Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-22
FiFTIErH CONGRESS.
WAsHrNGToN, February q, 1883.
senate.

WASHINGTON. February 81, 1888.
senate.
Messages from the President, with re-
ports from the Secretary of State rela-
tive 10 the invitation of the Imperial
German Government to the United
States Government to become party to
the international Geodetic Association,
and relative TO the invitation OF the Bel
cian Government to participate IN the
International Exposition of Science and
Industry at Brussels in May next, were
presented and referred TO the Committee
on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on
Finance. reported back adversely the
bill authorizing the Secretary OF the
Treasury 10 override and reverse the de-
cisions OF all inferior officers Of the Urea
sury Department III relation to matters
ofaccount. Indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Hoar, from the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, reported reso-
luton authorizing that committee and
any subcommittee thereof to continue
the Investigation (ordered last SESSION.
into events alleged to have taken place
in the State Of Texas and set forth III
the petition of Stephen Hackworth and
others. Referred to the Committee on
Contingent Expenses.
The remainder of the day session was
spent in the consideration Of the bill to
incorporate the Washington Cable Elec-
tric railway of the District of Columbia.
The bill was finally laid aside informally,
and the Senate after voting down the
motion 10 adjourn over until Monday,
proceeded to executive business, and at
$50 adjourned
Shortly after going into executive SEES
sion the injunction OF secrecy upon the
fisheries treaty was removed and the
document was given to the public. The
Senate afterwards debated for more than
an hour the policy OF having the treaty
considered with open doors.
SO radical a departure from the time
honored precedents awakes bitter oppo.
sition. but there have been a number OF
influential converts to the open-session
movement since the late action on the
/ British extradition treaty, and senators
who have never before favored the move
meut now openly declare that they car
no longer endure the present conditions,
and predict that secret sessions, except
/ where an affirmative reason exists tor Sc
crecv, will not last three months longer
The Senate adjourned without actor
today. but enough was said to show
that majority of the senators are IN ia
vor of discussing this treaty at least Will
open doors.
House of Representatives.
Mr.. Wilkins, Of Ohio, from the Com
mittee on Banking and Currency, re
ported a resolution calling on the Score
/ tarv of the Treasury for information a.
to the number of steam-pOwer presses
used in plate printing in the Bureau O
| Engraving and Printing whether they
are owned by the Government; II not
from whom they are leased and th'
amount Of royalty paid, and the reason
why the Government is not the owne
of the presses; the number Of hand
plate presses used, and whether the worl
performed by the steam presses is equa
in quantity, quality, and workmanship
to that done Icy hand presses. Adopted
The direct-tax refund bill was reported
from the Judiciary Committee. Re
ferred to the Committee OF the Whole
Also, Joint resolution proposing anti
pOlvpamv amendments 10 the CODstitu
ton giving 10 Congress power cOncurren
with the States to enforce It's provisions
Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Breckenridge of Arkansas, from th
Committee on Ways and Means, II
ported bill authorizing the consolida
ton of certain customscollectlon dis
tricts and providing for the compensa
ton of certain collectors and surveyor
of customs. House calendar.
Mr. j. ID. Taylor, of Ohio, INTRODUCED
bill to change the common law OF maj
rage 10 the customs of modern civiliza
ton by the emancipation of married wo
men in the District of Columbia and tn
Territories. Referred
The House then went into Commute
of the Whole Tor the consideration 0
public building measures. Bills wer
passed providing for buildings at Charles
ton, ". Va, Allentown and Lancaster
Pa.
Pending the consideration Of the bi
for building at Lowell, Mass, by tn
committee the House took no final &C
ton on the bills agreed to in the com
mittee, but at ) o'clock adjourned mt
Thursday.