The record-union., 1894-08-06
Special to the REooRD-UNroN.


Congress, and including August Sd, shows
that much has been done aside from the
engrossing tariff struggle, which has
largely diverted public attention from
matters which would, under other condi-
tions, have been considered of great con-
sequence. One of the most important
Acts of the session, which passed both
Houses by strict party vote. being in
fulfillment of plank of the Democratic
platform, was the Act repeating all laws
creating Federal supervisors OF elections
and defining their power.
Another important Act, that to enable
the people of Utah to form constitution
and State Government, and to be admitted
into the Union on full footing with the
original States, and providing the ma
chinery by which the Territory will be
admitted. probably in December, 1895.
The Act making the first Monday in
September a legal holiday. to be called
Labor Day.
Three bills were passed to give effect to
the award of the tribunal of arbitration
at Paris, which adjudicated the seal fish
eIles dispute.
Several measures were enacted in ac-
cordance with the recommendation of
the Dockery Commission (so-calledl for
improving and simplifying the methods
of. doing the Government business. The
most Important were those changing the
method of auditing accounts in the
Treasury Department, improving the
methods of accounting in the Post Office
Department, and changing the money Or
der system, and that regulating the max
ing of property returns by the officials OF
the Government.
l., !, D,-Oe
dent TO fill vacancies in the grade OF en-
signs or assistant engineer, by selecting
from the graduating class OF the Naval
Academy where the vacancies exceed the
number Of cadets IN the line division, or
engineer division. Also that a vacancy
in the Naval school, from a district which
the Secretary of the Navy is called upon
to fill, must be filed by the appointment
of resident of that district OF two years
standing.
Three of the appropriation bills have
not yet gone TO the President-the River
and Harbor, and the General Deficiency
and Sundry Civil bills. Incidental to the
Sundry Civil bill is provision granting
I,000,0 900 acres of the surveyed arid public
lands to each of the States to which the
desert land law is pplicable-Nebr braska,
Kansas, and the Territories of Arizona,
New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah-to be
selected within ten years.
Five deficiency bills have been neces-
sary this season. The principal items in
the first one were Sl27, 800 OF the pay of
assistant janItors and custodians under
the Treasury Department. and $500. 900 for
mileage for members, the regular mile
age appropriation for the first session
having been used during the special ses-
sion. The second bill included 1000
for the Treasury Department. Three of
100000 of it for the customs service;
100000 for the pension service, 100000
for the census, and S200,000 for public
printing. The third deficiency carried
100000 for the Treasury Department,
half of it for enforcement of the Chinese
Exclusion Act, with S3l5, 200 for Treasury
printing. and $50, 900 for Improvements to
the gunboats Castine and Machias. The
fourth carried about $4,000 for the
Treasury, most of it for the Bureau of
Printing and Engraving, and for United
States courts 81, 1885, 600. The fifth bill,
approved June 10Th, carried $685. for
the Public Printing Office, and SlS5,OO0
for the customs service.
Two resolutions appropriating $4,000
and $4,000 for enforcing the Chinese Ex-
clusion Act were approved December Z.
1893, and April 4, 1894.
AS most of the appropriation bills had
not passed at the beginning of the fiscal
year, July Ist. it was necessary to extend
by resolution all appropriations for the
necessary appropriations of the Govern
ment for pensions and for the District of
Columbia. They were twice extended for
thirty days from June 30th and fifteen
days from July 30th.
Two special appropriation bills for
salaries of employees of Congress was
necessary, and one for the expenses of in
yestigation ordered by the Senate.
Among the laws of benefit to merchant
marine interests enacted was one to pre-
vent collisions at sea, prescribing sys-
tenn OF signals, and one to facilitate the
entry of steamships.
Among the Acts pertaining to the judi
ciary of the United States were those to
authorize the Fourth Assistant Postmas-
ter-General to approve Postmasters'
bonds; to regulate the inspection of iron
and steel boiler-plates and their stamp
ing by United States Inspectors. and fix
ing penalties for unauthorized use of
stamps.
Among the Territorial Acts was one
fixing the limit of indebtedness which
may be incurred by Salt Lake City at
per cent. of the value of the taxable
property, and one authorizing the county
of Coconino, Arizona, to issue Sl5, 900 In
bonds to build county building.
By a Joint resolution, officers and en-
listed men of both branches of the serv-
ice were authorized to wear the badge of
the regular army and navy union on all
occasions of ceremony.
Much legislation pertaining to public
lands was accomplished. One Act ex-
tends to January, 1897, the time within
which persons may purchase railroad
grant lands forfeited to the Government
by the Act of September %, 1890, under
the conditions of the purchase in that
Act.
An Act was signed providing for the
allotment OF certain lands on the reserva-
ton of the confederated Otoes and Mis-
souris OF Nebraska and Kansas, amend
ing the Act of March 3. 1891. The Conn
missioner of the Land Office was author
lied TO issue patents as evidence OF title
for all valid locations made with the land
scrip issued pursuant to the DEGREES of
the Supreme Court, which valid locations
were made prior TO the approval of the
aforesaid Act in the same manner that
nasents are now issued under the provi-
visions of Section of the Act of June %,
1889.
AS measure of relief of the West DUR
ing the business depression, the require
ment that on each mining claim located
not less than 500 worth of labor or inn
movements to be made each year under
penalty of forfeiture, was suspended for
the year 1874.
The time for making final proof and
payment for all lands located under the
desert-land laws was extended for one
wear, and the final payment under the
presumption Act, when entrymen are not
prevented from making payment from
causes beyond their control. The law