Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-13

to evade those provisions of the inter
state commerce law which was intended
to secure to the people the benefits of
lower rates as result of competition
among the carriers. The commission is
requested to inform the house what legis
latlon may be most effective to preveLt
combinations for the purpose of fixing or
maintaining agreed or uniform freight
rates, and 10 transmi stenographic re-
port Of the testimony tax en-. A bill was
also introduced, making the international
copyright bill special order for Decem-
Der 10; a bill for the construction of two
steel cruisers, to be armed with Dynamite
guns and torpedo throwers, also for the
construction Of two steel rams, to be
armed with heavy rifed dynamite gus
and torpedo throwers. The Des Moines
river lands bill was taken up and passed.
THURSDAY. Dec. 6.
Senate.-in the senate, today, a state
ment from the director of the mint, in
response to Sen. Stewards resolution OF
the last session as to the amount of sill
yer bullion offered monthly TO the govern
ment since 1868, was presented and order
ed printed. Mr.. Plumb gave notice, that
he would, at an early day, ask the senate
bill. Numerous bills were init oduced and
referred, including the following: For
the establishment of a national biogra phi
ical laboratory; to organize govern
ment bureau of information relating to
empioyments, occupation, wages, means
of livelihood and homes. Sen. Butler in
troduced joint resolution proposing a
constitutional amendment charging the
presidential term of Office 10 SIX years. 1t
was laid on the table. The senate ad-
journed until Monday.
House-The speaker stated that he had
received a communication from Hon.
Perry Belmont, informing him that he
mad sent TO the governor of New York
his resignation as member of congress
from the first congressional district of
New York. The speaker directed the
clerk to drop Belmont's name from the
roll OF the house. The usual resolution
for the distribution of the presidents
message to appropriate committees was
reported from the committee on ways and
means and adopted. The order relative
to the consideration of the direct tax bill
was so modified as to make the measure
special order for today and Tuesday
and Wednesday next, it being the desire
of many members shat an adjournment
be taken over Saturday. The house then
went into committee of the whole, Mr..
Springer ([iI.) in the chair, on the direct
tax bill.
FRIDAY, Dec. 7.
HoUsE.-It was ordered that when the
HOUSE adjourn today it be to meet Mon
day. The Nicaragua canal bill was con-
sidered and amended and several private
pension bills were passed which complet-
ed the work of the days session.
MONDAY, Dec. 10.
SENATE.-AmoDg the documents pre-
sented were the following from the
secretary of the interior in response
TO the resolution recently offered
by Sen. Dawes, requiring if formation as
to the alleged outrages and restraints of
liberty practiced against the Indian
woman in Alaska. The secretary says the
department has no information On the
subject except newspaper reports of
uncertain value" He intimates that the
stories have srison from the highly magni-
fyingnpoweI in the visual leps of travellers.
Mr.. Farweil introduced in the senate
this morning bill to increase the pay of
the chief justice of the supreme court to
$50 500, ard that OF associate Justices to
$4,000 each.
HoUsE.-The following bills were in
troduced: By Mr.. Lawler, of Illinois,
granting pension of $12 Per month &c
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors
who are sixty years of age. By Mr..
Morse, of Massachusetts, to repeal the in
terstate commerce law. By Mr.. McDon-
aid, of MINI esota, for constitutional con
vention In the territory OF North Dakota.
By t. j. Campbell, of New York, provid-
ing the grade of lieutenant-ge GENERAL In the
United States army. By Mr.. Dubois, of
Idaho, for the admission of the state of
Idaho. By Mr.. McAdoo, of New Jersey,
proposing constitutional amendment
providing for uniformity as to the day for
choosing presidential e'ec ors and for
bidding voting for any other officers save
representatives in congress on that day.
Mr.. Holman introduced resolution
providing that the committee on Judi
ciary be instructed to investigate charges
of the use of large sums of money in the
recent election to il fluence the election,
and to inquire what legislation is neces
sary and proper to suppress such contri-
buttons and to preserve and maintain
the freedom and purity of the election
franchise, vi h authority TO report at
any time by bill or otherwise. The
house then went into committee of
the whole on the District of Columbia ap
preparation bill. The bill was laid aside
after short debate, and the committee
proceeded 10 consider the pension appro-
priation bill. This occasioned no debate
and the committee rose; both bills were
passed.