Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-17
The Senate.

tell now about it, As justification for
the expenditure he stated that the
appropriations for the public printing for the
present fiscal year were 300 600 less than for the
previous year, and S405, 600 less than had been
asked for. So that, as compared with previous
expenditures, the printing Office had not been
running in an extravagant way. The commit
tee had found that 1t was simply q case where
the work would be stopped II the deficiency
were not provided.
The bill was passed
Mr. Aldrich, from the committee on rules,
reported resolution (Which was agreed to }
authorizing the sergeantat-a to appoint
from time to time such special deputies as he
may deem necessary to serve processes or to
perform other duties devolved upon him.
CoLoREp BABIES.
Mr.. Hoar offered a resolution (Which was re-
ferred to the com mittee for the District of Co.
lumbia) instructing that committee to inquire
whether adequate provisions are made in the
District for colored foundlings and other col
ored infants.
INFORMATION WANTED AS TO ORGANIZATIONS OF
NAVAL OFFICERS.
Mr.. Chandler offered o resolution calling on
the Secretary of the Navy for information as to
whether organizations not expressly authorized
by the Secretary of the Navy exist among naval
offlcers for purposes not merely literary or
sclentifc and If so, what are the objects of such
organizations and what officers are members of
them; whether such organizations embrace only
one branch of the naval service and are de-
signed to protect and advance the special inter-
ests OF that branch; whether any of them has
been organized for the purpose of influencing
congressional legislation; whether sums of
money have been paid or contracted for to in
fuence legislation, and whether such organiza-
tons are compatible with proper discipline.
Mr.. Hale asked that the resolution be laid
over.
Mr.. Butler suggested that the better course
would be to refer 1t TO the committee on naval
affairs.
Mr.. Hale-Let it lie over for day, 90 that
ii may be examined.
The resolution was laid over.
MIR. Henderson offered q resolution (Which
was agreed to- calling on the Secretary of the
Interior for information as to the disposition
Of lands comprised within military reservations
tn ithave been relinquished by the War depart
ment
cHRrsrMAs MONEY FOR coSoREssMEN.
The House joint resolution to pay the officers
and members of both houses their December
salary on the 10th instant was reported back
from the committee on appropriations and
passed.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
OF bills on the calendar, and. after a brief dis
cussion OF the bill to further provide for the
disposal of certain public lands in Alabama (set
apart as mineral lands), that bill was laid aside
till tomorrow.
COPIES OF PENSION OFFICE PAPERS.
Mr.. Mitchell called upa resolution offered by
him last week in reference to the failure of the
pension bureau to furnish him with copies of
certain papers in a pension claim. He sent to
the clerks desk and had read the correspond
ence on the subject ending with a letter
OF yesterday from Commissioner Raum,
stating that the declination to furnish
the copies was based on an old regulation Of
the office, which seemed to be a judicious one
In order to prevent the waste of the effective
working strength Of the Office. Mr.. Raum
however, sent to Mr.. Mitchell, with his letter
copies OF the papers asked for. Mr.. Mitchell
therefore asked to withdraw the resolution. but
expressed his own opinion that any Senator or
Representative or duly authorized attorney of
an applicant or the applicant himself should
have the right to copies of papers connected
Mr.. Platt admitted the abstract right
claimed by Mr.. Mitchell, but gave it as bis
opinion that it would be absolutely impossible
to grant such requests, except in cases where
there was an unusual or extraordinary reason
for 1t.
Mr.. Mitchell-Of which this is one.
MIR. Piatt-I am not intimating that the case
was not an unusual or extraordinary occasion.
But If it were understood tha copies of papers
On lille IN the pension office would be furnished
on application, such work alone could not be
performed by the whole clerical force Of the
Office.
Further remarks on the same subject were
made by MIR. Cockrell, who claimed that with
proper business methods there should be no
delay in the pension bureau, and gave it as his
opinion that there were too many instead of
too few clerks in that bureSU
THE FREE sDELIvERY SYSTEM.
The resolution Wis withdrawn; and then Mr.
Mitchell offered another resolution (Which was
referred to the post Office committee)
calling on the Postmaster General for
estimates Of the increased cost required for the
extension OF the free delivery system to all
towns and cities having not less than 1000 in
habitants and where the gross revenue is at
least %, 1000; also to cities and towns of 5000
inhabitants and with gross post Office reye-
nue. of $1,000.
The Senate then proceeded TO the considera.
ton Of executive business.
House OF Representatives.
In his prayer this morning the chaplain feel
ingly referred to the death of the wife of Mr..
Cannon of Illinois and invoked the Divine pro-
lection on the bereaved husband ana the
motherless children.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced and re-
ferred:
By Mr.. Morrow (Cal ITO grant an American
registry TO the ship Kenilworth.
By Mr.. Dingley lMe.CTo provide commits
sion on the subject of the alcoholic liquor
traffic; also for the erection Of monumeit TO
the memory Of Major Gen. Henry Knox of
Lewiston, Me.
Half dozen bills having been introduced
Mr.. Houk (Tenn.) offered resolution direct
ing the clerk to call the states alphabetically
for the introduction Of bills; but, on motion Of
MIR. Oates (Ala.), the resolution was referred
to the committee on rules..
MIR. Tracy (N.Y.) having previously been
recognised the clerk proceeded to read the
titles Of the bills introduced by him. which
were as follows; To refund duties paid by the
state Of New York ON arms imported in 1868.
To enforce the eighthour Law on government
premises.
Mr.. Bynum Qnd) demanded the reading of
the latter measure, and ~ IL was evident that
no business could be transacted the House, on
motion u NJ. McCreary (Ky.), at 1880 ad- |
tourned until tomorrow.
At New Haven Michael Londergan choked 10 |