New-York tribune., 1896-12-09
CONGRESS GETS TO WOKk.
THE HOUSE SHOWS ITSELF TO BE a
BUSINESS BODY.

IT PASSES THE GENERAL PENSION APiFo'N'N-
TIoN ELL AND THREE POSTAL. MEASURES
-nRIEF SESSION OF TIE SENATE
tBy rErEoRApH To THE TRiBUNEl
Washington. Dec S-The House OF Representa-
tives settled down to business to-uaE l" 90
steady and quiet a fashion though the vaca-
ton had lasted only six days instead OF as many
months and as though most exciting ana mo
mentous Presidential campaign and election hau
not intervened No fewer than three OF the piiis
fayorably reported at the last session by the
Postofiice Committee were considered anu
passed. The first permits individuals ana pus'
ness concerns to private maiiing caros Vi
the same form. size and weight as the pos'ai
cards now in use. when one-ceht pos'ase
stamp is affixed The second provinces ioi
limited indemnity for the loss OF registered ie'
ters and packages, the indemnity IN no case u"
exceed $40 and in case the value or the ie''ei
or package is less than SO the indemnity TO ne
measured by the actual value
The third bill was that offered by Mr.. Sperry
Of Connecticut. and reported by him from .'o
committee IT authorizes the collection and de-
livery of mail in cities. towns and villages "herS
no Ietter-carrier service exists by persons en-
ployed by the citizens. at a cost OF not exceeding
one cent for each letter or package. the expense
IN no horne by the benefciares Of such service
and the Government to be free from all naplilty
on account of it, This bill. and also the one pro-
vidns for limited indemnity in case OF the loss
Of registered matter provoked considerable op-
nosition and brisk debate. but both were passed
by large majorities.
The House also passed the Pension Appro-
rriation bill. which was reported yesterday ana
the general debate on which promised to take a
wide range Mr.. Grow. of Pennsylvania OBJ
tained the floor and delivered vigorous speech
critIcising that part Of President Cevelands an
nual message which deals with the subject OF the
revenue The bill carries total Appropriation
of S141 263 $50 which is $Gi.3OO less than the
appropriation for the current fiscal year and the
same amount less than the estimate for next
year The appropriation for fees of examining
surgeons Is reduced from $1jO,OO0 to $IOOOoo
and that for clerk hire at agencies from S45O,ooO
10 S43OOOO The appropriation for stationery
and other necessary expenses Is raised from
$50 1000 TO $50 O00 and that for rent from S@''o"o
to S26 13O
The documents in the contest Of Thomas b.
Watson against j. c. c. Black for seat in the
LIVth Congress from the Xth Georgia District
were received from the clerk of the House ana
bv the Speaker referred to the Committee on
Elections No | At 4:20 o'clock the House ad-
journed until tomorrow.
When the senate TtcoNNeDtu 'HS ii'i''"e '''>
Vice-President presented a communication from
the Secretary Of the Treasury giving the num-
Der of aliens employed in the Treasury Depart
ment as called for by resolution OF May
.- last 1t says that the number OF such aliens
at the time of the adoption of the resolution WAS
, 1hrty-nve, but that since then almost al oi
them have become naturazed
Mr. Ganger' Qsep, y. HI VINO hau oereu ca
the resolution, said that II was gratliE>nS 10
him to notice that foreigners who had had con,
spicuous employment in the public service hau
found IL convenient since attention had peeh
called to the matter, TO :ake out DECENTRALIZATION
lapers. ,.- ., ,,io,s
Various other departmental communications
were presented and referred. among thein 'ils
annual report of the Government directors oi
the Union Pacific Railroad Company
Petitions from Philadelphia and ST LOUIS Ia
yoripg the passage of the Dingley Dill were
presented by Mr.. Morrill, tRep, VII, ana re-
ferred to the Finance Committee similar pc
titions were presented by other senator's aso
several memorials in relation to Armenian ou'
RACES. on NAV, Flo
An effort was made by Mr.. Call tDenl'' fia'
IN get I'm a resolution on the subject OF CuOd
hut as that stage of morning business had ho'
been reached ne forced to wait Tor an
other day Notice was given by Mr.. Cullom
.(Rep.. Ill that he -ould on Ihursuas SUNNI
some remarks on that subject 49,,
4 message from the House in relation I'D .Ie
death of ex-Speaker Crisp was laid belore liie
Sanata and on notice Of Mr.. Bacon tDem., ua)'
who said that he would ask the senate az sun {
fnture time TO assign a day for eulogies, the
senate at 1925 O'Clock, adjourned unth 'o-"oi