Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-04-10
THE ACTS OF CONGRESS.
sUCCINCT SUMMARY OF Al WEEKS
LEGISLATIVE WORK.

les Discussed by the National Body OF
Law Makers.
In the senate on the 1st the house bill
authorizing the Mississippi river commits
sion to purchase or hire such boats as may
be Immediately necessary to rescue the
inhabitants Of the overhowed districts,
and to use the boats for that purpose
was laid before the senate and passed inn
mediately. Among the bills reported from
committees and placed on the calendar was
one directing the secretary of agriculture
to cause to be made all necessary field ex-
aminations, surveys and experiments with
reference to irrigation by overflow
waters between 81 degrees west longitude
and the foot hills of the Rocky mountains.
An executive session was held, after which
theIsenate adjourned.
In the house on The 1st resolution was
adopted, reciting that it is alleged by the
attorney general that in many United
States district courts the practice of sus-
pending sentences after convection in Grim
inal cases prevails without warrant OF laws,
and that in some parts of the country
United States district attorneys, marshals
and deputies and United States commis-
sioners have been guilty of mal-admlnis-
tration and corruption in Office,
and directing the committee on
judiciary to inquire into the ex-
tent, cause and effect of such illegal prac-
tice. On motion Of Mr.. Payson, of Illi-
nois, the senate bill was passed creating
the Office OF surveyor general in North and
South Dakota. The bill passed exempt
ing from the provisions Of the law re-
ouiring steamers to carry life lines on
all craft plying in inland waters of
the United States. The bill passed
authorizing the construction of a
bridge across the Iowa river at or
near Wapello, Ia; also the bill transfer
ring from Galena, H., to Dubuque, Ia,
the Office of inspectors of hulls and boil
ers. The house then went into committee
of the whole. Mr.. Payson, of Illinois, in
the chair, on the fortifcation appropria-
ton bill. On motion of Mr.. Cheadle,
and after some argument, an amend
ment was adopted providing that
the board created to inquire into
the facilities for producing steel forg-
ings for high power guns shall also extend
their inquiries to the indianapolis arsenal.
The committee then rose and the bill
passed without division, the amount ap-
propriated heina 4,521 ,678. The national
geological park bill, providing for park
in the District Of Columbia, passed. The
death of Representative WILDER was an
nounced, and the house adjourned.
In the senate on the I'd the conference
report on the urgent deficiency bill was
presented and agreed to. The senate then
proceeded to consideration of the Montana
election cases. Senator Hoar stated the
case on the part of the majority
of the committee, the whole matter
turning upon the question whether the
one set of delegates who voted with the
twenty five republican delegates for Saun-
ders and Powers were legally elected from
Silver Bow county, or whether the other
set (who voted with the twenty-four demo-
Gratis for Clark and Maginnis) were legally
elected delegates. Senator Gray, repre-
senting the minority of the committee,
made statement in support Of the claim
that Clark and Maginnis were entitled to
seats. Without action the senate, after
receiving the announcement of the death
of Representative WILDER, adjourned.
In the house on the I'd the bill passed
amending the act to aid vessels wrecked or
disabled on waters coterminous to the
United States and the Dominion of Can
ada. The bill authorizing the construc-
ton Of bridge and approaches at New
York city across the Hudson river, to regu-
late commerce over such bridge between
the states of New York and New Jersey
and to establish such bridge as a military
and post road, passed. The Idaho admis-
sion bill was taken up. This was dis
cussed at length and without action went
over. Adjourned.
In the senate on the Sd Senator Blair, at
his own request, was excused from further
service on the committee on public lands,
and Senator Pettigrew was appointed
in his place. The senate bill
passed to enable the secretary of
the treasury to gather authentic
information as to the present condition and
preservation of the fur sealing interests of
the government in the region of Alaska as
compared with its condition in 1870; also
full information as to the impending e.
tinction of the sea otter Industry. Upon
the announcement by the vice. president of
his intended absence for sevetal days SEN
ator Ingalls, was elected to fill the chair and
took his seat. The senate bill appropriat-
ing $75, 900 for a public building at Aurora,
H., passed. After executive session ad-
journment was taken.
In the house on the Sd on motion of Mr..
Hit, of Illinois, from the committee on
foreign affairs, the senate concurrent reso-
luton was agreed to, requesting the presi-
dent to invite from time to time, as seemed
fit, negotiations with every government
with which the United States may have
diplomatic relations, to the end that any
difference or disputes arising between the
governments which cannot be adjusted by
diplomacy may be referred to arbitration.
The bill was passed amending the arti-
cles of war SO as to provide that when pun
lshment on a conviction for military Of
fense is left with court martial the pun
ishment in time of peace shall not be 10
excess of the limit prescribed by the presi-
dent. Also the senate bill amending the
articles of war SO as to provide that
no person shall be tried or punished
by court martial for desertion in time
Of peace committed more than two years
before arraignment, unless the person shall
in the meantime have absented himself
from the United States. The house re-
sumed consideration of the Idaho admis-
sion bill. After discussion, the bill recur-
ring on the passage of the bill, the demo-
Gratis refrained from voting. One of the
reading clerks was busily engaged in
noting down the names of demo-
Gratis present and refusing to vote. The
| democrats say they intend to make this a
test case and have the courts pass upon
the constitutionality of the rules allowing
the speaker to count quorum. 1t had
been intended to make one of the con-
tested election cases test case; but as this
could be done only by a suit for salary
was abandoned and the present action de-
cided upon. The bill passed yeas, T29;
nays, (Mr. Buckalev), the speaker count-
ing quorum. Adjourned.
The senate was not II session on the
4th.
After the reading Of the journal the
house on the 4th proceeded to considera-
tion Of the various private pension bills.
Private pension bills to the number Of five