Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-24
THE SENATE AT WORK,
But the House Does Absolutely Moth
ing in a Whole Day, Except to
MAKE M'MILLIN SPEAKER PRO TEN.
Lot Of Bills Disposed Of by the Upper
Branch of Congress.
NOW CATCHING UP WITH THE CALENDAR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-After the three
days recess of the two Houses the Senators
were not very punctual in their attendance,
for not one-fourth of their whole number
was present when the opening prayer was
offered and the journal of last Friday read.
Among the papers presented and referred
was memorial adopted at convention OF
miners and farmers held in San Francisco,
January q, last, on the subject of hydraulic
mining, and asking an appropriation for the
erection of dams and other restraining works
to prevent debris from injuring navigsbls
rivers. Mr.. Fenton, in presenting 1t, made
few remarks in support of the memorial,
which was referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr.. Sherman offered resolution, which
was agreed TO, calling on the Secretary OF
Agriculture for copy of the report OF the
special agent of the Department of Agricul-
ture on the experiments in the Productlon
of rain.
The resolution heretofore offered by Mr..
Platt, for an investigation by the Commit
tee on Territories into the resources, social
and other conditions, laws, ETC., OF Alaska,
was taken from the calendar and agreed to.
Disposition of a Lot of Bills.
lQe Cal6uuar was LHeu IdACA uP anu DA1As
were disposed of as follows;
House Joint resolution concerning mining
debris in California. Passed
Appropriating 500, 900 for public building
at Bismarck, N. D. Passed.
To fix the compensation OF keepers and
crews of life saving station. Passed. Keepers
of life saving stations, except stations known
as houses of refuge, are to be paid $500 per
year. and members of the crews Of stations
are to be paid s65 per month during the time
no afat
House bill to provide an additional mode
of taking dispositions of witnesses in causes
pending in United States Courts-aIowing
dispositions to be taken under State laws.
Passed.
Senate bill to provide for commission on
the subject of the alcoholic liquor traffic.
Laid aside for the present.
The Senate Joint resolution for an inter-
national bi-metallic agreement was next
taken up, and Mr.. Stewart made some re-
marks upon it, but as the morning hour had
already expired, it went over without
action.
The bill to prevent the adHlteration and
misbranding of food and drugs was taken up
as the unfinished business" and Mr.. Pad
dock, who is in charge of 1t, made some
brief remarks in its support. Mr.. Bate and
Mr.. Coke spoke against the bill Without
action the Senate went into executive ses-
sion and soon adjourned.
Mr. McMiIIin Is Speaker Pro Tenn.
There were not 100 members present when,
at noon, the House was called to order by
Chief Clerk Towles, who stated that owing
to the continued absence of the Speaker on
account of sickness it became incumbent on
the House to elect Speaker pro tenn. On
motion of Mr.. Catchings, of Mississippi,
Mr.. McMillin, of Tennessee, was elected to
perform tine duties of the Chair, and resolu-
tions were adopted providing for the notifi-
cation of the President and the Senate Of
this action.
Mr.. Brown, of Indiana, gave notice that
he would call up the Pennsylvania con-
tested election case of Craig VS.. Stewart
Thursday next.
A few reports were made from committees
and placed on the appropriate calendar, and
the House then adjourned.