Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-20
Fify-First Congress--First Session.
AsHrNGToN, Dec.

l SENATE.-The House concurrent resolution
 for holiday recess from Saturday next till 1 Monday, January 6, was concurred in. MT. Hoar, from the committee on privileges and elections, reported back adversely the joint resolution introduced by MT. Blair for District of Columbia representation in tho two houses and the electoral college, and asked that it be indefinitely postponed. Mr. Blair remarked that many citizens of the District were preparing to be heard and the joint resolution was therefore placed on the calendar.
 Among the bills introduced were the fol- lowing:
 By MT. Frye-To place the American mer- chant marine in the foreign trade on an equality with that of other nations.
 By MT. Cullom-To provide for celsbrat- ing the Tooth anniversary of the discovery of
 America by an exposition of arts, industry,
 manufactures and products in 1899.
 By MT. deorge-To permit States to tax national bank notes and United States notes.
 MT. Chandler called up the resolutions offered by him some days since in regard to organizations among naval officers to inhu- ence Congressional legislation and made @ statement on the subject. He desired, if levied upon and induced, or compelled to pay money (which they could poorly spare) for the purpose of influencing legislation.
 He said that year or two ago Thomas Cowie, passed assistant psymaster in the navy, prepared bill for the increase of the rank and pay of officers of the navy. It was 8 very comprehensive bill. It increased the rank and pay of all the officers of the navy. It contained no feature of economy what ever. There was no reduction anywhere. It
 was an increase all along the line. That bill had not been introduced in either House, but it had been fitting around privately in print. In connection with that bill there had been movement organized to secure money from naval officers. That movement had taken of those circulars MT. Chandler sent to the clerks desk and had 1t read. It was from MT. Cowie and was dated Dec. 2, 1889. It stated that Mr. John H. Thomas of Illinois had been engaged as attorney to take charge of and advocate the passage of a bill framed by him for the reorganization and equalization of the pay of the personnel of the navy, and it expressed the hope that all the officers would respond promptly to Mir. Thomas communications. In connee- ton with this circular one from MT. Thomas himself was sent to the clerks desk and read. It is also dated December 3, 1889, and states that he has been requested to act in the matter; that expenses must necessarily be incurred, and that time and labor must be devoted to the work, and that his (Mr. Thomas) acceptance of the proposition de~ pended upon it's approval by the officer ad- dressed upon his sending retaining fee of ! $5 and signing a contract (of which form was sent to pay g contingent fee of ten per ! cent. on the increase of the pay for one year. MT Chandler added that there were fifteen hundred naval officers, and this attempt
 to get them into the movement had taken | an extremely offensive shape. He sub- l mitted to the Senate that it was an extreme ! ly objectionable and discreditable attempt | to influence legislation. He did not believe that such contract. even if entered into, | would be legally binding, but at any rate it was 8 contract which would absolutely para 1 lyze the committees of Congress who would have the bill under consideration.
 MT. McFherson defended the action of Paymaster Cowie and said that if that officer had discovered method by which the pay | of officers of the navy could be capitalized to the satisfaction of all the naval officers, he
 should be regarded as public benefaotor. | After further discussion by Senators But
 Ter, Cockrell and Call the resolution was
 agreed to. MT. Morgan said he would ex- plain tomorrow his object in offering yester- day the resolution in regard to the indepen-
 denoe of Brazil, and to the existence and per.
 manency of the republic established there.
 Mr. Mitchell offered an amendment to the
 Pacific railroad funding bill, which was re-
 ferred to the select committee on that sub- ject. He explained that the bill itself was
 confined to the Union Pacific and it.
 branches, and that his amendment applied
 to the Central Pacific and it's branches.
 The Senate then proceeded to the consider
 ation of executive business.
 After the doors were reopened messages ! were received from the House announcing tht
 deaths, during the recess, of Representative
 Lsdd of Nebraska, Townshend of Illinois ani Cox of New York.
 Resolutions expressive of the regret of tn,
 Senate were offered by Senators Manderson
 Cullom and Evarts and were agreed to, ani
 as further mark of respect to the deceased
 the Senate at 4:30 adjourned till tomorrow