Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-05-31
NEWS SUMMARY.
CONGRESSIONAL,

CONGRESSIONAL.
MAY 10, HoUsE.-The largest audience OF
the session gathered TO hear the tariff de-
bate which was participated in by Congress-
man Reed of Maine, Hon. John Baker of
Illinois and Representative Breckenridge of
Kentucky. The debate was closed by Speak
or Carlisle in an able argument in favor of
reform. He declared that we do not want
absolute free trade, nor do we want
Chinese wall thrown around our country.
The speaker said that the only remedy for
tho dangerous financial situation is tariff re-
duction. Further action on the Mills bill
has been defeRed several DAYS Il is prob
able that several amendments will be offered
and debated before vote is taken on the
measure.
MAY 81, SENATE'-The bin appropriating
SIT, 800 for making tho wost end of the
Smithsonian building in Washington fire
proof, was passed; as was the bill TO make
Sault Ste. Marie port of delivery with
privilege Of inland transportation in bond.
The bill for the erection OF postoffice build
ings in towns where the receipts for the
three years preceding have exceeded 5000
annually, was discussed but no action taken.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following: BY Mr.. Blair To Sc
cure to the people the enjoyment of the
first day of the week as a day of rest and
to permit its observance as a day of religious
worship BY Mr.. Hoar: To incorporate
the American Historical Association. He
also offered resolution, which was agreed
to- directing the committee on military
affairs TO report if some amendment should
not be mado TO the laws in relation to army
enlistments, so as TO prevent the enlistment
in time of peace of men with wives and
families depending upon them for support,
without notice to or consent OF their wives.
Mr. Frye, from the committee on com
MERGE, reported back the river and harbor
bill with amendments and IL was ordered TO
DO printed and re-committed. The senate
then adjourned.
HoUsE.-The bill creating department
of agriculture, the consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill and the District of Column
bia appropriation bill were passed. The
Presidents veto of the Joint resolution au-
thorizng the use and Improvement of Castle
Island in Boston habor was received and
referred. The senate amendment to the
pension appropriation bill having been non
concurred in, conference was ordered. A
resolution was adopted directing the com
mittee on fisheries TO investigate the fur seal
industries of Alaska. On motion of Mr..
Hatch, the rules were suspended, and, after
brief debate, the house passed the bill 10
enlarge tho powers and duties of the depart
mont OF agriculture and making il an eXecu-
tive department, by vote of 233 to -. The
bill creates an executive department, TO be
known as the Department of Agriculture;
provides for the appointment of first as
sistant secretary OF agriculture, and trans
fers the weather service of the United States
signal service bureau from the war depart
ment to the department of agriculture The
house then went into committee of tho
whole on the consular and diplomatic APP
preparation bill.
MAY 22, SENATE.-The rejection in secret
session of the Riddleberger resolution to
consider the fisheries treaty. open session,
and the discussion and passage in regular
session of the bill TO create department of
labor, were the principal points Of interest
in the senate today. A message from the
President returning without approval SEN
ate bill for the relief of l.. j. Warden, re-
Gently postmaster at Lawrence, kas., for
an allowance of 1925 for extra clerk hire
was laid before the senate. Bills were
passed appropriating 900 for "a public
building at GAINESVILLE, o., and granting the
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railway
company the right of way through the Lac
de Flambeau Indian reservation in Wiscon-
sin. The house bill providing for a depart
ment of labor, and making the head Of the
department a member of the cabinet, was
passed. A conference committee on the
pension appropriation bill was appointed,
and after a secret session the senate adj
journed
HoUsE.-The principal feature in the
house to day was the discussion of the bill
10 prohibit the sale OF convict labor goods
outside of the state wherein they are pro-
duced. After the debate by Messrs. Outh-
waite of Ohio, and Blount of Georgia, in
opposition, and by Messrs Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, and Bond of Pennsylvania, in
advocacy Of the measure, the previous
question on the engrossmcnt and third
reading Of the bill was ordered and the
house adjourned.
MAY %, SENATH.-NIr. Mcpherson intro
duced Joint resolution providing for med
ais to the officers and enlisted men of the
three months service in 1851. Referred.
On motion of Mr. Sherman the senate pro-
ceeded TO executive business. When the
doors were re-opened legislative business
was resumed, and the senate soon after adj
iourned to attend the funeral of the wife of
Senator Sawyer
HoUsE.-The entire session was taken up
in discussing the postofice appropriation
bill.