New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

. ceedings OF this session consumed nine volume
and $500 pages Of The Congressional Record,
which was one-fourth more than in any previou
Congress Compared with the total number G
bills. the number enacted into law remark
. ably few.
An act was passed requiring instruction in IN
effects OF alcoholic drinks the human sys
tenn in the Military and Naval academies an
the common schools in the District Of Coumbi
and the Territories. This was Republica
measure, originating with Senator Blair Rep
~ H. 1t was passed without serious contes
by both parties. Approved May ~ 1856.
An act was passed authorizing the construc
ton OF two armed navy vessels OF 5000 ton
each. at s., 100000 each; one protected cruiser
not over 5000 tons. 10 cost S1.J0ooOO, and on
frst-class torpedo-boat, costing SlOOOOO: com
pletion of the monitors Puritan. Amphitritt
Monadnock and Terror. and construction of tn
dynamite gun cruiser Vesuvius. to cost $500 0W
All Of these vessels were to be built OF American
steel. The Republicans cordially supported TIN
measure, which originated in the House wit
the Committee on Naval Affairs. and il wa
passed in both branches without DIVISION. Ap
proved May 3, 1856
BY Republican votes a bill was passed taxln
oeomargarine two cents a pound and requiring
manufacturers and dealers therein TO take out
license manufacturers TO pay 5000, wholesaler
$3.50 and retailers SIS The object OF this bl
was TO protect the dairy interests OF the united
States against The sale of fraudulent and coun
terfelt outer DOuDuS Ol bi'oHd "a
rine being then manufactured annually and soil
as butter" a second purpose was 10 protec
the public against deception and suppress IN
manufacture OF unwhoesome oleoInargarine
Warner Miller. Republican Senator from New
York was one of the leading champions OF TIM
bill 1t was passed by the House June 5, 1851
by III yeas OH Republicans. 90 Democrats,
GreenbackeD to lol nays 90 Repuomcahs, ~ ~
Democrats). The Senate passed the bill July ~
by 81 yeas CD Republicans, > Democrats TO =
NAYS q Republican, - Democrats). Approved
August . 1856.
An important law was enacted which haC
been repeatedly asked for by Republican admin
istrations in regard to the Presidential sue
cession II designated the following officers a.
SUCCESSORS 10 the President, in of the re
rnoval death or resignation OF both the Presi
dent and Vice President, in the oruer named
The Secretaries of State, Treasury and war, IN
ATTORNEY General Postmaster General, and Sec
retarIes of the Navy and Interior, and requir
ing the person on whom the succession de
wolves to call a special session OF Congress
within twenty days. If that body be not theI
in session The previous law devolved the sue
cession. first the President pro TEN. of tn
Senate and then on the Speaker Of the House
an embarrassing arrangement. When Genera
Garfield died there had been neither Presi
dent pro tenn of the Senate nor a Speaker o
the House. This was a Republican measure
originating many years before with T.. Rock
wood Hoar Rep Mass.), while a member o.
the House. championed by Senator George r
Hoar Rep., Mass. in the HLVllth anc
~
ward by the latter in this Congress. The bil
was passed by the Senate December II, 1888
without a division. and by the House January
10 1856, by 1S6 to I6. Approved January ~
1886.
bill forfeiting 23.0O0O0O acres OF land
granted to the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad
July 81. 1866, and restoring it to the public
domain, was passed by both parties without
a contest. Approved July g. 1856
Another bill passed by both parties for.
feitng about 100000 acres Of land. granted
August II, 1856 for certain Southern railroads
Approved July 10 1856.
An act was passed without contest permit
ting homestead settlers occupying 100 acres, AT
ter final proof Of their claimes. TO have tht
benefit of the acts Of March 3 and July !, 1919
Approved May u, 1856.
DEALING WITH THE SURPLUS
Still insisting that there was an enormous sur
plus in the Treasury. the Democrats OF the
House brought forward at this session a joint
resolution directing that the Treasury surplus be
paid out for the reduction Of the public debt
The Treasury had for years retained a reserve OF
800 00O, 900 in gold to maintain specie payments
and secure the interconvertibility OF the silver
currency with gold. This reserve had alone pre-
vented the country from going 70 silver stand
ard The Democrats, silver men and Green
hackers desired to wipe out this reserve and
they found il convenient 10 call II part OF the
surplus The House passed the joint resolution
which then went 10 the Senate. where II was
materially amended. As returned to the House
II provided for a gold reserve OF SlVo""""
and, at the option Of the Treasury. for N2oWo.-
Vb or X}pMN 900 more OF working capital Inc
balance OF the surplus, amounting IN July, 1871
to about $50 900 900, was ordered 10 be PAID OUT.
The Senate also provided for the retirement OF
the trade dollar. conference was ordered.
Various amendments were made. to which on
August >, 1885. the last day OF the session, the
Senate agreed without division. and the House
by l2O yeas "a Republicans. ~ Democrats, 10
t3 nays (2s Republicans, - Democrats). Presi-
dent Cleveland vetoed the resolution pereHp-
tnr tl..tIt IDix ILL In, hn the