Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-02-16

WAsnrNaron. Feb. 3. ,sS,

things that have been done In con-
gress this week will mention that the
Senate. unanimously and without de-
bate, voted to substitute the 30th of
April for the 4th OF March as Inaugu-
ration day. They also voted that the
term OF Office OF the president and OF
the Fiftieth Congress shall continue
until the Both day of April. 1889. at
noon; that the senator's whose exist
ing term would expire on the 4th of
March. 1889 land thereafterl. shall con-
tinue in Office until the 3Oth of April
succeeding such expiration. and that
the 30th Of April shall thereafter be
substituted for the 4th of March as
the commencement and termination of
the official term of the president, vice.
president. senator's and representa-
tives in congress
In the House end of the Capitol
there is on the calendar another con-
stitutional amendment awaiting vote.
1t fixes the day for the meeting of
congress on the first Monday in Janu-
airy. and the time of final adjourn
ment at noon on the 31st of Decem-
Der. This, you see would practically
make "a continuous session for two
years term, interrupted by only such
recesses as both houses should agree
to.
The Senate has agreed to give a
81, 200, 600 public building to Nebras-
ka's thriving city of Omaha, and the
Honse has voted to favor with public
buildings Greenvile, 8. c., Ports
mouth, o., Asheville, N. c., Spring
field. Mo. and Monroe, La
Prohibition bill memorials and ne
titions continue to pour i'm both Hous.
es. One of the latest and strongest
is the result of the yearly meeting of
Society of Friends in Baltimore, which
shows that the friends 10 not believe
in half way measures. The petition
calls for constitutional amendment,
prohibiting the manufacture, exporta-
ton, importation. transportation and
sale of liquors in the United States.
Petitions continue TO be presen. ed, al
SO, in favor of the proposed constitu.
tional centennial celebration TO BE-
held in this city.
To give you an idea of the demands
made by constituents and other callers
upon the time of our lawmakers,
which should be spent during the dai
ly session at least, in attention to pub
lie business, l will mention that tn.
doorkeepers at the various entrances
TO the floor of the House kept tally on
last Thursday of the cards sent in to
members during the day. Owing to
bad weather there happened to b.
fewer people at the Capitol that Gay
than usual, vet LOO cards were sent
in. This did not include those sent in
from the ladies reception room, which
would have numbered several hun
drad moro
There was little contest in the Sen
ate over the one cent postage bill. In
presenting the senatorial post-ofict
committees adverse report upon tho
dainty measure, Chairman Sawyer
stated that the Post-Oflce Depart.
ment was not self-supporting yet, and
therefore it was not time to attemp'
any further reduction on letter post
age. Senators Beck, Hoar, Plat and
Others believed in penny postage.
They argued that the people wanted
and demanded better and cheaper
mail service, that they had never ask
ed that the post-office department
should be self-sustaining, nor had
they ever complained of extravaganza
in that branch of the government.
Members of the House general,
favor the reduction of postage, OF
drop letters. ut least, to one cent
There are other bills on the subject be
sides the one snubbed by the Senate
committee, and others are being pre-
pared which will re introduced at ar
early day. During the one cent dis
cussion, Senator Beck said he could
not understand how the goveromen
could afford to carry bonnets, harness
and all kinds of merchandise over TN,
country for cent an ounce and no
be able to carry the intelligence of tn,
people at the same rate.
1t is said that the forthcoming tar
iff bill, which is being framed will
such care that it is expected to pleas
the whole country, is not of radica
character. The revenue reformer
who are clamoring for a reduction OF
the necessaries of life will be pleased
it is thought, with the disposition mad
of wool, wooden goods, cotton good
and sugar. The Randall Democrat
will be placated with the duties of to
bacco cut some $50, 900, 900, while tn
whiskey tax will not be touched.
nna ~ Con.ra,o,..on Et.l,o.s.