Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-31
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
AGAINST SECRET SESSIONS.
Mr.. Riddleberger's Resolutions.
REPORTS FROM HOUSE COMMITTEES.
The Reading Strike Resolutions, Etc
The Senate

In the United STATES lFr0m the yearly meetlng OF
the Society Of Friends, Baltimore.}
Among the bills reported from committees and
placed on the calendar were the following:
10 provide for warehousing fruit brandy; touch
ing the grade OF commanders in the Navy.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Among the bills introduced and referred were
the following:
marine hospital service. By Mr.. Evarts-For the
erection OF gun factory al the Watervlet Arsenal,
New York. BY Mr.. Stewart-To establish United
private land Claims; also to enforce restriction on
Chinese immigration. By MIR. Mftchefl-TO permit
miners and mining companies to prospect and de-
on certain terms and conditions. By Mr.. Riddle
berger-Regulating the sale OF distilled and fer
mented liquors in the District Of Columbia,
adopted, calling on the Secretary Of the Interior
for Information as to the sale OF the lands OF the
Omaha reservation.
Mr.. RIDDLEBERGEB MOVES TO CONSIDER TREATIES IN
OPEN SESSION OF THE SENATE.
MI. Riddleberger offered resolution that the
treaty between this Government and that Of
Great Britain, now before the Senate In executive
session, be considered in open session, and asked
for Its immediate consideration.
Mr.. Edmunds objected, on the ground that the
resolution was one to be considered In executive
session.
MI. Riddleberger said he had another resolution
to Oner on the same subject, which he knew had
to go over under the rule. It was that rule 81 DO
amended 80 as TO allow the treaty now pending
between the United states and Great Britain 70 De
considered In open Senate.
Both resolutions were laid over under the rule.
WORK TO BE DONE By CONTRACT.
Mr.. Mitchell offered a resolution which was
adopted, instructing the committee on commerce
to consider the advsabiity OF inserting provision
in the river and harbor BILL requiring all work to
be done By contract.
Mr.. Hale offered resolutions, which were adopted,
calling on the Secretary OF the Treasury for facts
attending the employment of Chas. r WestbroOk
OF Sw Yor and nor On the
General for copy Of the testimony OF Westbrook
taken in November 1887, In the issue OF Curtis vs.
SchelL
INEFFICIENT MAIL SERVICE.
The resolution. offered yesterday by Mr.. Plumb,
instructing the pOst-of1ce committee to make
thorough inquiry into the cause OF inemcient mail
service, especially in the West and South, was
taken up for consideration.
sonal gratitude to the Senator from Kansas, who
introduced the resolution, and he hoped that the
in the advancing states Of the West had suffered
very much from inefllclent postal arrangements
for the last couple OF years.
The subject was debated at length by Messra
stewart, SALISBURY, Morgan and others.
Nominations Confirmed.
THAT OF POSTMASTER ROSS, OF THIS CITY, AMONG
THEN.
The Senate has confirmed as postmasters: John
W. Ross at Washington, D. c.; W. j. Furlong, at
Rochelle, Ills; John H. Currey, at Nashville.
Tenn. to be consul at Rio Grande do Sui, L. G.
Bennington, Of West Virginia, besides a large
number OF nomina ions from which 1t did not re-
move the Injunction OF secrecy. There was no op-
position or objection 10 Mr.. Ross but pending con-
sideration OF his case Mr.. Riddleberger made some
Criticism OF the rules OF procedure In secret ses
sOns, and considerable time was consumed. MI
Ross was unanimously confirmed
House Of Representatives.
The Speaker pro tempore announced the ap-
polntment OF Mr.. Cummings, OF New York, and
Mr.. Galltnger, Of New Hampshire, as the addf-
tional members OF the committee on printing
charged With inQuiring into the administration Of
the Government Printing Office. The Speaker pro
tempore suggested that during the investigation
the committee be known as the special committee
on printing.
on motion Of Mr.. Bland, Of Missouri. bill was
passed authorizing the construction Of a bridge
across the Missouri River at Jefferson Mo.
Mr.. Dtngiey CMe.), from the committee on bank
Ing and currency, reported bill authorizing the
Secretary OF the Treasury to invest the lawful
money deposited in the Treasury in trust by
national banking associations for the retirement
Of their circulating notes. House calendar.
THE READING STRIKE RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Clardy (Mo), from the committee on COM
merce, reported back the Reading strike resolu-
tion, with a substitute requesting the Interstate
Commerce Commission to investigate the matter.
House calendar.
MI. Randall (pa.) inquired whether the resolu-
ton, II reported outside Of the morning hour
snsitied s to iimmediats s consideration. @ AHu 0
not be privileged.
POSTAL MATTERS
MI. Dockery [Mo.), from the committee on post
onices and post-roads reported bill requiring the
land-grant ra4roads to construct and operate
independent telegraph lines. House calendar.
Mr.. BlOunt (Ga.), from same committee, reported
adversely bill to regulate the rates OF postage
on second-class matter at letter-carrier ofaces
House calendar.
PENSIONS FOR MRS. LOGAN AND MRS. BLAIR.
Mr. Morrill, (of Kan.), from the committee on
invalid pensions, reported bill granting pension
to the widow Of Gen. Logan. Private calendar
Also senate bill increasing the pension Of the
widow OF Gen. Blair. Private calendar.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS DAYS.
In the consideration morning hour Mr. Dibble
Is. C.l under instructions from the committee
Of public buildings and grounds called up a reso-
luton assigning Tuesday, February IL, and day
TO day thereafter until further order, for the con-
sideration OF measures reported from that CON-
mittee.
on motion Of Mr.. Mills Tex,, q substitute
was adopted assigning February 81, %, %, 25 and
6liis M II provided that on each Of those days % the
House shall adjourn at O'Clock, that the Speaker
shall entertain no dilatory motions, and that
Mr.. Reed Qde) said that he was glad to see that
the democratic party was ready TO change the
nounced some years ago, when the republican
party had changed the rules in order to facilitate
the Consideration Of election cases
Bills were passed for the erection, at q cost Of
800 600 each, OF public buildings at Greenv1lle,
roe, Ia
Mr. RANDALL AND THF PRESIDENT.
When the Ashevflie bill was under consideration
MI. Randall OF Pennsylvania, inquired whether
this was not the measure vetoed by the President
during the last Congress.
Mr.. johnson, N. c. soto ooce.-Donr say any
Mt. RandalL-well withdraw the remark
Mr. johnson said that the President had recently
visited Asheville, and had no doubt changed his
opinion as to the needs OF that city.
THE STEAM RAILROAD QUESTION.
why the Senate COmmitsee Think
Nothing VIII He Accomplished.
Chairman Ingalls,. Of the Senate District COM
mittee, was not present at the hearing Saturday
ON the question Of steam railroad routea because,
In the rst place, he had duties calling him else
where, and In the second he has heard the entire
question argued and debated over and over again.
Tho hearing was more particularly designed for
the new members OF the committee VINO were not
familiar with the details Of the subject In regard
TO the prospect Of legislation on this question Q
leading member Of the committee said TO srAs
q almost despair Of accomplishing anything. It
= apparent that the parties concerned are deter
ttmore ana Ohio Railroad, It seems b 6xed In its
purpose 20 demand the route it lays down or take
nothing; the Pennsylvania Railroad COMPANY 10.