The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-26
CONGRESS.
An Abstract Of The More Important
Proceedings Of Both Houses.


"WEDNESDAY EEb. 10
Ia the Senate a number OF pension bills were
taken from the calendar and passed, including
bills increasing the pensions Of the widows Of
Gen Custer, Admiral Wilkes and Gen. Daniel
Ullmn to 500 n month. The first was q
House bill. all the others are Senate bills.
When the bin TO give 500 a month to Mrs.
Custer was read Mr. Plumb KAN inquired il
MT Davis lMInB,), Chairman OF the Committee
on Pensions had considered the question Of
increasing the pensions of the widows OF pri-
waite sold iers.
Ar. Davis informed him that when he (Mr
Plumb introduced bill 10 that effect II would
be considered.
Mr. Plumb ] wish to know what the COM
mittee has done on that subject
Mr Davis. The committee las not had any
occasion 20 express an opinion upon it.
Mr. Plumb. Thgl, am bound 20 suppose
that the widows OF private soldiers have not
yet come within the puryiew Of that commit
Gee.
The copyright bin was then considered in
Committee OF the Whole. The bill was dis
cussed AZ length, and great many amend
ments adopted. The committee rose, and the
bill, as amended, was passed by vote Of SO
yeas 10 ID nays.
A committee was asked for on the disagree
ing votes OF the two Houses on the bill, aud
Messrs Platt Hscock aud Gray were appointed
eOnierees on the part OF the Senate
The bill for the erection Of new custom
house in the city OF New York was, on motion
Of Mr.. EvRrts IN. y. taken from the calendar
and passed.
The senate then proceeded 70 the consideTa-
sion Of the substitute for the payment aud ad-
publication of claims arising from Indian depre-
dations. Without reaching a conclusion, the
Senate took recess "a 6 p. m.
quorum of Senators did not appear ut the
evening session, and the Senate adjourned at
$40 p, M.
In tho House. tie Sneaker being unwell. Mr.
pGys0n an. was elected Speaker pro TEN.
conference was ordered on the District Of
Columbia appropriation bill aud on the Mill
tRry Academy appropriation bill.
The House then proceeded 20 the cOnsiders-
tion Of the Indian appropriation BILL and after
short debate the bin WAS passed.
az House then went into Committee Of the
Whole on the postniice appropriation bill. The
bill consumed the day session.
The House adjourned mt $3.50 p. m.
THURSDAY, Fer. 10.
ln the Senate bill TO increase the pension
OF Gen. w. III. Powell 10 So per month was
ported from the Committee on Pensions and
passed.
Mr. Ingalls, Kan made a personal state
mont, saying that four years ago he had been
chosen President Of the Senate pro iemp0re,
and by subsequent elections had been continued
resolution of March u preceding, he was
unanimously designated 10 preside during
future absences OF the President, and at the
pleasure OF the senatc-a function not pre-
viOusiy exercised by any member of the body
during the century OF lie existence
The Senate having been formally notified
that his services here will end with the close of
this Congress in order 10 avoid embarrassment
and tOafiOrd opportunity for deiberatiOn, he ten
dered las resignation as President Of the SEN
ate pro iemp0re, to take effect on the election
OF las successor in office
the bali for the adjudication Of claims aris-
ing from Indian depredat0ns was then taken
mp AZ unfinished business, discussed at length,
several amendments adopted, and passed, and
conference asked for on the disagreeiHg votes
Of tie two Houses. Mcssrs. Moody, Faulkner
bnd Paddock were appointed as c0nfeTrees Oh
the part OF the Senate
MIR Mcpherson IN. j. introduced a bin,
which was referred 10 the Committee ON Pen
tions, giving pension Of s., 500 year to the
widow Of Admiral Porter
The senate adjourned at D. m.
IN the House Senate bill for the relief OF
settlers on certain lands 10 the southern por-
ton Of Iowa, war taken mp aud passed
Dit. Thomas ais called NJ from the Speak
ere table BIZ referring 10 the Court OF Claims
the claim OF the Portland Me- Company grow
bg out 81 ihe construction Of the doublc-ended
hlcaNtFr hEhWaU HuU fOutuWslc.
Dir Springer Ill., moved It's reference 10 the
Committee on War Claims, and, after an 8rgu-
ment by Mr. Thomas IN support of The measure
MF Springer claimed the floor.
Tie Speaker decided that Mr. Springer was
not entitled 10 the floor aud obstructive tactics
we've INDUCED in which consumed great deal
OF time.
The House then went into Committee OF the
Whole on the Postofice appropriation bill
Il Fr4ar srf l. 81. u
journod until p. M. this evening.
For the FIRST time in the history Of the House
that body held TWO distinct legislative sessions
during tic same calendar day. Acting la ac-
cOraauce with a resolution adopted Two DAVIS
ago, the House met al O'Clock this evening
f0r tho consideration Of the immigration bill.
The Chaplain was not present, but The proceed.
ings were preceded by the reading Of the Jour
ma and its approval. This action Is. however,
considered 10y parliamentary authorities 40 be
Irregular and II may lie that tie question will
be rtiaad % it, legality
Tho immigration bill was then considered
bet without making much progress the House
adjourned a. l015 p. On.
FIDhY, FIR. 90
IN the Senate, after the transaction OF routine
morning business, Mr. Davis MINI moved
tnAt the Senate proceed 10 the consideration Of
pension bills unogectcd o.. There were 100 OF
these passed. Among them was one giving a men
siou.oi $50 month 10 the widow of Rear AZ.
mlral ciccdnlan one increasing the pension ol
brig. -Gcn. Landram, OF Kentucky, a. $50. one
increasing the pension Of a widow of a soldier OF
sue waT OF 1872, aud one giving a pension Of
81 month % Mary Morgan Edison, Of Yer.
mont, az Of Whose sous had served ia tht
Union army ia tho war Of the rebellion. AL
these were House bills
The Senate then proceeded 10 the considera
tion Of the Nicaragua canal bill. giving Tie
guarantee 81 Tie United States Government 4
tie company aper cent bonds 10 tho amount
81 Si9J0a00J0
Tho bill having been read IN fun. Mr.. Ia.
mundB lht.l said that in the necessary abgeuc,
al the Chairman 81 the Committee on Forcign
Relations Mr.. Shermany ID was his dutv I,
take charge Of the bill for the time being. IN,
subject Was not q new one The National i'm
p0rtanoc Of having the kind Of interest IN IL,
hicamguH canal which the bill provided fol
bad been fully discussed ia the Senate two OF
three years ago
hT. Vest lMo.) and Mr.. Davis Mimi on
pea q the measure aud hr. Morgan ala a1t
BIZ. Edmuuds vt argued iu It's favor With
cut action upon the bin, the Senate, after ,
short executive session, adjourned al y. m.
la tie House, tie exceptional action of hold
sag two sessions yesterday on the same calen
dar day gave rise 10 some confusion as /,
which journal should be read.
a brief debate arose. during which Nj
Springer llll.l remarked that this proceed ini
Mas in line with the unprecedented characte
OF this session.
The speaker The language Of the gentle