The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-03-22
CONGRESS.
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TUESDAY, MARCH -.


In the Senate, Senator Hale's resou ton in
regard to civil service under the present Adj
ministration, and which provides that com
mittee of seven Senators be appointed Whose
duty it shall be to examine fully into the pres
ent condition OF the civil service in all branches
of the Government to ascertain whether the
appointments in said service have been based
upon merits and qualifications or have been
distributed as partisan favors; and, further, TO
fully examine and report as to the offensive
participation of officers and employees Of the
General Government in political conventions
and elections
Senator CocIrell moved to amend by extend
ing the inquiry to cover the time since the is
suance Of President Hayes's order, June p,
1877.
Senator Hoar said he could not see the " Pro-
priety of an amendment which goes merely
into the past. The question of the present OBJ
servance or violation of law is the only pFacti-
cal question for the country. What has gone
on in the past has been dealt with and consid-
cred. Thezamendment proposed by the Sen
ator from Missouri is a violation of the etiquet
and propriety Of the Senate"
The amendment was defeated and the reso-
luton agreed to.
Senator Beck called up the bill to provide for
the retirement of small notes and the issue of
coin certificates in their place. In the course
of his remarks he made an attack on Senator
demonetize silver or for his connection with
the coinage Of the trade dollar
Senator Sherman denied all the allegations
against him, and cited documentary evidence
to show that the silver dollar was not surrepti-
tiously demonetized, and went on 70 give a
succinct history of the coinage legislation Of the
day.
In the House 4 number Of minor bills were
considered, and much time was spent on the
/ bill for the organization OF the militia Of the
4 District of Columbia.
The bill providing for the allotment of land
! in severalty to the United Peorias and Miamis,
/ in the Indian Territory, was discussed at
/ length and finally passed.
/ WEDNESDAY, MARCH IA
In the Senate, Senator Brown tGa) called up
his resolution in favor of the repeal Of the In
ternal Revenue laws and the collection of all
/ the money needed by the Government from
duties on foreign imports, and made an ex-
tended argument in favor of his position.
On motion of Senator Allison the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill to regu-
late the importation of foreign merchandise,
and spent several hours upon it.
The House spent the morning hour in con-
sideTaton Of the District Of Columbia militia
bill, and devoted the rest Of the session to pri-
vate bills.
THURSDAY. MARCH Is.
In the Senate, Senator Teller made a long
speech severely CIlLlClZlllg bDG jylsCy l3lu QUNu
IN tue Presidents annual message.
The consideration of the bill to prevent un-
LIBERALIZATION in imported merchandise was
considered.
Eulogies were delivered on the late Seth c.
Moffatt, Representative from Michigan.
In the House the consideration of the Urgent
Deficiency Bill occupied most Of the time.
FRIDAY, MARCH I6
In the Senate, Senator Hale introduced the
To inf ID
retire John c. Fremont as Major General in the
United States Army He expressed the hope
that the Committee on Military Affairs, tC
which the bill was referred, would give it az
carly consideration.
Senator Butler offered bill for the admis
sion Of Utah as State. Referred to the Com
mittee on Territories.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
Of the bill to regulate the importation of for
eign merchandise, and prevent underyalua
tons, and Senator Allison made statement
as TO the object and Importance of the 14tf
: section Of the bill, against which Senate
Eyarts had made an argument on the previou
day
After a lengthy and general debate the vott
was taken on Senator Edmunds's amendment
= and it was not agreed to-yeas 3 nays AZ.
Senator Edmunds then withdrew othe
amendments to the 14th section. The bill
was, passed without division
Senator Plumb offered a preamble and resO
Z. luton reciting the fact Of the interruption 0
! freight traffic on the Chicago, Burlington
t Quincy and the Atchison, Topeka & SAINT
G Ee Railroads, and instracting the COMMITTEE
4 on Interstate Commerce TO inquire whethe
] such interruption Of commerce was Occasionct
j by the failure of the railroad companies t
s adopt necessary precautions OK by other neg
r lect Of their duty as common carriers.
c Senator Cullom remarked that that was
inf sinh 10 ipafrfra
t whether the purpose was to have the commit
9 tee or sub committee leave Washington an
Q carry on the inquiry elsewhere.
e Senator Plumb said that that vas qucstio
which the committee would decide for itself
Senator Harris suggested that the resOlutiO
had better lie over for the present, and tina
r. was assented to by Senator Plumb
4 The resolution was therefore laid over
t In the House, Mr.. Enloe Tenn, from I'll
; Committee Oh Postolices and Postroads, n
= ported a bill providing that seeds plants bull
i and scions shall be cassed as thiFd-rate mai
able matter, and shall be carried through tn
(, mails at the rate Of ! cent for each two ounce
J. House Calendar.
n The House then went into Committee Of I'll
a Whole, Mr.. Blount Ca ia the chair, for ii
T.; consideration Of the Senate amendments to Il
=. urgent deficiency bill.
}. in speaking Of one Of the amendments N
lt Buchanan y j brauched off to the subject
g. the tariff and read a memorial addressed
a the Committee on Ways and Means, signed
it workngmen and women in a New Jersey pc
J. terry, stating that they note with alarm that
2 bill has been presented to that commits
J. which viii greatly reduce the duty on potter
n and lead to a ruinous reduction Of their wage
e. These petitions said Mr.. Buchanan, cou
ie not be heard IN the American Congress or b
ss fore any committee except in this, lie ADM
.e ted, surreptitious way. Laughter
IF SATURDAY. MARCH u.
= The Senate was not in session.
re The House held a short session, which "
Is mainly devoted to the consideration Of priya
E bills