The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-10-26
Famed for Its Length.
The Session of Congress Which
Has just Closed,
AND FOR PRECIOUS LITTLE ELSE.

Public buildings and Rivers aud Harbors
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct 2O-The first ses-
sion of the Fiftieth congress is notable only
for its inordinate length-ha wing lasted
three weeks longer than any other session in
the history of the country-and for its vol
luminous tariff debates, which also exceed
greatly any previous debate on the tariff.
OF the SO. called public acts a very large pro-
portion are local or private in their charac-
ter. There is a long list OF acts permitting
railroad companies to bridge navigable
streams aud extend their lines through In
dian reservations, and creating corporations
in the District of Columbia, and permitting
various things to be done in particular places
and authorizing terms of court to DO held
where they are not held now. The following
list comprises about all the general acts of
much importance during the session of near.
ly eleven months:
The Chinese exclusion bill and a bill specifically
forbidding the re. entrance into the country OF
Chinese laborers now here.
Authorizing the president To arrange a confer
ence between the nations of Central and South
America and the West Indies for the establish
ment of international arbitration and the promo
tion of commerce.
Reviving the grade of general for the benefit Of
Gen. Sheridan.
Enabling certain volunteer soldiers who, under
treasury ruling were denied the 500 bounty
under the act of 1872, TO receive the benefits of
that act.
Increasing the rate of pension for total deafness
from St3 to $50.
Making Decoration Day holiday in the District
of Columbia
Paying state and territorial homes for old SOL
diers 500 year for each inmate.
Appropria ing money for the erection of gun
factory and the purchase of steel forgings to be
o1n tt,tc kaa nrJn
Providing in the naval appropriation bill for
several new ships of war.
Establishing a statute of limitations for the
benefit of the bondsTen of disbursing officers.
Rendering judgments and DEGREES in federal
courts liens on property throughout the state In
which the court IL held
Breaking up the exclusive contracts Of the
Western Union Telegraph company with the Pa
cific railroads.
Limiting the hours of work of letter-carriers to
eight per day.
For the division Of the Sioux reservation &C
dams have just rejected.
Amending the act excluding offensive matter
from tn. mails.
Amending the act authorizing the postmaster
general to adjust the claims Of postmasters for
losses by fire, burglary etc.
Establishing beacon lights on the Illinois river.
Providing for international conference to
secure greater safety for Life and property at
sea
Making changes in the navigation laws relating
mainly to consular fees.
For the protection Of federal officials In Indian
Territory.
Authorizing marshals TO arrest offenders and
fugtives from justice in Indian Territory.
Furnishing robbery. burglary. and larceny in
Indian Territory.
Authorizing the condemnation Of land for sites
for public buildings.
Amending the law to punish timber depreda-
tons
OF private bills about 500 have become
laws at this session, and Of these 63S were
private pension bills Among the private
pension bills OF this session are two granting
pensions Of 81 900 year each to the widows
Of 0ena Logan and Blair The bill to give
Hrs. sStSridan 81. 500 has not passed the
house on 6ecount Of the failure to get unani
NOUS consent at time when a quorum was
absent Several generals widows have had
their special pensions doubled at this session.
Nancy Rains, the Oldest revolutionary PEN
sioner. has had her pension raised to $50 a
month. John w. January, the Illinois SOL
der who amputated both OF his own feet at
Andersonville, has had pension OF 800 a,
month given him, and several disabled soIs
have had their pensions raised to S72
month.
more money for rivers and harbors and for
public buildings than any previous session.
The aggregate appropriations for public
buildings amount to $7,279, $40, but more
than million of this is contingent and may
not be required. Congress provided for
twenty seven new public buildings besides
appropriating money to continue large
number now in process Of erection and to re-
pair and enlarge another considerable num-
Der. Chicago gets 500, 900 in addition to
$50, 900 ON hand for the appraisers ware
house.
Among the joint resolutions of the session
were that directing the geological survey to
investigate the practicability Of constructing
reservoirs for the storage OF water in the
arid region; appropriating 500, 900 to pre-
vent the introduction Of yellow fever into the
United States or its transmission from one
state to another; making appropriations for
the representation Of the United States at
tie expositions to he held in Paris, Brussels,
Barcelona, and Melbourne.
The bill to create bureau of labor became
. law at this session, but 1t merely changes
tho organization Of the existing bureau.
Among the measures that failed for this ses-
sion are the following:
Tho tariff bill; the bill to quiet the title Of set
settlement of private land claims; the postal tele
graph bill; the inter telegraph bill; the bill
to amend the interstate commerce law; the do.
psndent pension bill; bills to admit Dakota and
Washington and to create the territory Of Okla
homa; the Blair educational bill; bill raising dis
trict judges salaries t, IS 600: the bill for the
peal Of the presumption and timber culture laws
and the amendment Of the homestead law; Pa
clio railroad funding bill; forfeiture of the North
eyn Pacific grant and forfeiture OF all unearned
grants: anti trust bills; bill to refund the direct
tar: bill to prevent the differentiation Of IMPORTS
to incorporate the Maritime Canal company OF
Nicaragua; to pay the remaining losses OF the de-
positors in the Freeimens bank; the Canadian
retaliation bill; bill for the purchase of bonds; In
dian depreciation claims settlement; bill to create
an executive department OF agriculture; interna-
tional copyright bill bill for the erection OF coast
defenses; eight-hour claims bill; for the taking OF
the next census; bill for the inspection Of meat
for export.
The Report from Jacksonville, Fla.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Oct. +3-The num-
Der Of new cases Of yellow fever Monday
VIVA FORTY three There was only ono death |