The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-05-01
NATIONAL LEGISLATURE.
Synopsis Of Proceedinxs 10 Both Houses OF
Congress.


Congress.
WASHINGTON, April 2o.-The senate
gave tho day TO the sundry civil appropria-
tion bill without completing it, The do
bate was largely OF formal character.
Contrary to custom the adjournment was
taken to today instead of Monday. During
the debate it developed that though con-
gress had appropriated $4,000 for the ex-
penses of the Venezuelan commission
that body couldn't get enough to pay its
rent because tho treasury comptroller
ruled that 1t could not be used for that
purpose In the District. PETER modified
his bond sale resolutions by elimating
the imputations they contained on official
honor.
The house proceeded with the Picker
pension bill and the whole day was con-
sun:ed in the discussion of that measure
The debate was of lite interest, The
feature was the opposition of Connolly
(Rep.) Of Illinois to the section of the bill
| which granted pensions to the Confederate
soldiers who deserted and joined the IN
ion ranks ninety before Lees sur
render. Outside vi 80 only business
done was the passage VI a few private PEN
sion bills, both at the day and night ses-
sion.
WASHINGTON. April $50 great Is the
congestion of business In the postoffice
here, owing to shipment of seeds by con-
gressInen to their constituents, that the
senate adopted q resolution asking the
postmaster general to remedy the trouble.
Sherman tried to have the bill taken up
relating to fruit brardies and alcohol used
In the arts. Chandler and Platt gave
warning that consideration of the bill
would bring up the whole question Of tho
tariff. Sherman persisted and vote was
taken defeating Sherman's purpose-22 to
e. Tho sundry civil BILL amended in
some particulars and increased in amount
of appropriation from $50, 600, 900 to $751;
900, 000 was passed. Chandler asked for
early action on the resolution to investi-
gate Alabama elections and Allen (Pop.)
stated that all the Populists would vote
for it, thus securing its passage, If it were
taken up. An executive session was held
The house put in tho day and held q
night session until 10 p. m, on the Picker
pension bill. During the afternoon eulo-
ges were pronounced on the late Repro
sentative Grain, of Texas.
WASHINGTON, April 2S.--The senate
took up the naval appropriation bill, and
a long debate took place on an amend
ment prohibiting naval officers entering
the service of iron and steel companies or
others with whom the United States had
dealings. and incidentally on the cost of
armor plates. 1t was admitted that in tho
recent investigation Of such cases no fraud
had been shown attaching to naval OH
GERS thus employed. The debate was pend
ing ct adjournment,
BY adopting special order the house
finished debate on tho Picker pension
bill, the only amendment adopted being
one making it easier for an applicant TO
prove his case. The vote will be taken
first thing today as per special order. A
few District bills were passed. Thirty-
four Republicans voted against the special
order for the pension bin.
WASHINGTON, April 29.-The senate
adopted the amendment to tho naval APP
preparation bill prohibiting naval officers
from serving naval contractors and dis
cussed at length the appropriation for four
battleshlps. German moved to. fix the
number at two and made a long speech
which developed a wrangle as 10 who was
responsible for the failure of congress to
improve the national finances. He argued
thai with deficit in the treasury it was a
bad time to build n great navy. Stewart
made free silver speech.
The house passed the Picker general
pension bill by vote Of )S7 to 81. Thu
Republicans and Populists voted solidly
in favor of the measure and the Demo.
Gratis with six exceptions, solidly against
Il. The six Democrats were Fitzgerald,
Sorg, Cummins, Walsh, Downing and
Layton. The bankruptcy bill was taken
up for vote Saturday at 4 p. m, under
a special order A resolution asking Soc
rotary Oiney TO appeal for Hammond, one
OF the South African Uitlandors sentenced
to death by the Beers was sent 80 the for
eign relations committee.