The record-union., 1891-02-16
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
MUCH BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY
CONGRESS LAST WEEK.
The Silver Question the Topic of Con.
yersation Among Members of
the House.
Special to the REcoRp-uN1os.

pPcCitI W TIE INECORD-ONlON.
WAsHINGT Feb. 15.-The energy
displayed by Congress during the past
week in its action upon the general ap-
preparation bills has resulted in placing
those measures in state Of forwardness
that compares favorably with the record
of the preceding Congress in the short
session.
The copyright bill is the unfinished
business before the Senate. Hale has
stated his intention of calling up the
diplomatic appropriation bill tomorrow,
but the friends of the copyright bill are
confident that their measure which is in
such shape that it cannot consume much
more time, will be brought to final vote
before the diplomatic bill is taken up.
The Republican caucus list of measures
selected for consideration in the intervals
between the discussion of the appropra-
tons bills are as follows: The Indian
appropriation bill, Nicaragua Canal
bill, pure food and Conger lard bin, army
reorganization bill, interstate commerce
| revenue marine bill and Pacific Railroad
| funding bill. How far in this pro-
gramne the Senate may proceed will de-
| pend on the amount of time occupied by
! the appropriation bills in the House.
| 1t is confidently expected that by the
end of the week the general deficiency
bill will be the only one Of the regular
annual bills to be enacted on.
1t is the intention to finish conSidera-
. ton of the Indian bill tomorrow, and it
will be arranged that the Postotfice and
agricultural appropriation bills shall fol-
| low in the order named. The shipping
| bill, which for about two weeks remained
| pending as unfinished business, will
then be again brought up.
| The silver question still remains the
| most absorbing topic OF discussion among
| the melabersof the House, and there is
| constant fear on the part of the conserv-
atiVe members that it may at some un-
| expected time be sprung on the House in
an uniooked-for shape. The silver men
are confident the bill will be reported to
the House before the end of the week
and the Republican caucus which has
| been called for tomorrow may have some
influence on the course TO be pursued in
regard to this measure by the majority.
NO EXTRA SESSION.
New YORK, Feb. IA Tribune Wash
ington special says: There is no founda-
ton for the widely circulated report that
the President intends to call the Senate
together in executive session after March
! 9TH. That is to say, there is no present
necessity for such a call. 1t has been
| said That Blaine has II number of reci-
| procity treaties which he wishes to sub
init to the Senate, and that this body will
| he called together for the purpose of con-
| sidering several additional treaties.
! Those who have circulated those reports
| have overlooked the fact that the treaties
| being made now under the reciprocity
| policy OF the Administration do not re-
quire any action of the Senate. The
| President has full authority under the
Mckinley bill for the negotiation of these
| treaties and his proclamation following
/ the negotiation is all that is needed to Sc
cure their ratification in this country.
/ The coming year Will probably see the
| full completion of reciprocity with all the
| South American countries.
| GENERAL PoRTER's WIDOW.
| It is probable that the widow of Adj
miral Porter Will receive pension OF
/ 5,0c9 a year. She is in feeble health.
and it is feared she viii not long survive
| him.
THE PRESIDENTS TRIP TO CALIFORNIA.
The President intends to make trip to
| California soon after Congress adjourns.
lie has had this journey under con-
/ temptation for some time. He will go
| simply for the purpose of rest and a
change. He will go by the. Southern
/ Louisville. One or two Cabinet officers
may go with him.
There has been no arrangement made
as yet for the journey. The President
has been closely confined during the last
year. The long session of Congress came
/ so close up to the present session that
4 he had little time to get away from the
desk. The sore throat which has troubled
him for the last two or three days is be-
ginning to disappear. 1t has not been
sutiicien. at any time to keep him away
! from his work.