New-York tribune., 1891-12-17
PROCEEDINGS N THE SENATE.
IMPORTANT ARMY BILLS INTRODUCED -
NAsuRE EAn 4 NILGA ARA FAILS

| IMPORTANT ARMY BILLS INTRODUCED -
MEASURE For A NIAGARA FALLS
snip CANAL.
| Washington, Dec 16.--The ocpning prayer in the
Senate to-day was offered by the Rev. Dr. Joel Swartz.
| OF Gettysburg, Penn.
| Among the papers presented and referred were
numerous memorials against the Sunday opening OF
the Worlds Fair. Some OF them favored the loan Of
| $5,00Ooo0 on that condition. There were also
memorials in favor OF women suffrage, Of promoting
the efficiency Of the nfeavlnG service, and OF the
| e'ecdon OF nited states senators by the people
Senator Proctor introduced bill TO reorsnnife the
artillery branch OF the Army. that each regiment
shall consist of one colonel. ono Northumberland,
three majors, twelve captains eleven first eutenants,
ten second Heutenants, and tue eulised men, as at
present authorized by law 70 be organized into bnt
talons at the Presidents discretion. IL further pro-
vides that the regiments to he Offered by
the promotion and transfer OF the officers now in the
artillery according to their seniority and that va
cancies remaining in the grpdc of second lieutenant
are 10 be filed at tbc discretion OF the President no
appointment 10 the grade OF first lieutenant 10 he
mnde until the first Deutenants now In Sc vice who
became supernumerary by the organization provided
for in the bill, shall have been absorbed. All promo
tions to be made subject 10 examination, pro-
vlded by the last Congrcss. The President has the
discretion to authorize the enlistment OF such proper
ton of colored for service the interests OF the
service may demand. In time Of war the President
may also, in his discretion. increase the number Of
IeutenantS In any Of the batteries to three four.
Another bill introduced BY senator Proctor to in
crease the efficiency Of the Army authorizes the Pres
dent to apporton the among the several arms
as the good OF the service may require. ard TO
soldate the enlisted assigned 20 AIRY regiment into
such number of companies troops batteries can
be fully ofhcercd by the number OF officers who
usually on duty with the regiment
bill to define the grode of certain medical ofcers
of the Army the subject Of another bill affecting
the service introduced by Senator Proctor. The bill
fixes the grade OF medical officers below the grade OF
surgeon general as follows: Those holding rank OF
colonel assistant surgeon generals those having rank
OF lieutenant colonel to he deputy surecog generals.
Before receiving rank OF captain OF cavalry assistant
surgeons TO be examined provided in act OF last
Congress.
Senator Proctor also introduced bill authorizing the
Secretary OF War, when in his discretion It Will be for
the public good to lease, with the privilege of revokng
the same at any time for period not exceeding five
years, such properly OF the United states under his
control may not for The time be required tor public
and for the leasing OF which there Is authority
under existing law. such leases il Is provided. shall
be reported annually to Congress.
Senator Davis introduced bill tor the construction
OF ship canal around Niagara Falls, In the State Of
New York, for the passage OF merchant and ships
from Lake Ontario TO Lake Erie. The canal Is 10 be
IN Niagara County. In of the routes al
ready surveyed found feasible the Secretary is to
cause surveys plans and estimates to be made for
such canal along other route The Of
81 100000 is appropriated to be applied to the
structon OF the canal.
Among the othr bills introduced were the following:
By Senator GoIman-To pay the State Of New
York S2o,773; Pennsylvania S7l4l1 Delaware S6,341
the City of Baltimore S19,jo0, and south Carolina
S25 297. all TO bear interest from dat,s between
i'm he Of
lima.
BY Senator Alson-Appropriating 100000 for the
establishment Of branch mint at Council Bluffs,
Iowa.
BY Mr.. Dolph-A bill to extend the time for adjudi-
eating certain claims.
The senate, at IL 40 proceeded to executive bust
ness, and confirmed large batch Of nominations.
among tham that of Lorenzo CrOunse, OF Nebraska.
to be an Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury william
d. Owen, of Indiana, Superintendent OF Immigration,
and Francis Hendricks Collector OF Customs at New
York.
At :15 the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.