The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-25
SUMMARY OF CONGRESS.
Senate PROCEEDINGS.

Senate Proceedings.
list DAY.-A draft OF bill for the revo-
cation of the withdrawal of lands for the
benefit OF certain railroads was presented
from the President and referred. "A bill
was introduced authorizing United States
District Attorneys to swear witnesses and to
compel their attendance for the purpose of
investigating the facts Of case pending for
trial; referred. "A joint resolution was
ton at the International Exhibition at Bar
celona, Spain. The bill to authorize the
sale to aliens of certain mineral lands was
taken from the calendar, and after discus
sion laid over until Monday. Mr.. Riddle
berger introduced a resolution asking the
President to take such action in regard to
the seizure by Great Britain of Venezuelan
ests :. The House bill granting right of way
to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad
Company through the Fort Crawford Mill
tary Reservation was passed. "A bill was
introduced to repeal the statutory prohibi-
ton against former Confederate soldier
serving in the United States Army. :. The
following pension bills we're passed: Giving
a pension of SIS a month to DR.. Mary E.
Walker as "late assistant surgeon United
States Army" giving pension of $500 a
year to the widow of General Charles P.
Stone; one to increase the pension of the old
est Revolutionary pensioner on the rolls,
Nancy Rains, ninety six years of age, from
St month to an amount not fixed but left
to the Secretary of the Interior; giving a
pension of $50 month to the widow of Rear
Admiral Nicholson; giving pension of 500
a month to the widow of General Judson
Fitzpatrick; 500 month to the widow of
General Robert Anderson; pensioning a SOL
dier's "foster mother" giving a pension of
$50 month to the widow Of Brigadier Gen
eral TAYLOR, and one of $50 to the widow of
Commander William Gibson. The bill to
prevent injurious and destructive deposits
within New York Harbor was passed.
I'D DAY.-An executive communication
was presented asking an appropriation OF
Sl0U,0J0 for gymnasium at the West Point
Military Academy. A joint resolution was
passed accepting the invitation to participate
in the International Exhibition at Brussels,
Belgium, and appropriating $50, ,00o for that
purpose. .. The bill to make valid certain
land patents that had been irregularly signed
was passed. "A bill was introduced for the
establishment of a permanent court OF arb1-
tration between the United States and Great
Britain and France. -. The bill to authorize
the sale to aliens of certain mineral lands was
warmly opposed with the result of its being
laid aside. :. A bill to remove the political
disabilities Of Robert johnson, of New York,
was passed. The West Point Academy Ap-
preparation bill was reported from the Senate
Committee on Appropriations without any
change in the amount (s315, 100 appropriated
by the bill as it came from the House. -. MIR.
Platt spoke in behalf Of the admission into
the Union of the State of South Dakota. -.
Matchmaker introduced bill to re-enact the
Direct Tax bill
73p pAY.-A bill to remove the political
disabilities of John Rutledge, Of South Caro-
lima was passed. The Freedman's Bank
bill was taken from the calendar and refer
red to the Committee on Finance. A petit
tion urging the preservation of the Yellow
stone National Park was introduced and pro-
voked prolonged discussion. The bill reg
ulating the times for holding terms OF the
United States Circuit and Districts Courts
for the Northern District of Iowa was
of the bill to authorize the sale to aliens of
certain mineral lands, the question being on
the amendment requiring majority OF the
stockholders, trustees, or directors of min
ing company to be citizens Of the United
States. The amendment was rejected by
vote Of 81 to 20.
74TH DAY.-The motion to refer the Presi-
dents annual message was taken up, and MIR.
Morrill, addressed the Senate on the subject
....A resolution was adopted calling on the
Secretaries of War, Navy and Treasury for
statements as to the officers of the army and
navy and judicial officers retired on half pay.
.. The following bills were taken from the
calendar and passed: House bill, to purchase
of the widow and children Of the late Cen
eral James Shields certain swords at cost
not exceeding $4,000; for the erection of a
monument to the memory of General Joseph
Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill; for a
public building at Bridgeport, Conn.,,
with an amendment increasing the appro-
priation from 100000 to S150,OC0; bill ap-
$4,000 for fireproof workshop
at the National Armory, Springfield, Mass;
bill appropriating $1,000 for monument to
Brigadier. General William Lee Davidson,
who fell in the battle Of Governs Ford in
February, 1871. The bill for the purchase
from Miss Virginia Taylor Lewis OF sword
of Washington for $40, 900 was taken up and
discussed at length.