Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-06
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Proposed by Senator Chandler.
NEW BILLS IN BOTH HOUSES.
The Senate.


The Senate reassembled at noon, after the
holiday recess, with the Vice President in the
chair and with less than quorum of Senators
in the chamber.
Among the numerous petitions presented
and referred were two from Kansas and Texas,
the former urging the selection of Chicago and
the latter of st. Louis as the place for the in
ternational exposition of 1892.
MIR. Platt presented the copy of a constitution
adopted at Boise City for the proposed state
of It aho and it was referred to the committee
on territories.
A bill to Increase the pay of army chaplains
was reported back adversely from the commit
tee on military affairs and was indefinitely post
poLed.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Among the bills introduced and referred we're
the following:
by MIR. Frye-To promote ocean mail service
between the United States and foreign ports
and to promote commerce.; for the encourage
ment OF commerce, the protection of naviga-
ton and the improvement of the merchant ma
rlne, and to amend the law for the regulation
OF steam vessels.
By Mr.. Reagan-To prevent transportation of
merchandise IN bond from the ports and terri
tories of the United States into the republic of
Mexico and to restore that privilege when the
zona libra along the boundary between the two
countries is abolished.
BY Mr.. Cutiom (by request)-Authorizing
the Secretary of the Treasury to loan money to
farmers at per cent.
BY Mr.. Hale-For the appointment and re-
tlrement OF John &. Fremont as major general
III the United States army. tThe bill that
passed the Senate the last Congress-
MR.. CHANDLER's PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT.
By Mr. Chandler-Proposing an amendment
to ba itrIti hot pl,ll
fail to enact or Jeff ectually to enforce laws
against murder and other felonies Congress
may provide for Furnishing those crimes within
such state.
HOSPITAL FOR SOLDIERS AT HOT SPRINGS.
Mr.. Plumb offered a resolution (Which was
agreed to- directing the managers of national
soldiers homes to consider and report upon
the advisability of establishing a hospital at
Hot Springs Ark, to which all disabled ex-
Union soldiers shall be admitted under proper
recommendations.
THE ALASKA SEAL FISHERIES.
Mr.. Plumb also offered the following resolu-
ton, which was laid On the table for further
action:
Whereas, The Secretary of the Treasury
Rtsd Rns bg, PSeI oP ea,as tba saas of
st. Paul and st. George, in the territory of
Alaska, for a period of twenty years; and,
whereas, the law under which said proposal is
issued was passed about twenty years ago and
the circumstances and conditions existing in
Alaska and with reference to the seal industry
have materially changed during that period;
and, whereas, it has been charged, upon the
authority of late governor of Alaska, that the
Alaska commercial company, now occupying
said islands under lease from the government
has exercised its privileges oppressively and
against the interests of both the natives and
the government and. whereas, said company
claims that it is the only person or organi-
cation which successfully compete for
the lease invited by the Secretary of the Treas
ury. as aforesaid, and there is every reason to
believe that under present legislation and con-
ditions the lease proposed will be made to said
Alaska commercial company substantially with
out competition; therefore,
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treas
ury be requested not to make a new lease Of
said island until further action by Congress, or
until the latest period made necessary by ex-
listing law, and that meanwhile he
make full report to the Senate as
to the manner in which the said Alaska COM
mercial company has discharged its duties and
obligations under the present lease and also
what additional legislation, if any, is necessary
in order that the interests of the government
and those of the natives and citizens of Alaska
NAV be more fully prOtertpI