The Russellville Democrat., 1888-12-20
NEWS IN BRIEF.
Compiled from Various Sources.
CONVERSATIONAL PRocEEprNGs.

IN the Senate, on the 10th, certificates Of election Of presidential electors in Alabama, New Jersey, Missouri and Louisiana. were re- ccived. Mir. Frye presented resolution in structing the committee on foreign relations to inquire into the condition Of affairs ct Samoo and report to the Senate what steps have been taken to maintain the neutrality Of the island and what action If any Is demanded. The re mainder of the session was occupied in the dis cussion Of the Senate Tarin bih......I In the House, number of new bills were introduced and several different measures were consid- cred, but no decisive action was taken upon hem.
 IN the Senate, on the tith, resolution was adopted, calling on the Secretary of War for ar account of the expenditures by General Han cock in entertaining the French officers on the occasion of the Yorktown celebration, and whether any Of this money had sbeen refunded to him or to his estate. Mr. Frye's resolution for the investigation of the Samoan question was reported and agreed to, and the Senate re sumed consideration of the Tariff bill, the pending amendment being that 10 reduce the duty on beams, girders, etc. The rate was fixed at one cent per pound, reduction Of l-l0th per cent. .... In the House, the Direct Tax bill and the cotton-tax amendment occu pied the entire day, without action being reached.
 IN the Senate, on the i2th. the Tarin bill was taken Up, the pending question being the amendment to admit hoop and band iron tcotton ties etc) free Of duty, instead of taxing 1t el0th per cent per pound additional, but after the entire day was spent in the discussion, the Senate adjourned without action on the pro posed amendment ....I In the House, the River and Harbor bill was reported and referred to the committee of the whole House. The Sen ate amendments to the Department Of Agricul- ture bill were non-coneurred in, and a confer ence was ordered. The House then went into committee of the whole on the Direct-TaX bill. which, after several amendments had been Of fered and rejected the committee rose and re- ported to the House. The bill was then passed yeas, IFS; nays, 96.
 IN the Senate, on the 18th, the day was chief ly devoted to consideration of the Tariff bill. The discussion was enlvened by passage be tween hr. Riddleberger and the presiding off cer, in which the Virginia Senator was threat ened with arrest for disorderly conduct After q lengthy discussion of the Tarin bill, no action being reached. the Senate went into executive session, and soon after adjourned until tho 17th .... In the House, in his opening prayer, the Chaplain said: Instruct the young men of the universities and colleges that the Lord hath no delight In the legs of a man, but in a sound head, wise heart q pure life and noble character" Several new bills were reported and placed on the calendar. The Oklahoma bill was then taken up, and occupied the re- mainder of the session.
 The Senate was not in session on the l4th
 ....In the House, Mir. Hooker, of Massachu setts, introduced n concurrent resolution pro vIding for holiday recess from Friday, Decem Der q, until Monday, January z which was re- ferred to the committee on ways and means. The Nicaraguan Canal bill was then taken up but after an hour and q half spent in vain ef fort to secure a quorum upon proposition to limit debate the House took recess until half-past seven o'clock, when brief session 1.,rlI IVrfalt tpsffe u1