The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-20
Proceedings of the House.

WAsHISGToN, Oct. l9.-Mr. ONei., OF Penn
sylvania, said that he had been requested by the
executive authorities OF tue State OF Psnnsyl-
vania. to call up the Senate bill for the purpose
of re-suditing an account between that State
and the United States. He explained that the
DILL called for no present appropriation, though
lie was bound in fairness TO state that IL might
lead to an appropriation In the future.
Mr.. Turner. of Georgia. objected.
Mr.. kilgore, OF Texas, objected 10 q request
made by Mr.. Rice, OF Minnesota, for the pass
age of q bin authorizing the civ of Minneapolis
TO alter. repair and reconstruct certain public
works.
The House then, at / o'clock, adjourned till IL
tomorrow.
Tomorrow ct l o'clock the first session of the
Fiftieth Coneress will close. IL has been the
longest continuous session in the history OF
nearly a century Of Congresses, having lasted
32l days. The longest previous session ran 3O2
days, ending Sept 80 Apart from the pro-
tEacted but interesting discussion of the tariff
question IN both houses. aud the un-
paralleled deadlock In the consideration
Of the bill to refund the direct tax,
the session has been remarkable in sew
eral ways, but in none more than IN the
enormous number of measures introduced in both
branches of Congress. In the Senate, 3.64l
bills and ll6 joint resolutions were presented;
and IN the Honse the record ran no TO the un-
equaled figures OF III. 500 bills and go joint resc-
~lutions, making a grand total of IL, 1855 measures
introduced in one session. IN the Senate
1884 measures were reported back from
committees and placed on the calendar,
n much larger proportion than IN tho
House, where S.30o measures OF the total
number OF IL ,s23 introduced still slumber in the
committee rooms. Among the measures of pub
lie interest, that have become laws, are the fol-
lowing:
The bill relating to permissible marks on mail
matter; for tue division OF the Sioux reservations;
for a conference with the South aud Central
American nations; limiting the hours OF letter
carriers; making Lieutenant. general Sheridan
General of the army; to establish q department
of labor; for an international maritime confer
ence; requiring the Pacific railroad companies
to maintain telegraph lines: TO prohibit the com
ing OF Chinese !aborers 10 the United States;
for the establishment of rules in respect TO the
Sauit Ste. Marie and other canals: to create
boards of arbitration to settle controversies be-
tween common carriers and tbei- employees; to
prevent the return cf Chinese laborers To this
country; TO aid State homes for disabled SOL
diers. and changing the date of meeting Of the
Electoral College
In the next stage. that is. in conference be-
tween the two houses, are two bills OF the first
Importance. namely, repeating the presumption
and timber.culture laws, and providing a general
homestead law. and declaring a forfeiture of
unesrned railroad land grants. Pending before
the Senate is the House tariff bill and the Senate
substitute. The Senate passed bills to divide
Dakota, and admit the southern half As a State.
and 10 aid common school education tine Blair
bill, but they never reached the House for
action.
In the Senate the same thing can be said of
the following bills, which passed the House:
The fisheries retaliation bill, whose passage was
recommended by the President; authorizing the
issue of fractional silver certificates; allowing
the regulation by States OF railways chartered
by the United States.