The National tribune., 1892-03-17
CONGRESS.
An Abstract of the More Important
Proceedings in Both Houses.
TUESDAY, MARCH s.


mortal from the Chamber of Commerce of Port
Townsend, State of Washington, setting forth
that "the present status of the Berlng Sea seal
fishery works grievous hardship to cur fisher
men by iepriving them of the rights and prlvi-
leces which they enjoy in the North Atlantic
Ocean, in which they are encouraged and pro-
fected bv the Government OF the Unlted
States" The chamber asserts its belief that
the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and
Bering Sea- and all the products to he found IN
those waters should be as free as the waters OF
the North Atlantic. 1t respectfully asks that
some action be taken by Congress by which the
same laws that ate now IN operation on tbe
North Atlantic regarding fisheries be extended
to the waters of the North Pacific Boring Sea,
the Arctic Ocean, and all waters bordering upon
American territory; that the products OF the
omen sea be declared free and open TO all, ana
that American fishermen have the samc rights
in the waters of the North Pacific as those now
enjoyed in tile North Atlantic Ocean.
Mr.. Squire remarked that the petition was
only one of a series of similar ones, and that
the subject was of great Importance. lie moved
lis reference 10 the Committee on Foreign lie
lations and it was so referred.
The calendar was taken up and bills were
acted on as follows:
Joint resolution to provide for an lnterna-
tional bi-metallc agreement. Lald ASIDE "i'h-
out action.
To nrohibit the sale of firearms and ammuni-
ton to Indians residing upon reservations.
Passed.
To pay William W. Burns s7,9S7 for royalty
on 3 1875 Sibley tents Passed
To reimburse Maj. Green Clay Goedloe, Pay
master United States Marine Corps, $1,000 for
public money stolen from him by Benjamin A.
Jones' clerk, who afterward committed sui
eide. Passed.
To nav to the estate of John Ericsson S13930,
balance found due by the Court OF Claims for
Capt. Ericsson's services in planning the Prince
ton and her machinery. Passed.
For medals to the survivors of the Port Hnd-
son torlorn hope storming party" Laid
aside without action.
Fixing al $40 a month the pay of enlisted
men acting as Army Nurses. Passed.
The pure food bill was then taken up. and
several amendments to the bill were adopted.
The bill was then ordered TO be reprinted.
A message was received from the House
announcing the death of representative Ken
dali Mr. Blackburn offered the usual resolu-
tons and the Senate adjourned.
In the House, no business was transacted
after prayer, except the appointment OF COM
mittee 10 accompany the remains OF Repre-
sentative Kendall, of Kentucky, TO his home
in that State, after which the House adjourned
out of respect TO his memory.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9.
In the Senate Mr.. Hale. from the Committee
on Appropriations, reported back without
amendment the agricultural deficiency bill,
and said he would call it up tomorrow.
Mr. Hale from the Naval Committee, re-
ported back the bin introduced By him on the
25th of January TO further increase the Naval
Department. IL was, he said, for the construc-
tion of battle-ships. coast defenses. gunboats,
and eight frst-class torpedo boats. He reported
il back with an amendment appropriating
100000 for experiments IN the development
oFt f,lf In nj
ard torpedoes.
The bill was placed on the calendar.
Among the bills introduced and referred was
one with the following curious title. presented
by Mr.. Cullom lby request: To test and try
the science Of spelling, and TO provide for es-
tablishing 100 schools for that purpose, and to
establish a spelling school in the Worlds CO.
lumbar Exposition to be held in Chicago,
1888"
The resolution to pay West Virginia her
share of the direct tax refund was argued at
length, but without reaching a conclusion
the resolution went over.
The pure-food bill was then taken up, and,
after short debate, was passed.
The Senate then went into Executive Session
of three hours duration, the Bering Sea ques-
ton being under consideration. When the doors
were opened the Senate adjourned.
In the House, at the expiration of the morn
ing hour, Mr. Mcmillan Tenn, d. made
long opening speech on the freewool bill.
Mr. Dingley Me, r. opposed the bill at
length. No conclusion was reached. The Com
mittee Of the Whole then rose, and the House
adjourned.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10.
In the Senate communication from the
President of the United States transmitting a
letter from the Secretary OF the Interior with
en- agreement with the Cherokee Indians Of
the Indian Territory for the cession of certain
lands was presented and referred to the Com
mittee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Hoar presented resolutions of the Massa-
ehusetts Legislature urging on Congress the
enacting Of legislation TO prevent the manufac-
ture of clothing in unhealthy places and its
transportation or sale. Referred to the Com
mittee On Education and Labor
The resolution heretofore offered by Mr.. Nor
gan instructing the Committee on Privileges
and Elections 10 inquire into and report upon
the manner of electing United States Senators
YVES taken up and agreed TO.
Mr.. Teller offered resolution, which was
agreed to. calling on the Secretary Of the Treas
ury for information as TO the amount of Treas
ufy notes issued under the provisions of the
act Of July IA, $780, the amount ofsilrer dollars
coined under the provisions of that act; the
amount Of silver bullion now in the Treasury
purchased under the provisions of that act
whether the silver dollars coined under its
provisions are available for the ordinary ex-
peDses OF the Government or are held for the
redemption of Treasury notes; whether silver
dollars or silver certificates have been redeemed
orexchanged for gold, and, so, TO what amount
aud whether silver dollars and silver certificates
that received for public dues are used in
the discharge Of Government obligations, and
II so, what class Of obligations are discharged
by them.
The agricultural deficiency bill was taken up
and passed.
a bill TO amend the act for the relief of GER
tain settlers on public land was taken up and
was, after debate, made the special order for
next Monday.
The Senate bill for the erection OF public
buiidings in towns and cities where the post
office receipts for three years preceding have
amounted 10 $1,000 was taken up and Mr. Vest
offered substitute, which provides for the
erection OF 9SS buildings in towns whose popu-
lafi0n range from 1000 to TO. 600 the maximum
cost of buildings to be $4,000 A long discus
sion ensued, but no conclusion was reached
After short Executive session the Senate
adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Herbert ALA d. report
ed the Naval appropriation bill, which was re-
ferred 10 the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Enl0e Tenn, D. reported bill from
the Committee on Postofiees and Postroads to
reelassify the postal railway clerks.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the frce-wool bill. No conclusion
was reached, and at o'clock the Committee
a rose, and the House adjourned.
FRIDAY, MARCH IL