives Of the several statcs) OF q form
OF credentials oi the election OF United
States senators.
Tho senate has passed a bill tho PURPOSE
OF which ia to place tho United States fish
rnmmiSlnn n hoafu
Hitherto, the fish commission has been a
sort OF charity annex to tho Smithsonian
Institution.
Tho house has adopted the main body
OF last years rules with some minor
changes and unimportant additions. The
contest over the new propositions goes
over until after tho holidays. There is
still an additional proposed change. 1t is
that tho printing OF tho Congressional
OF copies OF each public bill to be printed
shall be reduced from 1900 to 500.
Mr.. Randall, from the committee on
rules. submitted partial report, whi:h
recommended the adoption OF tho ralcs OF
tho Forty-ninth congress until further or.
der, with tho following changes: stand
ing committee is established to consist OF
fifteen members to be known us
tho committee on merchant marine
and fisheries. Tho addition Of tho
representation Of delegate on the com.
mittee ON private land claims is recon.
mendcd. Private bills nro to be presented
through the clerk and given proper refer.
ence by that officer. Tho following select
committees arc provided for: On reform,
in the civil service. to consist Of thirteen
members; on election OF president and vice
president and Representatives. in congress- to
consist Of thirteen members; on the eleventh,
census. to consist Of thirteen members: on
Indian depreciation claims. to consist Of
thirteen members; ON the alcoholic liquor
traffic, to consist Of eleven members. Mr..
Randall explained the proposed changes,
which hc stated were, with one exception.
recommended by the unanimous vote oi
the committee on rules. That exception
was the accommodation for tho appoint.
ment OF tho special committee OH the al.
coholic liquor traffic. Reed, Cannon and
himself constituted tho majority OF tho
committee on this question. Tho report
was adopted.
The following special senate committee
to investigate the condition OF the five
civilized Indian tribes hos been appointed:
ueesEss Outl6Cp NAOrGAN, lJlLWe6, cameron
and Teller.
The senate TOOK up the resolution in.
troduccd by Mr.. Dolph proposing con.
stitutional amendment on the subject ol
marriage and divorce, and prohibiting
bigumy and polygnmy. Tho proposed
amendment is in tho following words:
Congress shall have power to lesislate
on the subject OF marriage and divorce by
general laws applicable alike to oil states
and territories; and neither bigmmy nor
polygamy shall exist, or he permitted
within the United States or any place sub.
ect to their jurisdiction.
Mr.. Dolph spoke in support oi the reso.
luton, winch was ordered to lie on the
table
Senator Voorhees, introduced bill to
extend the laws oi the United States, ex.
cept those providing for pre.cmption, tim
ber culture and desert land entries OF the
public lands, over the public land strip,
south Of the Indian Territory. It .rentes
the land district OF Cimarron.
Senator Dolph introduced bill to pro.
vide for TIL, payment OF claims for dam.
ages by Indian dcprcdations. lie said
that there were some 4,5OO sucll claims,
agregating some fourteen or fifteen million
dollars.
The most important modification OF tho
rules adopted by the house, was that which
provides for sending private bills 20 tho
committee without requiring them to be
read by their titles in the hearing OF the