Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-12-07
CONGRESS AT WORK.
The Gloomy Weather Makes its
Effect Visible in Both
Houses.


both House and senate seemed gener-
ally influenced by its depressing
effects. The only thing of moment
accomplished beyond the passage Of
several small bills affecting land titles
in the far West, was an agreement to
close the general debate on the bank
ruptcy bill. This materially advances
the parliamentary stage of the bill.
AS soon as general debate closes, the
bill will be open to amendment and
debate under the five minute rule.
Col Oates, in charge, is anxious to
bring the bill to vote and with gen.
eral debate at an end, he expressed
himself as confident of success before
tariff or something else ofmore urgent
importance side tracks it.
A dozen executive documents were
laid before the House and letter
from Gov. Altgeld, of Illinois, inviting
the members of the House to be pres
ent at the unveiling of the monument
to the memory of Gen. James Shields
tomorrow afternoon in Statuary hall,
was also read and the speaker ordered
it to lie on the table.
After some business Mr.. McItae of
Arkansas, called up his bill to confirm
cash entries of offered lands in Alaba-
ma, Mississippi and Arkansas
The bill was taken up for final dis
cussion and passed by handsome
majority.
Mr.. McRae then called up a bill to
amend section of the act forfeiting
certain lands granted to and in the
construction of railroads 80 as to ex-
tend the time under which persons in
possession of these forfeited lands
may purchase the same to January !
1897. The time under the present law
expires on the first of the coming
year.
Mr.. Ellis, of Oregon, supported the
bill on the ground that the hard times
had prevented settlers on the North
ern Pacific forfeited lands from COM
pleting their payments and if the
laws were not amended they would
lose their homes. The bill was pass
ed.
Mr.. McRae also called up and had
passed q joint resolution to confirm
the grant in the Mile Lac Indian Re
servation, MINI, during the period
between 1891, and December %, 1898,
on which latter date the Secretary Of
the Interior held that the Mile Lac
Reservation was not subject to dis
position under the general land laws.
The object Of the bill was to confirm
the entries made during that period
in good faith, and involves about 3d.
900 acres of land.
The feature of the day was new
silver coinage bill, introduced by that
indefatigable champion Of free silver
Mr. Bland. 1t repeals that part of the
act of 1873 which prevents the coinage
of silver dollars, and re-enacts the law
of 1887, providing for the coinage OF
silver dollars of 412 IL grains.
Mr.. Catchings, OF mississippi, intro
duced a bill by request, containing
eight long items, which would entire
ly regulate the currency, but which
will probably not be considered by tho
House. 1t is understood that Mr..
Bland will call the Committee on
Coinage, Weights and Measures to-
gether at an early day to consider n
silver bill, and he expects an absolute
free coinage bill will be reported to
the House.
The House Committee on Judiciary
has about decided to report favorably
a bill relating to Southern cotton
claims. There is now in the Treasury
about $11,00O,0O0 which has been set
apart to pay certain cotton claims.
This money was originally intended
to pay the claims of those whose 10y
atty could be properly established.
The proclamation OF President John
son and decision Of the Supreme
court, it is claimed, is plain that the
proofs OF loyalty once demanded are
no longer required. The Republican
members Of the Committee have
agreed that the bill shall be reported
Iavorably with proyiso that no more
money than the Sll,000000 now In
the treasury shall be paid aud that all
claims for destruction Of cotton shall
be presented within year from the
passage of the bill, the money to be
divided pro rata among tho claimants
who establish the facts of their loss
es.