The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-02-17
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
Synopsis of the Business Done In the Two
HOuses

synopsis of the Business Done In the Two
Houses
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10.-The only bust
ness of general interest done by the senate
yesterday was the amendment of the cal
coupler bill so as to require all railways
by Jan. I, 1888, TO have their cars equipped
with automatic couplers and with "grvb-
irons In the ends and sides of cars by July
l., 1895. The bill was not passed.
In the house, after sharp fight a
motion for previous question on vote
setting apart two days to consider the
Sherman act repeal bill was carried-152 to
143-the anti-silver men voting no on the
ground that the purpose of the rule war
to defeat the repeal bill The bill was then
recommitted and is dead for this session
The legislative appropriation bill was
passed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE senate yes
terday agreed to the conference report on
the bill to restore to the public domain a
portion of the White Mountain (Apache)
reservation. After attempts to further
amend the car coupler bill it went over,
the vote to be taken today.
In the house O'Neill of Pennsylvania pre-
sented petition of veterans favoring a
service pension law. The invalid pension
appropriat ion bill was reported. 1t appro-
pirates $l66, 900, 900. 1t was debated, but
no action taken. 1t proposes to transfer
the bureau to the war department.. An
evening session was held which was de-
voted to filibustering and nothing was
done.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.-The senate Sat-
urday passed the bill making it the duty of
all railways to equip their cars with con-
tinuOus brakes operated from the engine,
automatic car couplers and "grab" irons
before Jan. l, 1898. The vote was 70 to 10.
The conference report on the fertilization
bill was agreed to.
The house debated the pension bill all
day, an attempt to limit the talk being sue
cessfully resisted by the Republicans.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-There wasn't a
senator in his seat yesterday when
the chaplain offered prayer and
he prayed without an audience so
far as mortals were concerned, except
the vice president and officers of the body.
A bill to transfer to Illinois the mimic war
ship at the Worlds fair grounds went over
on objection of COckrell, who intimated
that Chicago wanted the earth. The Mic
aragua canal bfll was then taken up and
Frye and Morgan advocated it's passage in
long speeches.
In the house the conference report on the
Notification bill was agreed to and then
District bills were taken up. An attempt
by Pickler to have the sale of intoxicating
liquors prohibited at the inauguration ball
was defeated.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Quay in the SEN
ate yesterday called for report as to
whether any part of the appropriation to
the Worlds fair had been paid under a
modification of the Sunday closing rule,
and gave notice of an amendment to the
Nicaragua canal bill giving the United
States the right to fortify and garrison the
termini of the canal, and generally to
dominate, both with military and naval
forces, the whole canal. The sundry civil
bill was then taken up and nearly half
disposed of, then laid aside and the Mic
aragua bill discussed. 1t in turn was laid
ASIDE and the sundry civil bill considered,
and after an executive session the senate
adjourned.
In the house a raft of pet measures was
blocked by objections and the pension bill
was taken up. The Republicans insisted
on six hours general debate and filibuster-
ed until it was conceded Hatch told the
house that if the pension bill took too long
in his view-he would antagonize it with
the anti-option bill. The debate on pen
sions then proceeded to adjournment.