Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-08-04
WHAT coNeREss DID.

By the first session OF the Fifty-second
Congress.
WASHINGTON, Aug. IA review Of the
work OF the rifty-sccond congress,
which was In session eight months, may
prove OF interest at this time.
Tho house devoted the first two
months OF It's session 10 the discussion
and adoption Of code Of rules, after
which the regular business was taken
up. Bills b. the number OF 0,617 have
been introduced In the house and re-
ferrcd to committees OF this number
2.115 have been reported and placed on
the calendar, about $50 of which have
passed the house. The most important
measure considered by the house, ex-
ccpting the general appropriation bills,
were the silver bill, the tariff measures
reported from the ways aud means
committee, the Chinese exclusion act,
the intermediate" and army nurse
pension bills, the bill to enforce rccip-
rocal commercial relations with Canada
the bill increasing tho pay of life
saving crews, 10 establish lineal promo
tion in the army, for the better control
Of national banks in regard to loaning
ulDntl W hlNNNNNIh Ahb OAlANthHf anu W
add the name of the secretary of agri-
culture TO the cabinet officers who may
act MS president in certain contingent
cies This bill and the silver bill failed
In the house, os did also the free coin
age bill which passed the senate. The
several tariff bills passed by the house
failed in the senate, as did also the bills
providing for the admission of New
Mexico and Arizona as states.
of the 3,492 bills introduced in the
senate 1,1O2 were reported upon by
committees and 200 of them passed.
Among the most important measures
passed by the senate and not acted upon
by the house were the following. To
facilitate the claims for arrears of pay
and bounty for the construction of
revenue cutters, two each; the "pure
food" bill; the bill 10 increase the
ate Of pension for certain cases
Of deafness; to fix the price OF lands en-
tered under the desert land laws; to au-
thorize the secretary of war to cause
survey 10 be made for a ship canal from
Philadelphia across New Jersey TO New
York bay and the bill for the immigra-
tion laws A large number of public
building and claim bills passed hy
the senate also failed in the house.
One hundred and three bills have
passed both houses and been sent
to the president for his sigma
ture. There are twenty OF these
bills still under consideration by the
executive. One has been returned to
the house by its request without sign
ing; two have been vetocd-the bill to
amend the organizing of the circuit
courts of appeals so as to give IL juris-
diction of certain Indian cases and tho
bill referring the McGarrahan claim to
the court of private land claims Three
have become laws without the presi-
dents approval.
Investigations were a feature of this
congress, especially in the house, and
committees devoted much time to them.
The pension Office received the atten-
ton of a special committee, which re-
ported mismanagement of the bureau
under the administration of Commits
sioner Raum, and reported 10 the
house that the president be or
dcred to dismiss that official at an
carly day. They also criticised Russell
B. Harrison, the presidents son, for
his connection with securing leases
through the public parks The COM
mittee on judiciary looked into a matter
called 10 its attention by the attorney
general that marshals and clerks
of United States courts in Boston were
obtaining illegal fees in naturalization
cases They reported several bills to
remedy the evil The committee on
banking and currency was ordered TO
investigate the failure OF the
Keystone and Spring Garden
National banks of Philadelphia and
of the Maverick National bank Of Bos-
ton. The committee took a mass of
testimony but did not complete their
inquiry. The committee appointed to
investigate the census Office began their
work late In the session and finally
postponed II until next session. The
committee on reform in the civil ser.
vice investigated the Baltimore post
Office matter and filed a feport
severely criticising Postmaster-Gen-
eral WanamalSer, stating that he
knew that the employees were
violating the law, yet he still kept them
in office. The investigation into the So
called sweating system" Of contract
labor was conducted by sub-commit-
tee of the house manufactures commit
tee. II did not finish taking testimony
and will probably resume its session
during the recess of congress- Senator
Chandler and Representative Stump,
chairman of the senate and house
committees on immigration, vigor-
ously Investigated the expenditures
Of money at the Ellis Island
emigrant station and the construction
of the buildings there. This investiga-
tion was attended by several exciting
scenes between the two chairmen and
Assistant Secretary Nettleton and the
principal witnesses. Majority and mi
nority reports were made 10 the house.
but too late for action. No report was
made 10 the senate. Chairman Chandler
finding himself opposed by the other
republican members of the committee
in his conclusions from tie evidence
and not inclined 10 join the democrats
In their directions
Great Crops In Dakota.
YANKTON. s. d.. Aug. l.-IIarvpstinJ