The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-02-23
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.
MEASURES CONSIDERED AND
ACTED UPON.
A. ~ Nations Capital-What II Being
Done by the Senate ara Hoass-Oad
Matters Disposed or and New Onss Cons
n1s
The Senate ana House.

The bill to promote the safety OF EN-.
ployes and travellers upon railroads by
com mpell,ng railroad COMPANIES to equip
their cars with automatic coup'ers and
continuous brakes. and their locomotives
with driving. wheel brakes. was finally dts-
posed OF in the sena'e Saturday. Tbs
substitute for the House bill Of last ses-
yeas, 80; nays, 10 The only other impor-
liant piece OF legislation done was the
agreeing to the conference report on the
Notifications bill and making tho Nicara-
|, qua Canal bill the unfinished business.
The session OF the House was not without
interest, but It was without result Tho
attempt of the Democrats to limit the time
for debate on the pension appropriation
bill was firmly resisted by the Republicans.
and the strong minority came oot vfctori-
Gus The result was that, without termin-
alton of general debate, the House Ad-
journed
The Senate chaplain had the unique ex-
perience Monday morning OF beginning his
prayer for legislative body not q single
member Of which vas present to get the
benefit of 1t. In the course of half an hour
| stitute a quorum. The Senate refused to
consider the New Mexico Statehood bill In
the morning hour-yeas. IL; nays 30.
Senator Cullom introduced a joint reso-
luton TO transfer to the State Of Illinois at
| the close OF the Columbian Exposition the
| naval exhibit OF the Cnhed States Govern
ment as a naval armory for the use OF tha
naval militia OF Illinois. and asked to have
| 1t considered and passed. Senator Cockrell
| objected, saying that this Was simply tho
| entering wedge for Chicago tc get every
thing that would be sent there for exhibi-
tion. The resolution was referred to the
| committee on naval affairs The Senate
| then took up the Nicaragua Canal bill aud
| Senator Frye addressed the Senate in sup.
port of the measure.
| The Nicaragua canal bill was before the
| Senate Tuesday for q couple OF hours, but
was then laid aside SO that the sundry civil
! appropriation bill might be proceeded with
The canal bill was the subject OF two
speeches and Of running discussion. In
which Mr.. Sherman. who is in charge OF it,
| took leading part. After short conflict
| between the Democrats and Republicans OF
the House the Democrats were obliged to
yield gracefully and to agree to the
terms which tho Republicans presented
These were that general debate on the
| invalid pension bill should be continued
| until the minority was accorded six hours
debate. During the discussion Of the bill
| in committee of the whole. Mr. Hatch in
he would pursue in reference to the anti
| option bill He had, he said, waited pa
tiently for days in order that the consider
alton of the appropriation bills should be
completed. But he now gave notice that
| unless the appropriation bills were dis
posed OF In reasonable time lie would ask
for the consiG GeratioD CT measure (the
anti.option billh which, being revenue
bill. had a right OF wav.
The Nicaragua canal bill. though having
the advantage OF being the "un6nisbed
business had to give way Wednesday in
the Senate to the sundry civil approprie-
ton bill. All the amendments 10 that tiit
reported by the committee on appropria-
tions, including the Worlds Fair items, were
disposed Of with the exception OF the series
fa
ments. and these were in full tide OF debate
when the Presidents Haw allan message
was delivered. and then, without the
delay OF y minute. on senator shermsn's
session. The invalid pension appropriation
bill monopolized the attention OF the
House. Tho general debate was enlivened
by Mr.. Boutelle of Maine. who made one OF
his vigorous and CHARACTERISTIC speeches.
but the House at lar2s looked upon the
controversy without excitement. and is
| ended without any gain On either side.
| The debate in the House over the pen-
SION appropriation bill was brought to a
dramatic and almost violent conclusion
late Thursday afternoon by scene which
was only prevented py the Sergeant at
arms and his mace from dege1erating into
an exchange OF blows. The excite
| ment was intense The Speaker appealed
to members to put an end to this most
un.eemly scene and take their seats; but
l several
proved OF any avail When order was
finally restored the House. finding 1t Was in
no temper to proceed with the considera-
tion of the bill, adjourned. The session OF
the Senate was occupied in the ccnstdera-
tion Of the sundry civil appr, ,priation BILL
An amendment involving the continuance
| Of the Office OF supervisor OF elections gave
rise to a long and heated political dsscus-
sion.
The sundry civil . preparation hill oc-
cuped the attention OF the Senate Friday.
The amendment which had been discussed
Wednes lay, and the effect of which Is 70
| continue in force the Jaw fer Federal
supervision OF elections. was carried by o
party vote. All the committee amend.
ments having been disposed OF. and the bill
, being open to general amendment the
question as to the issue OF per cent bonds
to maintain the gold reserve was pre-.
. cfpit ated on the Senate. The amendment
was offered by Mr. Sherman. ard point OF
order was raised against 1t by Mr.. stewart.
The point was. after discussion, overruled
bv the Vice President and an appeal from
that decision was laid on the table by a
vote Of 20 yeas to is nays. The merits OF
. the amendment were discussed for the rest
Of the day, and the adjournment came be
fore the debate closed. The pension bill
was passed by the House and went
through free from the various pension
amendments which have been proposed
OF late II appropriates the sum OF $780,
400 900 for pension pay ments during the
next year. II is the largest pension Item
on record, and. indeed, the largest appro.
priation OF any kind which the House o.
Representatives ever made There wcrt
no persons al onficts on the floor although
: : there was strong undercurrent OF oat