Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-02-08
House of Representatives.


MONDAY, Jan. 30.-The Speaker laid
before the House a letter from the pub
lie printer in reply to a resolution of in
quiry regarding the discharge of en-
ployes while congressional work was in
arrears. Alter warm debate reSOlu-
ton was adopted providing for an inves-
tlgatlOn by the committee on printing
assisted by two members, one from each
side Of the House, of the administration
of the printing office during the incum-
bency of the present public printer and
that of his predecessor.
TUESDAY, Jan. 2I.-In the morning
hour Mr.. Dibble IS. c.. under instruc-
tions from the committee on public
buildings and grounds, called up a reso-
luton assigning Tuesday, February 81,
and from day to day thereafter until
further order, for the consideration OF
measures reported from that committee.
On motion of Mr.. Mills (Tex.) a substi-
tute was adopted assigning February 81,
%, %, 25 and % for the consideration OF
public building bills, provided that on
each of those days the house shall ad-
journ at o'clock, that the speaker shall
entertain no dilatory motions and that
debate on each bill shall be limited to
half an hour. A bill was passed for the
L
mouth, o., at cost Of 100000. On mo-
ton OF Mr.. Wilkins (O.) the considera-
ton of the banking bill was postponed
for two weeks.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. AFTER long and
interesting debate a resolution was
adopted for an ADMINISTRATION of the Read
ing strike by special committee of five
members. Mr.. Burnes (Mo.), from the
committee On appropriations, reported
the urgent deficiency bill, and Mr.. Glass
Tenn.), from the committee on agricul-
ture, bill to promote agriculture. Both
were referred to the committee of the
whole.
THURSDAY, Feb. 2.-The House passed
an important. bill to-day in relation to
the classification of mail matter. Two
years ago an act was passed fixing the
rate on newspapers and periodicals at
one cent pound when mailed from a
known office Of publication to regular
subscribers. This act was intended to
include only newspapers and periodicals
partaking of the character of newspa-
pers. Under decision of the attorney
general, however, the cheap editions
OF novels, publications of quack doc
tors, and advertising sheets were
given the benefit of the l cent a
pound rate and the result has been a
loss OF at least 81 100000 year to the
posta!! revenue: To correct this palpa-
bic violation of the intent and spirit of
the law, the bill of to-day was passed I'M
der which dime novels, monthly series
of quack medicine sheets, and the like,
will hereafter be required to pay post
age at the rate of l cent for two ounces
or cents pound. Mr.. Ford, of Mich
gan, introduced bill for the oroaniza-
ton OF the territory of Alaska.
FRIDAY, Feb. 3.-Mr. Dockerv MO-
from the committee on postofices and
postroads, reported a bill authorizing
the appointment of eleven division SUI
perlntendents OF the railway mail SER
vice: Committee of the whole. Mr..
Collins Mass. J, from the committee on
the judiciary, submitted adverse reports
on bills to create a court of Gus
toms, and proposing constitu-
tlonal amendment empowering Congress
to grant aid to the common schools OF
the several states. Among the private