The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-04-19
CONGRESS-
An Abstract Of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.



Venezuela and Great Britain concerning their
boundaries, was agreed to.
Senator STwyer introduced q bill TO grant
pension to Mrs. Gen. Ord.
Senator Morrill, made an extended argument
in support Of the present protective system and
against Tie position taken by the President in
his annual message.
The Senate. as in Committee Of the Whole,
resumed consideration Of the bill TO provide Tor
the admission Of the State of Dakota and for the
organization Of the Territory OF Lincoln. Sena-
tor Davis made an argument in favor OF the
bill He said that Dakota became Territory
IN 1861. at a tine when the States which now
oppose her admission were seeding from the
Union. These States resumed their interrupt
ed relations with little delay, but for years THIS
great Northern Commonwealth, for purely
partv purposes. has been denied an equivalent
Justice The rights which her people claim
cannot be denied with decent plausibillty.
They ask FOR rights TO which they are entitled
BY treaty stlpUlatOns between this Nation and
foreign powers and by compact between the
original States and which have been confirmed
by many statutes. They have equities even
more imperative than these legal rights The
Senator recited the provisions Of the treaty OF
cession OF Louisiana, the Ordinance OF lfo';
and the conditions under which several States
and Territories were admitted into the Union,
dwelling particularly npon the irregular way
by which the people Of Tennessee approached
and knocked for admission. Yet, he said, their
admission was supported by such men as Mr.
Madison and others who assisted IN laying the
foundation OF the Government Arkansas came
In in a similar way. and Florida stood upon
the right to be admitted underline terms Of the
treaty with Spain.
In the course Of the debate Senator Davis
said that Ctah is by no means 10 be brought
into contrast with the people Of that Christian
community known as South Dakota. The con-
dition Of things is VIGOROUSLY such in Utah
that we take judicial notice of the fact that
republican form Of Governments is impossible
IN that Territory dominated aud ruled in de-
tail and gross SIS it is by polygamous HER
sTchy which is superior 10 all government,
The bill was laid aside informally upon Sena-
tor Vest asking unanimous consent to take up
the Dill 70 purchase Of the widow and children
Of the late Gen. Shields certain swords 1t was
TIE bin which passed the House some days
before for the benefit Of tie Generals family.
He left small farm in Missouri, and his widow
is supporting herself aud family on a small
pension granted uudcra special act Of Congress.
She finds it necessary 10 sell the swords. which
were presented 80 her husband by two different
States for his distinguished military services.
The House passed the bin unanimously.
There was no objection; the bill was taken up
and passed
Senator Hoar moved to proceed to the con-
sideratiOn OF the bill TO erect a monument 10
Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle Of
Bunker Bill. he delivered a eulogy on Gen.
Warren, and the bill was passed.
Senator Evarts called up the bill to purchase
from Miss Virginia Tayioe Lewis sword Of
Washington. at q cost Of 600. be said that
this is one OF the five swords mentioned by Gen.
Washington, and bequeathed 10 various Of his
relatives The first one is that which is said
10 have been presented to Washington by Fred
erick the Great with the message that II was a
present from the Oldest soldier in the world to
the greatest General in the world, and is now
owned by the State Of New York, which pur-
chased it for the sum Of $4,000 The Com
mittee on Library did not feel at liberty TO
cheaper the sword. If anybody was to cheaper
It. il was not 10 be done by the United States
Of America, and the only proposition It had 10
lag before Congress was whether the United
States should become the owner Of the sword.
Senator Cockrel thought that the price was
eXtravagant.
Senator Hoar reminded him that the Senate
had agreed 10 purchase Gen. Shields's swords
for $4,000
Senator Cockrell said that there was no pre-
tense that the value Of this sword was 500
While the swords or Gen. Shields had an intrin-
SIC value. Their first cost was fully $4,000.
Senator Evarts said that the salable quality
OF the swords should not he taken into consid-
GRAFTON. Unless the sword Of Washington is
in certain sense inestimsble, We should not
buy il az al.
Senator Vest said that he would not vote fol
tie purchase Of the sword at the price named
II was not known that il had been used by Gen
Washington a. ALL
Senator voorhees, said that he would as soor
vote 10 pay 500 600 As any other sum. Itwas no
question Ct money. IL was q sword that Gen
Washington wore upon his person when, after
the close Of such career Of glory as 10 othel
man had In the world, lie surrendered his com
r. Tyr.-
10 the civil authorities Of the Government
was cheap at any price. il was q plain, Ions
blade Of steel, with plain silver handle aaC
guard, but i was hallOwed with such assOcia
tons as belonged 70 10 other man II human
history.
Senator Hoar said that this was the swor
that Washington wore IN what was embodied
IS the greatest act Of his life, IN the laying
down Ais military character which appears il
historical paintings, and is the one single Telii
on tAe face Of the earth which all maukini
would agree 70 recognize as the most valuable
sacred and precious. Let the sword Of tL
Black Prince, the sword OF Napoleon, the crown
# every Emperor or King or Queen who eve
Telgued, Blth the great kOhnoor diamond il
front, be piled ~ together let their none
value be measured by millions upon millions
and they would not have that sacTcdncss, tia
true worth ia the hearts Of the American PED
Pie OF the lovers Of popular rights everywher
Ml4-Cl TINS Single Ee4lc llag : CleEeQ % Us no.
has.
TIE Senate adjourned.
The House met after recess at Il:i5 o
Tuesday and remained IN continuous sessio
until O'Clock on Wednesday evening when
took recess until Il:45 Thursday This va
the longest continuous session ever held in Ii
House since the famous one in the second Sc
sion Of tie z2d Congress, when the Democrat
were resisting the passage OF what is known 9
the force bill. But little was done during th
rs hours Of the session as both sides were wei
ricd Of tie parliamentary tactics which the
had employed, and only occasionally were m
tloEs 10 adjourn and calls Tor the yeas and uay
made. j became simply a question Of physic
endurance Representatives Reed and T.
Taylor who ted the majority remained
their seats continually on the watch Tor an
move on the part Of the opposition, and Repr
seutatiyes Oates Weaver and BTcckiuTidge pc
formed a similar service Tor the minority. IT
rest Of the Members occupied themselves as be
they could, sleeping on the sofas aud ia the
chairs when they were allowed 10 do so. writiI
letters, telling stories and doing anything el
e pass away the weary hours. Before takil
the recess al o'clock d notice was given th
the Democrats would meet in caucus when
was hoped that a way out O. the deadlock mig
be found
The caucus was held in the evening with
fall attendance about l25 Democratic Membe
being present when il was called to ordt
After tie meeting pnpuod penreseufati