The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-02-21
NATIONAL LEGISLATURE.
synopsis Of Proceedings in Both Houses Of
Congress.


Congress-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-The senate
passed the urgent deficiency bill. A mo-
tion was made to take up the free coinage
substitute for the tariff bill, and defeated
81 to 29-all the ayes being Republicans
and the nays Democrats and Populists
A resolution was adopted directing the
Pacific railways committee to make full
inquiry into the status Of those railways,
and another tor an investigation into the
cause and remedy for the invasion Of our
markets by Oriental goods. Alonzo Stew
art Of Iowa. and Bernard Layton of Ohio
were chosen assistant doorkeepers. An
executive session was held Adjourned
to Monday.
In the house all the free silver amend
ments To the bond bill were defeated, none
of them getting more than fifty-three
votes, and the bill reported to the house
from committee of tho whole nom
concurred in, the house insisting on the
original bill The final vote was 100 TO 80a
WASHINGTON. Feb 15.-After five hours
debate, the burden Of which was borne by
Crisp and Turner of Georgia, the former
for free silver and the latter against, and
Dalzell, also against, the house refused to
concur in the senate free silver substitute
for the bond bill by vote of els to 80
with nearly all the balance paired. A
night session was held at which private
pensions were considered but little bust
ness done.
WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-THE feature of
the house proceedings was the attack On
Secretary Morton for, as alleged, disobey-
ing the law relative to the distribution OF
seeds. The secretary was referred to in most
contemptuous terms by Boatner, who who
particularly severe on the secretary for say
ing some time since that some representa-
tives sold their quota Of seeds instead Of
sending them to their constituents. Boat
ner said this was an infamous Islander.
Livingstone said that If Morton did not
obey the house it would impeach him.
This occurred during the debate on the
agricultural bill, on which measure gen.
eral debate was completed. A resolution
was adopted for an inquiry into the power
of an executive officer to refuse to execute
q law on the ground that it is unconstitu-
tional. This refers to Bowlers decision
In the sugar bounty case.
WASHINGTON, Feb "A resolution
was adopted by the senate asking the
treasury the amount of money on, hand
March 4, 1889, and March 4, 1893, and
whether between those dates there was a
decrease of revenue The elections com.
mittee reported in favor of Dupont (Rep.)
in the contested case from Delaware. The
military academy appropriation was con-
sidered and Gordon urged the necessity of
a citizen soldiery. Davis of Minnesota
spoke on the Monroe doctrine, favoring the
most radical Interpretation thereof.
The house put in most of the day on the
agricultural appropriation, and continued
its "roast" of Secretary Morton on the
seed question. A resolution was adopted
calling on the treasury for an exhaustive
report on the sales of bonds under the
resumption act and since up to Jan. l last.
A bill was introduced for the creation of
a department OF commerce TO supersede
the interstate commerce commission.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-The senate de-
bated PETERS resolution for an investiga
ton of bond issues, but it went over.
The military academy and pension bills
wer, passed An executive session was
held.
The house passed the agricultural APP
preparation with clause requiring Secre-
tary Morton to distribute seeds with the
amount therefor increased from $3.50. 900
to $4,000. Couzins Of Iowa wanted to
reduce the secretary's salary to S25 year
If he did not distribute the seeds, but the
amendment was ruled out. A resolution
was adopted directing an inquiry as to
the effect of the difference of exchange
between gold and silver on the industries
OF this country, with special reference to
the cheapness of manufactures in silver
using countries and the invasion of our
markets by those manufactures