The San Francisco call., 1896-02-13
MR.. HILLS AMENDMENT.
Would Have Jackson Honored
Also if the Lincoln Bill
Were Passed.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE
Representatives Argue Upon the Free
Coinage Substitute to the
Bond Bill.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 1.-THE
birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 18th of
February, would have been added to the
list of American holidays, so far as the
action of the Senate could do SO, had it
not been for single objection. A bill for
that purpose, which had been introduced
some time ago by Hansbrough (R.) OF
North Dakota, was to-day reported by him
from the Committee on the Library; and
just as the Senate was on the eve of
adjournment it occurred to Hale (R.) of
Maine that it would be fitting and grace
full thing to pass the bill to-day, and he
asked unanimous consent to have that
done.
Hill (D.) of New York had contemplated
offering an amendment to the bill, adding
Jackson's birthday (January 81 also to the
list of National holidays. but under the
peculiar circumstances he said he would
withhold such amendment and offer it as
separate proposition. Then Hawley (R. J
of Connecticut interposed an objection. on
the ground that there was danger of run
ming to an extreme on this question.
A resolution was offered by Vest CD OF
Missouri and agreed to, calling on the Sec
retary of Agriculture for a statement as
to recent changes ordered by him in the
quarantine lines established in relation to
the transportation of cattle from Texas
and other Southwestern States, and as to
the reason therefor.
A resolution was offered by PETER (P.) OF
Kansas and went over until tomorrow for
the appointment of a select committee of
five Senators to inquire into and report on
all the facts and circumstances connected
with the sales of United States bonds by
the Secretary of the Treasury in 1894, 1895
and 1896.
A resolution was offered by Allen (Pop.
of Nebraska calling on the Secretary of the
Interior for large mass of details in re-
lation to the Union Pacific, the Sioux City
and Pacific and the Kansas Pacific rail-
road companies. Wolcott (R.) of Colorado
suggested to Allen that his resolution
called for statements which the Secretary
of the Interior could not possibly supply,
such as the names of stockholders and
bondholders and the amounts of stocks
and bonds held by them. The resolution
went over under the rule.
Teller (R.) of Colorado introduced bill
to provide for the redemption of National
bank notes, and it was referred to the FL
nance Committee.
Hansbrough (R.) of North Dakota re-
ported from the Library Committee a bill
to make the 18th of February-Lincoln' s.
birthday-a National holiday, and it was
placed on the calendar.
The bill passed by the Senate some
weeks ago for memorial bridge across
the Potomac, but which had been sus-
pended by motion to reconsider, was on
motion Of Daniel (D.) of Virginia taken up
and the passage of the bill considered.
The amendment offered by Blanchard Cd
of Louisiana, requiring half of the cost of
the bridge to be paid by the District of
Columbia, was rejected-ayes 8, noes 81
and the bill was passed. 1t directs the
Secretary of War to construct a memorial
bridge from the observatory grounds
across the Potomac River to the Arlington
estate, and appropriates 100000 for the
necessary surveys.
The urgent deficiency bill was taken up.
The amendment for the appointment of
expert money-counters in the treasury,
which had led yesterday to a discussion OF
civil service reform, was the first question
reached. 1t was agreed to without further
discussion and without division. The
committee amendment appropriating
$3.50, 500 for fees and expenses of United
States Marshals and deputies provoked o
discussion, in which the whole fee system
was denounced as not only an outrage, but
standing disgrace to Congress fo- allow
ing it to exist. The Indian Territory was
particularly specified as the very worst ju-
dieial district in respect to arrests being
made fer the mere sake of fees. The bill
went over without final action.
A bill for the admission of Arizona as
State was introduced by Carter >(R.) of
Montana and referred.
Hale fR.) of Maine asked unanimous
consent to have taken up and passed the
bill reported to-day for the observance of
the 18th of February U:ncoln's birthday
as a National holiday.
Hill CD of New York said that he had
intended to propose an amendment to the
bill, but he would not do so now, and
would introduce separate bill to create
Jaekson's birthday, the 9Th of January.
National holiday. Hale thought that 1t
would be very fitting and graceful thing
to pass the bill to-day, this being the 18th
of February.
Hawley (R.) of Connecticut said that he
did not wish to act ungraeiously ip the
matter. but he was opposed to creating
any more National holidays. There was
danger, he thongnt, of running into ex-
tremes like some countries which had SO
many saints days that people were seri-
ously deprived of opportunities to work.
After short pause he said: II believe /
will object"
''Of course" said Hale. "It can only be
done by unanimous consent"
The Senate at Ais o'clock adjourned
until tomorrow.
IN THE HOUSE.