Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-25
CONGRESS AT WORK.
Both Houses Buckle Down to Business
in Earnest.
LAND COURT BILL In SENATE.
The Atkinson Bill Knocks Out Dis.
trict Business in the House.
AND FORFEITURE BILL IN THE HOUSE.
SENATE.


House bill to provide for the establishment
OF port OF delivery at PEORIA ILL.,, was re-
ported by Mr.. Cullom from the committee on
commerce and passed.
CoSFEREEs on THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The request of the House for a conference
on the deficiency bill was complied with, and
Messrs. Hale. Allison and CockrelI were ap-
pointed conferees on the part of the Senate.
Mr.. Plumb reported Senate joint resolution
authorizing the extension for one year OF the
time OF payment for land on pre-emption or
homestead claims whenever by reason of fall
nre OF crops, the settler is unable to make pay
ment within the time prescribed by law, and it
was passed.
NICKEL FOR THE NAVY.
Mr.. Butler asked Mr.. Hale if he had reported
joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of
the Navy to purchase nickel for the use Of the
government
Mr.. hale-Ihe Senator refers. presume, to
JOINT resolution which introduced yester-
day authorizing the Secretary of the Navy. in
certain emergencies which now exist. to pur-
chase nickel and nickel matte to be used in the
construction OF the new ships The resolution
was referred to the committee on naval affairs
winch held meeting yesterday and which in
structed me, unanim ously, to report it to the
Senate
have no doubt that the Senate will pass it
as soon as 1t Is reported, and had intended to
mako the report this morning. But / am i'll
formed that the House is likely to pass a like
JOINT resolution this morning. and under these
conditions thought it advisable to withhold
the report TOR short time, SO that il the House
resolution comes to the Senate 1t can be taken
up and passed, thus giving TO the House the
Opportunity Of 1t be SO inclined) TO pass il first.
But will not delay long.
Mr.. Butler-It is a matter of much import
ance and hope that the Senator from Maine
Will not lose sight OF it.
Mr.. HaIe-No, will not DELAY il.
CONVICT LABOR BILL
The calendar was then taken up under rule
8, the first bill upon it being House bill to pre-
vent the product of convict labor from being
furnished to or for the use of any department
OF the government and to prevent the product
OF convict labor from being used upon public
buildings or other public works.
Mr.. Cockrel asked whether the bill would
apply to the products of the military prison at
Leayenworth.
Mr.. Blair could not say whether 1t would or
not. He did not want to be subjected to ex-
mination as a student. But he wanted the bill
to be passed; and the American people wanted
1t passed.
Mr.. Harris said he would end the contro-
versy. The bill and the two bills following it
on the calendar proposed to go into the gen.
eral question of regulating the labor of the
country. a question of that importance could
not be considered under the five-minute rule,
and he therefore objected to the consideration
OF these bills at this time.
MIR. Blair-Let them be passed over without
prejutlce.
Mr.. Harris-If the Senator from New Hamp-
shire prefers it shall put it in that form But
give him notice that these bills canno. now
or at any other time be considered under the
five minute rule The bills were accordingly
naGcah and fha H. nla,, ID,
was taken up. being House bill to amend IAN
act to prohibit the importation and migration
OF foreigners and aliens under contract or
agreement to perform labor in the United
States, its territories and the District Of Co
lumbia."
Mr.. eoRMAN OBJECTS AND THE BILL GOES OVER.
Mr.. German remarked that the republican
majority had agreed upon an order of business
for the remainder of the session and that the
labor bills had been assigned a place and
would be considered when they were reached
i'll that order. Therefore. with view of hav-
ing fair consideration of each of them
(Which he trusted they would have before the
Senate adjourned he objected to the consider
alton of the bill.
The bill was laid aside without action.
BILLS PASSED.
The following (among others) were passed:
Senate bill to authorize the acquisition of
lands for coke ovens and other improvements
and for right of way for wagon roads. railroads
and tramways in connection with coal mines
Senate bill requiring the United States to de-
fend tho title of homesteads under the laws Of
the United States in all suits where the land is
claimed to be mineral because of phosphate
deposits.
THE UNITED STATES LAND COURT BILL.
The Senate resumed consideration of the
Senate bin to establish United States land
court and to provide for the settlement of
private land claims, the pending question
being the amendment offered byjAIr. WOlcott,
providing that no confirmation shall be made or
patent ;ssued for greater quantity of land
than was given in the original grant.
Mr.. Wol:ott addressed the Senate in favor of
his amendment and against the bill it stood,
which was, he said, unjust, unfair and inde-
fensiple.