The Washington critic., 1888-06-20
In CONGRESS- TODAY.
An Adverse Report on the RetaIia.
tiOn Bill in The Senate.
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Ex.Commissioper Sparks Dragged
Into the House Debate.

In the Senate to-day Mr. Brown sub
mitted the minority report on % private
Mexican claim bill. lie desired 10 de-
liversome remarks upon the report and
read them from printed manuscripl. re-
tanning his seat, leaning back In his char.
crossing his legs and assuming most
remarks
Mr.. Edmunds from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported adversely the
bill authorizing the President ~ make n
proclamation prohibiting the impOrla-
ton of products of foreign countries.
The bill IS in the shape of q retaliatOrv
measure against countries discriminating
against American products The repoG
stotes That the ann Of this bill is embodied
III the bill introduced 10y Mr. Edmun,la
December -, 1887, providing iOr am in-
spection of meats for expectation and
prohibiungth importation ofndulterated
articles of food.
Mr.. VOORHEES, secured the adoption ofa
loint resolution authorizing the District
Commissioners to designate site for the
erection Of statue TO BENJAMIN Frank.
lin, to be donated by Mr. StlsOn Hutch.
ins.
Mr.. Faulkner introduced a bill author.
,1llg. the commissioners TO change the
location ofan alley in square l20.
u
sion bills, the Senate adjourned at 2.30.
THE HOUSE.
Mr.. Crisp this morning asked unani-
nous consent that q recess be taken from
five o'clock till eight this evening for the
consideration of bills reported from the
Committee on Commerce granting rights
OF way and authorizing the construction
of bridges.
Mr.. Randall objected 10 the proposition
in part, and after a few remarks it was
agreed that the evening session be de-
voted to bridge bills reported Crom the
Committee on Commerce.
About dozen Senate bills were read
and appropriately referred
A haithours wraRgle occurred over
the private pension bills that came over
from last Friday nights session with tho
previous question ordered, and the bills
were ilnally postponed untillthree weeks
from tomorrow evening.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole, Mr.. McMillin in the chair,
on the Sundry Civil bill.
Mr.. Blanchard's amendment increas-
ing the appropriation for the contingent
expenses ofthe Land Office from S155,000
to $4,000 was strongly opposed by Mr.
hancall, ana 1t was lost by q vote of 10
to 80.
Mr.. Blanchard offered another amend
ment increasing the appropriation for
protecting timber on the public lsuds
from $4,000 to 10000. This was also
lost.
The section appropriating 100000 TO-"
the protection OF public lands from illes5-
length.
MIR. Mcshane moved to cut the amount
down to $4,000.
Mr.. Laird assailed the administration
OF General Sparks in vigorous terms and
said he was glad to see one Democrat
with courage enough TO denouuce the
management of the Land Office
Mr.. Randall desired to limit debate TO
forty-fye minutes.
Mr.. blanchard said he would object,
unless Mr.. Randall would agree ~ make
it 60 minutes.
On Mr.. Randalls motion, the coin
mittee rose, and after discussion IL was
agreed that debate he limited 10 fifty
minutes.
The House then went into commieee
again and Mr., Holman and Ar.
Weaver ably defended the admins
tration ofGeneral Sparks. The lat
ter said that if the Administration had
made mistake IL was in permitting the
late Commissioner to retire. lie said
there was not a md grabber in the cOuu-
try but would indorse the speech Of Mr.
Laird.
Mr.. Peters criticised the official record
of General Sparks.
Mr. Blanchard said the appropriation
ought to be increased TO $l50OOO, the sum
recommended by the Commissioner
Mr. Townshend defended Mr. Sparks
and the administration Of his Office.
Millions of acres had been restored 10 the
public domain through his efforts.
Mr.. Randall said that Mr.. SPARKS re-
moval was public misfortune
The amendment was finally voted DOVE
by vote of Is to 81.