Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-03-29
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The Latest Doings in the Field Of Federal
Legislation and Politics
The Week In Congress.
THE SENATE.

Mr.. Voorhees, presented a resolution re-
lating to the depression of the agricultu-
raj interests, and followed it up bya
characteristic speech, introducing a topic
that is likely to lead to considerable dis
cussion.-The House bill on. r. 346A
10 grant right of way to the Kansas City,
and Pacific II. r. through the Indian
Territory was taken up and passed. -
The bill for the irrigation of the lands In
the Rio Grande Valley Is. 1644) was taken
up and discussed, and went over.----<A.
number of public building bills were
taken up, considered, and passed, and
also several special pension bills
Under the previous agreement, the bill
TO aid in The establishment and temporary
support of common schools Is. 1867, pop
ularly known as the Blair bill, came up
for final action. This bill has occupied
the attention of the Senate for greater
or less time, almost daily, since the OPEN
ing of the session, and has attracted o.
large degree of attention, nearly every
member of the Senate having given his
views upon it at length. The bill pro-
Vided, in general terms, for the distribu-
ton of ST., 900, 900 to the different States
and Territories to aid in the establish
ment and support Of public schools there
in, for period of ten years, such money
to be divided and paid out in proportion
to the number of children of school age
In said States and Territories who cannot
write, according to the census of 1880.
until the illiteracy returns Of the census
- oh. ell -
tho basis of that census. The bill had
been adopted at two preceding sessions Of
the Senate, but failed in the House. The
final vote, after the most exhaustive dis
cussion the measure had yet received, was
unfavorable to the bill, it being defeated
by vote of 81 yeas to 81 nays. --Sena-
tor Sherman called up his bill Is. y to
declare unlawful trusts and combinations
in restraint of trade and production.
The committee on finance reported an
amendment which In general makes un-
lawful all combinations to prevent free
competition in the importation, transpor,
tation or sale of articles imported into
this country, or in articles of growth,
production or manufacture of any State
or Territory OF the United States with
similar articles in any other State or Ter
ritory, and provides for prosecution in.
the name of the United States, and that
any person or corporation injured by
such trust or combination may sue for
damages in twice the amount Of damages
sustained and costs of suit. Other amend
ments were offered, but, as the above is
accepted by Senator Sherman, 1t consti-
tutes the basis of the proposed legislation
which is likely to lead to general Do
bate. Senator Sherman spoke at length
In support of the bill. A general running
debate followed, Senator Vest arguing m
favor of revising the tariff on articles
which are made the subject of trust COM
binations. Messrs. Allison and Teller fob
lowed with arguments in favor of the
bill.-The urgent deficiency bill was
discussed and passed after various amend
ments mad been adopted. The Senate
committee on elections reported in favor
of seating the Republican Senators from
Montana.