Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-04

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
w.su1NcroN D. c., Jan.
cENATE.

K
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. H.
SENATE.
The holiday recess of Congress end
ed at noon to-day. and at that hour the
session of the Senate was opened WIN
PRAYER by the chaplain, special refer
ence being made therein to the danger
GUS illness of Senator Kenna, of West
Virginia, and the trust expressed that
his useful life may be spared.
The certificates of the election OF
presidential electors from the States OF
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Nllssls-
sippi, Iowa, Nevada, Vermont, Idaho
Virginia, Massachusetts and West Nlr-
GINA were presented by the wee
President and were placed on file.
Friday and Saturday next have been
set apart by the Senate for the con-
sideration of the bill granting addi-
tional quarantine powers and OF the
bill for the suspension of immigration
for one year. An attempt was mace
by Mr.. Washburne, (rep.) of Minnesota
to have an agreement to vote on the
anticipation bill next week, but
Mr.. Harris. (dem.) of Tennessee, OBJ
iected on the ground that several sena-
tors intended to speak upon it. He
expressed the hope, however, that the
final vote would soon be taken. The
McGarrahan bill was laid over till
Tuesday next. Mr.. Stewart (rep) OF
Nevada, addressed the Senate on the
resolution to suspend all purchases OF
silver bullion.
At the close of the morning hour the
anticipation bill was taken up for con-
sideration.
HOUSE.
Although there was great deal OF
noise and hustle in the hall ofthe House
this morning before the hour of noon 1t
was caused mainly by 1hembers-elect
and visitors-there being but few pres
ent members in attendance. Prominent
among the latter was Mr.. McCreary
(dem) of Kentucky, who was cordially
greeted by his associates and who ran
the gauntlet of question as to the do
ings of the monetary commission, Of
which he was member. With his
pleasant smile he responded to the in
terrogatories; but his answers were
rather non-commlttal.
At II o'clock the Speaker, in a clear
voice, called the House to order; aud
the Chaplain offered prayer.
Mr.. Scott (dem) Of Illinois, asked
consent for the consideration of 4 res
olution setting forth that the last Con-
gress provided for the construction or
extension of seventy-fve public build
ings; that forty-seven have not yet been
contracted for, ard calling on the Sec
rectary of the Treasury for information
as to the reason why so many of these
public works have not been begun and
why more than sS,000,00O remain I'M
expended during the last two years,
while the public service suffers.
Mr. Dingley (rep.) of Maine, objected
and the resolution was referred.
Mr.. Martin (dem.) of Indiana, called
up the private pension bills on the cal
endar of unfinished business.
Mr.. Bland DEM Of Missouri, be-
came a stumbling block to the speedy
passage of the measures. He made no
set speech against them, but said that
in view of the fact that the laws per-
mitted almost any one to secure pen
sion it was time for Congress to call
halt in the enactment of special legsla
ton. The Treasury was in a depleted
condition mainly on account of extra
ordinary squandering on account of
pensions by Congress. Congress should
make halt and take step backward.
The disability pension act should be
amended and the pensioners under it
should be compelled to show not only
disability but restitution.
One bill was passed, and then the
House at o'clock adjourned without
a quorum, being able to muster but 14S
votes.