The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-13
NATIONAL BUSINESS.
What Was Done by Senators at
Yesterdays Congress.
SENATOR PEFFeR'S OPINION.
He Talks About the Indian Territory
Senator stewards Biii Amending Ex-
isting sherman Act-Andrews Intro
troduces q Bill on the banking Laws.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l3-In the Senate,
the certificates of election OF electors for
President and Vice President Of the Unit
ed States were presented from the States
OF New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut and
Ohio, and were placed on file.
Numerous petitions and remonstrances
for and against the passage Of the anti
option bill were presented and referred
to the committee on agriculture. Petit
tions were also presented for the closing
OF the Worlds Fair on Sundays and in
favor Of the construction OF the Nicaragua
canal by the government OF the United
States.
Senator Stewart has introduced q bill
amending the existing Sherman act, SO as
TO provide for free silver coinage and the
coinage of the silver bullion now held in
The treasury, and, In addition, for the
issue of treasury notes based on silver de-
posits, which notes are to be redeemable
In gold or silver coin at the option OF the
government, and are made legal tenders.
Mr.. Hoar from the judiciary committee
reported bill to provide Tor the punish
ment Of offences on the high seas; and it
was considered and passed. II provides
penalties against persons not OF ships
| crew who aid or encourage riots, disor-
| ders or ARRAYS on board an American ves-
| sci at sea; and it does not in any other re-
| spect change the existing law, which ap-
| plies only to the members OF the ships
| crew.
Mr.. Vest (by request) introduced bill
| to encourage the construction OF electric
railroads, to facilitate the rapid transpof-
| tation OF the mails, to promote the inter
ests OF commerce and travel, and to aid in
demonstrating the feasibility OF the
adoption OF electric power for agricul-
tursl and other purposes along the line OF
| electric roads. Referred to the committee
| on commerce.
The Joint resolution introduced by Mr..
| Vest last Tuesday for the appointment
\ OF commission to treat with the five civ
| ilized tribes of the Indian Territory, with
view OF making agreements TO induce
| them to take homesteads in severalty, was
| taken up; and Mr.. Vest made some cor
| rections OF the statement then made by
| him as to court expenses in the territory
| these corrections showing large increases
| OF the figures then given.
| Mr.. PETER advocated the joint resolu-
| tion and declared that the Indian Terri
tory was q refuge for thieves, burglars and
| murderers. There was a very general de-
mand, he said, on the part OF the people
| in the West, land also in the East, thai
the government should take some action,
and take il early, to throw open all the
| unused lands OF the Indian Territory, and
| that the people who need homes should
| GO in and obtain them. He believed that
the time had come for Congress to lay
bold hands on the Indian Territory and
its people.
After a brief debate Mr.. Washburn de-
manded that the anti-option bill should
be taken up. The Indian Territory Joint
resolution was therefore laid aside with
out action and the anti-option bill wa
taken up.
Mr.. Harris criticized the manner In
which the bill was printed, not showing
in differences of type, the bill as passed b.
the House, the amendments as adopted by
the Senate and the amendments that are
now pending, and he suggested reprint
so that the Senate could act intelligently
on the subject. The bill was ordered to
be printed, in the manner suggested by
Mr. Harris, and then it went over till this
afternoon.
The Senate bill. reported at last session
for the allotment of lands among the In
dian tribes in Quepaw agency, Indian
Territory and for the sale OF the surplus
lands OF such tribes, and for the creation
of the counsy Of Cayuga in Oklahoma
was taken from the calendar, amended
and passed. Adjourned.