Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-01-10
THE NATIONAL SOLONS.


Our National Lawmakers and what They
Are Doing for the Good OF the Country
Various Measures Proposed, Discussed
and Acted On.
MORE than a quorum was present when the
Senate reconvened ON the Sd inst. After the
introduction OF sundry petitions the considers
ton OF the tariff bin was resumed, IL bong taken
mp where IL was left before the holidays The
following memorial was presented and went
National Board OF Trade hereby respectfully
memoralizes your honorable bodies to continue
20 make from time to time ample approprta-
tons for the judtcious improvement OF all prin-
cipal rivers, harbors. and waterways, and
especially TO see that important works OF Inn
provsment already begun may not be stopped
for want Of necessary funds for their continu-
ance and completion thereby mourning waste,
damage. and ultimate increased cost OF the
improvements available. The National Board
OF Trade hereby respectfully memoralizes
your honorable bodies to provide immediate
ly such defenses as will be necessary In the
event Of war TO thoroughly protect our SEA, gulf
and lake coasts and larbors." Senator Hoar in
troduced q resolution (which was adopted) ask
ing the President to transmit to Congress any
correspondence that the United States may have
had with Great Britain concerning the seal hsh-
cries In or near Behring Strait, and especially
as to the seizure OF any vessel of the United
States or other country, and what regulations
governing the fisheries have been adopt
cd by this Government Mr.. Hoar says
that there have been and are still wide
spread complaints OF unjust determinations
against American vessels. Only about seventy
Ave members were present at the opening OF the
House. No committees were ready TO report,
and after the transaction Of minor business the
House went into committe OF the whole ON the
river and harbor bill. lively debate over the
appropriations for Texas improvements fol-
lowed, during which Mr.. Grain (Tex.( twitted
Mr.. Sowden pa with his failure TO be re:
elected and the latter explained that he retired
from Congress from choice. Mr.. Cutcheon (Michl
made an effort to secure an increase OF
approx Ration for the haroor OF refuge az fSrt orr
not MI. Cheadle lind raised the point OF mo
quorum" The House passed bill limiting to
% the fee to agents for securing an increase OF
pension on account OF an increase OF the disa-
bility or for securing a special act OF Congress
In cases where the pension may be obtained I'M
der the general pension laws.
THE Senate disposed of three and one-half
pages OF the tariff bill on the 81 inst The prin-
cipal discussion was in regard to the duty on
cotton thread. Mr.. Vests amendment, which
defeated and hs moved TO make ths
rate on spool cotton Al per cent. ad
valorem instead OF cents per dozen spools,
from the testimony OF IL aiding spool-cotton
manufacturers in 10 to show that they aske1 a
less rate OF protection in 1884 than in 1882. Mr..
Aldrich said that prior to 1867, when the first
adequate duty was placed on it, oil the spool
cotton in the Untel States was made abroad,
and it sold at 70 cents q dozsn spools at whole
sale and 10 cents a spool retail. Now % per
cent was made in the United States, and
1t sold at As cents dozen wholesale
and cents n spool retail The rate
proposed by Mr.. Vest would make a difference
OF but cents dozen spools, which would not
60 to the benefit of the working women but
would benefit the New York importer After
further discus sion the amendment was rejected,
and the Senate adjourned. The House accom-
plished absolutely nothing at its session. Mr..
a resolution suspending the privileges Of
pension days, the object being to prevent
the opponents OF the Union Pacific funding
measure and the Oklahoma bill from filibuster-
ing against an attempt to pass these measures
under suspension of the rules introducing
voluminous rules under the call OF States, and
consuming the day by the demand for their
reading In full. Mr.. Reed refused to allow any
debate on the resolution and demanded the
pre- p5syi1ps question but Mr. anderson kas led
voted, though a call OF the House showed the
presence OF III members, eight more than
quorum. An effort was made to postpone ac-
ton, and allow the river and harbor bill to be
taken up, but Mr.. Reed refused to withdraw
without promise that there would be no hli-
clustering against the resolution. The oppose
tion declined to commit themselves, and, after
waiting till 1915 for the Sergeant at-Arms to
drum up absenJees, the House adjourned.
Mr.. SHERMAN, from the Committee on For
eign Relations, reported resolution to the Sem
ate the 4th inst, which was agreed to, calling
on the President for correspondence and infor.
nation touching recent occurrences in the
island OF Haytl, Dotn as relates 10 the state OF
the Government there and to the seizure and
of the American vessel, the Hay
tian Republic he also reported back favorably
Mr.. Edmunds joint resolution as to the Panama
canal The resolution placed on the calen-
dar. Mr.. Stewart offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, instructing the Committee
on Private Land Claims to inquire and ascer-
tain what prosecution or suits have been
instituted or authorized as to patents for
Mexican private land grants in California,
at whose instance, and for whose benefit
such suits have been instituted or authorized
what private counsel have been employed to
assist In the prosecution the terms and condi-
lions of their employment, and what interest
the United States Government has in such SUITS
with power to send for persons and papers. The
House, by vote Of yeas 157, nays 49, passed
the Senate bill to incorporate the Nicaragua
Canal Company. All the amendm ents adopted in
committee OF the whole were accepted, except
that offered by Mr. Baker ILL., CRYING the right
TO the United States to purchase the property at
any time by paying the actual cost with per
cent. interest As amended tho bill absolves
the United States from all liability ON account
of the company, and q ures that this proviso
shall be printed on all bonds and other obliga-
tions provides that no stock shall. be issued
until 10 per cent. has been paid in in cash that
no bonds in excess OF the amount Of capital
shall be issued until such paid capital shall
amount to IS OO0, 600 and reserves to Congress
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