The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-06-11
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.

HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington. June S.-When the houS,
reconvened at 10 o'clock this mOrnins
in continuation of the legislative day OF
Saturday there We're only seventy mem
bers on the floor and the leaders deter
mined to take the necessary steps to SO
cure and keep quorum in attendanc,
during the remaining hours of the SEES
sion.
Mr.. Sherman Rep.) of New York
chairman of the committee on Indian
affairs. presented a resolution calling or
the secretary of the treasury for infor
nation as to what steps had been taker
to secure settlement of principal anC
interest of certain bonds of the state OF
Virginia, the ownership of which was
assumed by the United States. A part
of the Indian fund was invested in the
bonds and a question has arisen as tc
whether the liability for them belonged
to Virginia or West Virginia. This res
olution gave the vigilant Mr.. KEN Pop
of Nebraska his opportunity to raise the
point of no quorum. whereupoD call OF
the house was decided upon. The cal
developed the presence of 16S members
eleven less than a quorum. Thereupor
the doors were closed and Mr.. Dingley
the floor leader of the majority. offered
a resolution. which was adopted. re.
voking all leaves of absence. except on
account of sickness, and directing the
sergeant-at-arms to telegraph abSentpcs
to return forthwith.
Mr.. Dingley stated that the difficulty
in maintaining quorum during the last
few days and the fact that members
were hourly leaving compelled this &C,
ton.
At 1910 Il quorum appeared.
n special deficiency bill providing fol-
the pay of the salaries of members seated
by the house and for several other minol
matters was passed under suspension of
the rules; also bill to establish site
for the erection of pentcntiary at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas.
The joint senate resolution authorizing
a scientific investigation of the fur fish
cries was adopted.
The senate bill amending the act fol
the protection of the salmon in Alaska
was passed.
The senate bill appropriating $4,000
for the payment of the awards of the
commission appointed to report on the
damage resulting from and the injuries
inflicted by the explosion of Il caisson
belonging to the Second United States
artillery during the Chicago riots occa-
stoned some debate.
BY 53 to Ga the house refused to con-
slider the contested election case of Al
drich VS.. Underwood, from the Ninth
Alabama district.
The senate amendments to the bill to
expedite the delivery of imported parcels
of less than $500 value was agreed to.
Mr.. Payne Rep) of New York moved
the passage, under suspension of the
rules, of the bill to amend laws relating
to American seamen. He explained that
the bill has been framed by the commit
tee on merchant marine and fisheries
after thorough investigation of the sub
iect Both the shipping interests and
the sailors association had been consult
ed. Every vestige of Imprisonment for
violation of the contract between the
master and seamen was stricken out of
existing law by the bill; it provided for
a new scale of rations and made many
other changes in existing laws looking
to the amelioration of the condition of
American seamen.
The bill was passed without division.
Mr.. Loud Rep.) Of Colorado presented
the final conference report on the post,
office appropriation bill. 1t contained
the compromise relating to the CONSOLE
dation of postoftices. The report was
agreed to.
Mr.. Hartman (Rcp.) of Montana moved
the passage of the bill to facilitate the
organization of the Northern Pacific rail
road. The purpose Of the bill was tc
enable the road to reOrganiZe under Il
federal charter.
Mr.. Quigg Rep) of New York OPP
posed the passage under suspension OF
the rules of n bill which affected HOO
miles of railroad. 43,00OOOO acres OF
land and S40O.O00,000 of property. II,
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