HE OMAHA DAILY BEE. FOURTEENTH YEAR. OMAHA , NEB. , THURSDAY MORNING , FEBRUARY 1 ! ) , 1885. NO , J57. LEGISLATIVE LORE. Our Legislate Waking Up anil Ex- Rotes , Thirteen Bills Wera Very Rapidly Ground Out , Oapitol and Homo Fortha Friend less Appropriations Bills , Church Howe's ' Delinquent Tax Bill and the Bailroad Bill , Mr , Troupe is Very Unmindful of Parliamentary Kules. Tlic Stnto "Kow noctoi" Hill IsIJaelly for Uio I'reHontVI11 1)0 Kcconstelcrcel. HENVTE. Special Correspondence to lha UEE. hl.scoi.v , February 18. Whatever may have been tha past reputiitton of tbo senators for executive ability , they certainly nro ex pediting butmcsi this week In a way highly satisfactory to themselves and eonstituonts. Soon after assembling this rooming th senate resolved Itself into committee of thu whole for considering the bills on general file. Thirteen bills were taken up , discussed and disposed of rapidly. fflTho most important of these waa Ilonso K-jIl 37.'t , appropriating § 10,000 for the llomo for tbo Friendless and the capitnl appropria tion bill , levying a half mill tax. { Neither of theno mut with any opposition m cotnmitteu Two bills authorizing tin1 trnniforof moneys from one fund 1 1 another by tha state treas urer , were passed , IThi medical bill Senate 1'ilu No. 5 , intro duced by Senator Huckworth near tbo first of the seBslon , wan , after several nmendinunts ordered engrossed for a third reading. To all inttmts .ind purposes it IH supposed to boa bill to pro v out quackery. How well it will succeed rrmiins to bo Been. tifaTho otlier bills considered were amendments to the compiled statutes and important mtas- urea of n general cluracter. _ The comiuitteo Investigating the insane hos pital aio about rpady to report. None of the member a nro willing to ive away nnjthlng , but from the little hurts dropped , it Is learned that no charges against Dr. Miitlhowsonhavu been sustained by thu evidence of the wit nesses who testified. It inlaid that the ovi cenca shows lack of system in the inanngo mont of the inetitut'on. ' ir. _ Matthavvson .is to bo allowed to review tha evidence before ho makes his defense As the evidence cavers home 300 pages ot legal cap written with a typo wilier , he hai quite n tasl : before him. The school land fiauel investigating commit tee will hold their lust meeting next Thurs day when they will whitewash all those ins pected of eompltuty in the frauds. Hallroad mutters nro very quiet nt present. The lobby in not ugrei > sle , bat appouro B lull ing and hippy in view of subsequent victory. A King of the lobby and few senators lu dtilged In n quiet little wine ( upper at oae of the hotels hut ove-umg. Kepoitcra were not admitted. The BFB correspondents made n flying trip to I ho penitentiary the other day and vvero 1 well entertained by Warden Nobas , who opanod a keg of nails and a bjttlo of mucdago for their benefit Having designs on their livoi ha also olfciml cigar * , whioa were , of course , refu ed. So fur as observation extends - tends , the management of the institution is excellent. A larger number of men were working in the stove shops than anywheto elseThcee BIO boss Stout's slaves , t nil the work they : xro doing is for tha now eapitol. Afternoon Session. Spacial telegram to the 1JKK. LINCOLN , February IS. Almost the entire Afternoon kcssion of the senate was t.ikcn Uf In commltteu of the \\lioloin considering the bill that provides for a c ! nngo in the method of selling an 1 leising the cchool land * , men tloned In these despatches 31 aterday. Many minor amendments wera proposed andtliot wan a little illicustlon on almost every point cf thu law. It was tha first bill upon which thnra lias bi'on shown any political foaling , McShano mid Hasting * , on the democratic eida , areued against the bill at almost every point. The committeu ropjrtad prograsa , and asked loava to utagilii , Several buU cons.dnrod in the morning were put iimn | thllr hull pas ago. nmiiig them i thu eapit.il opprjprlaMon of § 10,01)0 ) for 4ne Homo for tha I'rleudloda , There was no opposition , Tha bill allowing tha li'.iirbridgc ' tobocom A Btato orporutun was ng tln vet d on Ijick tog n eulhwieut vote , it wjis rocouisienelod oui * , who aoa a negro in tha timbers of tin MIL OppOHS It. _ TIIK HOUSE. Special CorrfHpondoiico of the line. LINCOLN , ] trhruary let. After several re poiti from standiog committees had been rood thii morning , Mr. Whltinora Introduced the fallowing resolution : Wheiuu , It has become evident that a lar o number of the billn upon thu general file cannot ba roai'hed In tbo regular order of business , and Wheroid , Certain bilN nra of great importance anco to the poojilu and should b < > dlxpoaeu of. Therefore bo it Jinsolvod , That the rules bo situpondcd and tha following bills be taken up and mxdo the nfeual crd r for consideration la Uio e m .mitteo of tha wh ) Io imtU the mile are dls posed ot ni follow , : IK ) , 21 , 10. t ) . ' , 2.10 , 2in , 31. 117 , US. 7U. Ho , 8 , 21 , 210. 251 , M. J , 'JD.2.I7 ' , Ml , Id , hj , 'J'J ' , isr , 3tf , " 7 , 358 , iu , 6s , 210 , 311 , wr , i , u > 3. U5.Tha Tha abo\ being thu order in which slid bills appear upon the general nln , provided , npthuig herein shall bo construed to interfere with lisa > | > eclal orders already inada. Tha deluto over tlui resolution continued up to 11 o'clock. When the vote was lin lly ordered the resolution wai lust. The houto then want into committee of the jvholo. Homo roll i 3 nnd lit and eensto files 27 and 1 werd taken first. These bills all deal with the BVttem of revenue and taxation and thu collsction of the name , Some bills propma to penalty of " > per cent for delinquent , anil others to refund the penalties that hnvo already been collected. Homo roll .T w as the first to attract atten tion , and brought n speech from Mr. Trouoe , which has not been excelled lincc the session tLet for coaTK9 personal abasa of the support era of the bill generally , ar.il Mr. Howard and a'l bankers In patticular. Mr. Troupe was frequently called to order by the chair and requested several time ] to confine Ins re * m'viks to the question before the committee , He eventually imlsided , after an hour's harangueIn which ho raved Incessantly , Hi ich to the amusement of members and the who were in the house , Mr. Howaid said he vvuuld not reply lo the tirade * of abuse and petti Toggery of Mr. Troup. Ho was unwilling to occupy the time of the homo In personal abuse cf any kind. And ualc s ho had an argument he would keap quiet.Mr . Mr Stevennon now moved to substitute Senate Kilo No 1 for House Roll No. 3. This ltd to moro confusion , in the midst of which SenateVllo 27 was mido to api > ear upon the nreae , which apt > cirnnco maJe matters worce House Roll 111 was also introduced to the committee , and the confusion having become general the committee rote and repotted to the house that H. H . ' ! hti > , and 101 bo , indefi nitely POB ! poned and Hi it S. 11 do pats Sen.ito hlo receiving no report from thu com mittee. Mr. Ncttlelon had moved that Sentto I'ilu " 7 bo indehmtely costponed , and without ar riving at any conclnnloii the lionso took n ro cuss after a stormy mornlng'rt sodon with no practical result so far .13 legislation is con- urnul. Artornoou Session. Special Telegram to Tun BKE. LIWCOLV , February 18. Oonsleler.xblo ex citement prevails hero tonight and there IB great rejoicinf in some quarters over the passage - ago through the house of House Koll . ' 121 , a railroad bill. One unacquainted with the present state of legislation , and who did not knavv better , would bo led to believe that something very wonderful in the way of ameliorating legifla tiun had been CLCompllshed , . A close exami- tion would reveal the fact rhat absolutely nothing had really b en dune. The members who supported tbo bill know right well that It would never bicoma n law 'Ino suiata kid rejected a similar bill of their own , ami would not accept this , but the mem bers thought It would be.\ menus whereby they might obtain a cheap notoriety , and be placed on record rts having supported a rail- raid bill. This is their ambition , ncd to day they found an opportunity cf satisfying it , and at the tame time gulling and quieting their constituents. The hi 1 in question was house roll 3"l , bill to establish maximum freight riles nnd to rexttU'u pvnenger fare ] to I ! Mid ! IJ cents a mile , according to the class of rilhoads. In the committee th's bill was rushed through without consideration , tto numbers having no other desire than to u n it that they might lommlato a record. They bavu succeeded in doing this for to-day It pas ediud ] , as far as the luuso Is concerned , is a law. The peiple , huwever , will have bomethinz to say of the persuin who build up records on such falsa nnneiples. The following voted against the bill : Ad , ms , Blaco , Conger , lleimrich IloLknell lolmes , Krony , llilej' , Lievesfeldt , Taylor , Troup , Wait ? , Wiuspeai , Wright and Mr. peaker. Wlnt is callt d the contagious diseased am nil act , which in reility is a bill to provuio a itito cow elector and to compcnsato etock alsers for losses sustained by death from die- iate-4 omom ; cittle , ia a 't leco of legislation vhich would mulct the etuto in the Bum S13 003 j early. 'Iho I ill met its fate , being rejected by one vote only. But Its promoter asUed tlut the bill be. recommitted , and h'a ' request was granted. Church Howo'Bbillsen > xt < ) file27to icfund tin ive per cent penalty on delinquent tax pas'cd to duy. also .1 bill miking county wiirints ii > able in ten days inste.atl of ninety cs at jireatnt. Both laws being consldeied very beneiiclal. THH UOUBE. AI TFIftOOX SI SblON. special Corre"pondenco of Tm : BEP. LINCOLV , Xeb. , February 17. The housi met this afternoon at 2.30 and proceeded ti business in a wciikmanliko manner. The firs b'ul that came up was II. It. 18C , now wol known as the Kearney reform school bill , which vv.is mi its final reading , The bill EeeKi to set asidu S3),000 of the state's money fo the constriu tion of nsvv reform school build ings at Kearney. Whit is called the old buildings , although only built eomo thro ye.ira ago , are cow deemed insufficient nnd unsulted to present requirements. This fac was unatttleei in thu minds of the committal which went to inspect the present school eve : it good lune.li , Tut ) fault nud thu faotthat tin lobbies liero at prebent working to obtain 1 tlu > now state building * for their respective lo cationa h ivo 1 OHMI.I ) A. CONUvDEJIATIOK to help each other In tlieh respectlv o efforts t Becnro their wanti was enough foi tha com mitteo. The picnic haa caused thu cominittei tn make no report bub hud placed then m a sUto of mind to suppur : the bill. Mr. Is'lchol vvaj tha first to cpjiohi tha bill and ha moved Its lecjinmlttal to the committee of the whole. Ho said the bill had been [ Aishcd through the house and mumbsra dul not understand it , and he strongly urged tha recommittal of thu bill. Mr. OlmsteaJ , who was one of the picniek era , could feu no reason why the housa should chiiBge it ) action in lommittcK. . ] lo thought it econoaiy und good tento to allow the grant. Ho always advocitfs good nemo but tiiould try i > nd show n little morn of tint which he id ever au\louito udvLcato Mr Tliomaj , of Ciss , Htrnngly opposed tbo bill a being unn ctsaary , and too much to burden thu sUto with at the present time , Mr. Varuor also opposed the bill , nud said members In J told him they did not under stand 1-bi purport of thu bill. Ho thought it veiyutuvnu to throwuway § , ii ) , < ) UO of tin ) people n uonoy during the present Inid tunes. Mr. Holiae'3 tliought it a bid precedent fo undo wh.it the house had already done in committee ut tbo vvhol . He supported the ) bill , nnd thought the appropriation of &X > ,000 a wise ionomy. Mr. Miller opposed the bill and said he would bo wliamed If lie vvai onuof the corn- mltte'O of inquiry If ho did not know ciora ivbuut tbo etate of alfairs at the reform school than they do. Mr. Klley fcuppjrted the hill atsoire lenfth and thought the stats should make Its appro priations to meet Ihe loe-rraaing reiuJremei.U of tha tut . Ho dfl not think the approprl atiun a kteil ind ha felt assurud tha money would Iw I'xpt'nded properly. Mr. Wright bop d Uio housa would pass the bill and on the uiotioa of Mr , Nlchol being put it was lott by IS to 34 against. The bill was thru read A third time. Sen.itc file 13 , a bill to prevent the selling of cigaretV' , cigars or tobacco to \i\rn orOE , wan p.ve d on its third reading. Tha secretary of the scinto announced that the senata had appointed Senatois McShano , Burr end Skinner to act with a like committee of the hpuoa lo arrange for the * conclusion of the aotsion. The house then wmt into committee of the whole and took home roll M foi i 8 consideration. This ia n bill vvh'ch seeks to change an old law and appoint only one supervpor to every 3.COD inhabitants In stead of 1,000 M heretoforeMr. . Klley strone- ly oppoied the bill at it would interfere with the right ) of the people Mr. Lunpo said he could not understand Mr. Hlley's objec ion , because the- bill wou'd tot nllcct Douglas county , to wli'uh Mr. Klley replied ho was legislating for the eta'n and not D ntal < s only. Mr. L'mpa now attempted to substitute an other bill for tha ono under consul ration and nfter some wraiiKlin ? was ruled out of order. On a motion of Mr Hilcy the bill was mdeicd to bo reported to iho house vulh the recntn mendation that it bo indefinitely po > tponcd. After huuso roll f5 had been dlfpoicd of tatitfactorily VMthout comment , the commit ten tnok up lioiifo roll 73 , n bill to amend the criminal c do , and to allow persons Indicted for foony the power of calling fifteen wit nesses In their behalf , and compelling the state to pay their expenses. Mr. llolmos opposed this bill will ) some ) furco and said it was n dangerous bill to pose , as It would bankrupt somn of the counties If prisoners wciu innocent they could get wit noises without pay. Mr. 1'ield supported the bill , and thought it bhould rrcommend itself to all good lawyers juacticing in the criminal court" . There can lie no such thing as jiutico to prinoncis until 'hey are placed on n level with the stati > prosecutor ? , the latter a'\\ajs having plenty uf money. Mr. Stephenson hoped the bill would pass mid after Mr. Johnson had tpoken the committee mitteo ordered the bill to be reported for pas sage. Senate File R was the next bill dealt with anil after Mr. Colfax bad explained its pro vitions to the house it was recommended to paP. The committee now rose and the house took a recess until 7.39 p. m , ( \ENIVa SESSION. On tlia motion of Mr. Huf sell the. house held an evening t > eFsion to-night at i'30 to consider House Roll 170 , a bill to provide for A STATIC OtOLOGICAL SL'UI.IOK , and to provide for a mlneralogiuil anel geolog ical survey of tha state. Mr. Russell intro duced the bill and in n very lucid manner ex plained its meaning and object to the hons- > which was in committee of tha whole. His speech was of the iiatura of a Bciontific lecture whkh a few only listened to , oth n having no doubt assured themselves they wouldn't if they had listened. He said every other state had a geol gist and it v\atimotor this state to adopt moans to secure similar services. He str ugly urged the ptpsaga of the bill. Mr. Winstar object'd t ) the bill becanso the state hid got on vviOl up to now and geologists had never been any good. They hid never found minerals but could toll > ou all about thorn when they were found. Ho also opposed the bill on ilia score of i eonomy nnd ho objected to voting the peoples' mrney for any Btato geologist. Ilodoea cotobjpct t > ecienco but object * to pay for it. Mr. Win- npeir ev Idently forgets he was ono nf the committee who a fuw days ego recommended an appropriation of § 13,000 foi compensation to slock raisers m casu their cows died of disease. And ha then proposed to pay a sal anud vcertm.vry sureeon Si.GOO a year. This bill was pe > .ed , too , in tin ly on the rocommen datinn of the committee. Mr. Whitmoro strongly acel ably suppjrteel the bill and tAought tha state should domoio thin raise moro earn tor hogi' . Ha thought it was tuni ) tha stata diel Eorruthing fnr s-cience. Mr Holmes was in favor of the bill a ] aU i was Mr. I'mcrson , Mr 1'ield supported the bill atsomo length and thought the state ; Bhould do something moro than raise hogs and hominy. Mr. Nichul was turprisodto hear objections boc.iuso there was an appropriation to bo mado. The house w/is alwsjs very willing tc rpeud miii y until now. Ho supported thg bill. bill.After After con iderablo confusion in which Mr , Brown made hiimelf conspicuous by oidi a point cf order with the chair in which lie wan altogether out of order , the committee re poite'd the bill to bo iLilounitaly postponed. Iu the house Mr. Johnston tiicd to save th b'll by _ moving tint the report bo not ton- < ui rti in , but Ms motion wan lott and the bill indefinitely postponed It baing now 10 30 the house adjourned. It is intended that to-morrow the most 1m portaut bills will no selected from ttie general die .mil presented to the boose in the order of importance ) Unl > lnet Spcculattoiis anil Adjcurii- incnt Talk. Special telegram to the BKE. Ai IIVNT , 1'ebruary 18. It seems to bo con ceded that Cleveland Is now devoting his at tention to his inaugural address. Having determined to his own satiefac'.ion at last the chief knotty points cuiceming his cabinet. It was not iutundtd that any publicity should bo given to the fact that thu composition of the cabinet was practically settled , and would bccomo known this week Thosa who ar < ) u raomlly interested In it mil huvo all the < no ledg they dcfi'o within a few day * . That its ofhctul promulgation will not follow until after the Inauguration goes vvnhout BDyirg , Tf no dohmto information reaches the outside world within the comm ? week it will bo because a change of plan has Lieu determined upon by Cleveland - land , azting under the advice ot his friends. There n no eioub at this moment that four , if not five , portfolios are so disposed of that no change at all is probable , An adjournment of thu legislature * during tha week of icauguration is much do lred by n number of dnmocrats. They arc talking up thu subject with thu republic nn. There ia no precedent for such a demand and the latter are not enthusiastic over tha lelua at much as moct of them elishko legislative labor. Ar- langcments will probably ba undo to allow the < ] < inocrats to got away by pairing on the political question. TIio WhlHky Pool. I On , , \ . .o 18 The , Tflbruary , western c\- jort ofeoclation met lieio to-day to consider the trouble which has arisen with one of the l\kln , Ills , , distilleries , growing out of an old and unpaid assessment. Tvo propositions were cousielbred one , to keep the association intact , re'gatdlois of thu I'ekin firm ; the other , to ditsolvn the pool and let all the houses run at will. No cuuUution was reached. Another meeting will be held to m rrou. OIilo Dofoaih tlio Aiitonilinont , COI.UUIIL-H , Ohio , February 18A resolo. tion proposing the lubmlttmg of the propoii. tlon fur an amendment to the cnnstitnt on tn license the liquor tra/ho / was defeated lu thu ho/jae o ! repreaentativcfl to day by five votes. WASHINGTON NEWS. Ohio People ConfiiM That Tlmrni3n Gets lit ) itc Cabinet , The Senate Passes the Foreign Oontrnot Labor Bill , The Old Bonault Claim Again Sprung on the Government ! The Text of thetForeigii Labor Contract Bill , The Penalties For Violation Are $1,000 , Per Man , A Protest d iilnst , the I'Vci-nnhons rartlclpatinK Inftlio AV ton Mcintinicut K HENATK. WASHINGTON , PubruaTy 18 At 11 o'clock ho only senator In the chamber was 1'd- mtind" , who promptly at that hour entered with the chapjain. IMmuods , objervlng the lituation , abstained from taking the chair and he and thn chaplain tcok seats on the floor. After a few minutes delay Merrill came in \vith Lbout two or three others. The days proceedings were so far he-gun as that thu chaplain offered prayer. The few senators t reaut indulged themselves awlulo m eloquent silence , which was finally broken by Mordll , who moved to Cull tha senate. Tha call began with four senators and con cluded with \teen. . 1 hat not being a quorum the names of the abaentees were ) called. This brought ten moro , but that being thirteen shoit of a quorum matters came to a stop Conger inquiied whether it was safe to pro ceed with reading the journal of yesterday. The chair said no. Conger remarked that he was not an alarm ist and had only inquired for information. An amendment was offered by 1'lutnb nnd agreed to excepting thu professional artUta 'rom the provision bill , ilalc asked that the unanimous consent bo given to dispense with tha'reading. . Tee chairman refused to retain the propo silion , the calling having ihown the absence of a quorum. At 1120 the chair announcad o quorum present and and tha journal was rend and thu morning business proceeded with. Lawe ) < , from the cpmmifteo on Indian af fairs , reported the original bill to onahlo tbo president to negotiate fcr the purchase from the Creek , Siminolo and Cherokee nations their remaining interest ia the so-called Okla homa lands. Calendar Lipham'a rjraarks were inter rupted by tha regular o'rder of the anti-for eign bontract labor bill. Lapham offered an amendment to the con tract labor bill , providing tint the whole pen alty recovereel th.ill bo palel into the Utited StatfJ treabiiry , instead of , as btbo mil , I.erimttiDg one halt the penalty to go to the person who may first bring suit , t The amendment was ogiead to , notwith standing the energetic attempts of Blair to explain It would FeriouslyJ'invoiir the efficacy of tha bill. Bluir tlieiifcfatKf , tn amend ment , making it the duty of thoUnitcd States ntrict attorney of tho-'proper district to prosecute at the oxpenho of the United States uverycaeoof violation of thoa.t , Agieed to ye is 12 , nays 15. Tha bill then passed. Ye.is50 ; nrvs 9. Vote m detail : YBSS Aldrlch , Allison , Blair , Bower , Brown , CfjllUamden.CameioD , ( Wis ) , Chase , I'ongor , Cullom , Dawec , Oolph , Kair , Frye , George , Gib.ion , Gorman , Hale , Hums , Hm/isuu. Ingade. Jacknon , Jonas , .loiica , ( Nevadt ) , Kenna , Lamai , Lip him , AlcMi Ian , Mcf lierson , Mahone , Miller , ( 'ala ) , Miller ( N. Y ) , Mitchell , Merrill Palmer , Tike , l'ht , I'lumb , I'ugh. Hainom Sibin , Sawyer , Sowell , bheiman , Van \Vyck Vest , V'oortiee , Walker and Wilson. Nays-1 lutter , Gronmo' Hampton , Ifawlej a-tey , M orgau , tjiulisbury , Yauco and Williams. Adjouined. _ HOUSE. WVSIIINGTON , February 18. Upon reeon cning this morning the continuation of vector day's session , tha conference ) report upon tin District Columbii appropriation was agreei , o , The house then went Into the cammlttei of the whole ontha river and liarbor bill. Under agreement hilf an hour wni divided among thu opponents of the bill. Potter opposed any appropriation for the Honnipin canal. 1 Eu said Illino's ' would alone bo benefittcd and the Btato was nble to con- ftruct thi c > nal with her , -own vvonlth. New York state had built and maintained the Drio cin.il. 1'eading the vote on tbo amendment pro- . Idingtln biard should include the proposed mprovemfiit of ( ialvestcn harbor report to the tecrotary of war , the CKnunittee rose the houeo adjourned and the Wednesday session began. , The morning hour was dispensed with. HutchlcB moved tha house go Into commit- tee. of the whole on the taval bid. The motiJii was loet , yeas It' . ' , nays 129 ' , 10 vvhnlo on tha river .il fi harbor bill. 1'eidlng the amoBelment tvhich was offered ai .1 Mit'snluto for th'p onliro piroeraph rela idi tive to tha G al v estm ( harbir was ad opte d. [ it approppriatoa S30,000 ( to the improvement afr Galveitem liarbor , and directs the harbor board to proceed at once to examine the plans specifications and estimates for thu improve ment and repoit to the secretary of war for Ins approval On motion of 1'rlco tbo giiiecdment was adopted Increasing from1 812 500 to & ' . 8UOO the appropriation for the ; harbor at Superior Bay and the iiarbor at St , Loins Bay. A large number of amendments were offered but with one or two unimportant exceptions wera voted down. Pending further action the eommlttoJ rosa and took a receia uutil to-morrow. WASHING ION NOTEd , Spe-cml Telegram to TIIK Bgp , SENMOIt TIllllJIVN'ri WA-iiii.saTO.v , IVbruary It ? , ThuOlbpco- pleura very confidant to-day that ex .Senator Thuiinan is lo be tenierud u placa In the calt- inet. In this view they ara supported bby Hewitt .tad Itandall , who say there lemaips no doubt that a place will bo tendered , and it will probibly bo that ot secretary of the in terior. There li n strong pressure from the people generally , who remember with admiration his courio tn the senate with reference to nilway nnd land mutters , in favor of his being given a place , and Hewitt , who said thron ( Uya ego that Thurman would not bo in the cabinet , now gays bo feel ) confident that n p'ao wlil bo tendered him , Tbo change in the situation is brought about largely by the expedition of the stories which put devvn Thurman as a drunkard. nntncv BILL PASSKI ) . The bill authorizing llm construction of n bridge across the St , ( . 'rolx river at Stllhvater , Minn. , passed the home to-day , and goes to the president for his signature. This will permit the completion nf tha Minneapolis & . Sault St Marie road , which the Minneapolis people believe n Reilng to carry all Ih'ir wheat to B > itn and Poitlatd , as it Is by the way ef the Canada tiouthern rovl emi > 800 miles nearer to the ecabo.ird than by the way of Chicago , Auoclated Press , CI.KVKUVNI ) VVAVTS TH T PKTtrtON . Hcprcscntativu Kcagan to-day received a communication from Presidentcloct Cleve land , reqnostmg that the patltlon of the dem ocratic members of the house , urging him to refrain from committing himself In regard to the coinage of silver , in hU inaugural address , bo forwarded to him by mail. Itia under stood that his request Is ia respond * to nn In quiry whether ho proferroJ to receive it by midl or at the hands of a delegation of ilgnors. Kopretentntivo Millard , of tha committee on HKtOHM IN CIVIL BKlmcIf , Submitted minority report , signed by the republican members of the committee , in fav or of Kepresontativo Taylor's bill to prohibit the dischar oof honorably discharged soldiers , or sailors , or elependont relatives from any ollico in the civil eervoot the United States , except for cause. The report Bays In put : This clats of government employes have a c'.iim upon tba gratitude of the nation that ciimot ba easily compensated. They raved tha counliy from dismemberment and dis honor. Wo Mibmlt it Is but a just and proper recognition of their claims , they should bo re tained in the government's service as lorg M they can faithfully and effectually perform their ollicial duties. The bill ia eminently just In its provisions , and should be passed with the following amendment : "It ehould not apply to n class of officers embraced in the original tenure of ollico act parsed March 3,1&07 , and amended April 5 , 18C9. " The general dpfic'ency bill reported to the house to-day provides n appropriation ? . ! , C01- 91C of which amount 875,001) ) IB appropriated In ompltanco with the recommendation of the po'tmaater general for clerk Into in the vari ous postoflices and it alee provides that the accounting officer of the treasury department shall not receive any claim ogaioat the United States unless it shall h.vvo been filea within onojyear from the pastngn of this act , or with in hve years after it shall have occurred , or unless it shall havq arisen under obligation or liability of tbo United States incurred by the authority of law , or under some appropriation originally applicable to the payment thereof THE OLIJ HhSAULT CtAPI for lands in Illinois which had been before the interior department for years , and has on ccveral occasions been presented to congress for consideration , formed the b.nia of another decision of the secretary of the interior to day. The case cimo no on petition , by one of the claimants to have a p tent issued to him. The secretary doubts the authority of the de- partmoat to Issue a patent nnd thinks it would be improper to do FO without legisla tive authoiity , In the light of-infonuntion the elep rtment now pos'es oi > , he therefore de clares to graut the petition. Forty-live fine farms arc * included within the lands claimed by the petitioner. lOIttlCN COMIl VCT LAI1011 DILL. Tliefollovvlng Is the teott of the house "for e ign contract labor" bill as amended ai.el passed b } the senate. Bo it enacted , etc : Section 1. Tr.at from and after the pasiago of this act it thall bo unlawful for any person partnership or eorpt ration , in any manner whatever to prepay transportation , or in anj wuy osHjt or encjiiiagu the impoitationof ini migration of any alien or aliens , any foreigiu'i or for igners , into the United State ? , its ter ritories , or the District of Colcnbia , undei contract or agreement , psrolo or fpeciil ex presitd or implied , or made previous to thi importation for immigi.ition of tuch alien o : aliens , foreigner or foreigners , to perform la borer or service of any kind in the Umtei d dtatee , its territories or the District of Col umbia. Sec 2. That all contracts or ngrociiientM , express or implied , parole or special , which rni > y heroiftcr bo made by and between any ptibon , c mpany , partnership orcorpoiutiuu , and any fueigner or foreigners , alien 01 aliens , topeiform laborer Bcrvic" , or having refer OUCH to thu fe'rfonnanca of labor or eorvica by any peuon in the United States , Its tcrri- t'irics or the District of Columbia previous to tha importation of any ponon or persons vvhosn labor or tei vice ia contracted fur , into the Unile'd States , shall bo utterly void , and of no ollcct. idy Sec 3 That for every violation of any provision of section ono of this act , the person , partnership , compiny or corporation violating , the same , by knowingly , assisting , encourag ing or soliLitlng the migration or tlici importa tion efan > alien or aliens , or any foreigners into the United Stale. " , its territories or the District of Columbia , to perform laoar or sor- vleo of any kind under contiact or agreement express or implied , pirolo or special , with such alien or aliens , foreigner or foreigner ? , previous to becoming a resident or citi/en of thu United .States shall forfi it or pay ton M'Env SUCH OHE.SSK ono thousand dollars , which nny be sued for and recovered by the United States or by nny porhon who shall firtt bringhii action therefor , including any such alionjor foreigner who may bo a party to any such contract or agreement , UH debts of liku amount are now recovered In 1Btho | eiicuit courts of the United States , the proceeds to ba paid into tha treasury of the United States , and separata suits may bo brought for each alien or foreigner being guilty to such contract or agreement uforeiau , &nd It ( hall bo the duty of the district attor ney of the proper district to pioaecuteevery i such suit at the expense pi the I'liltcd Sta'eu. | Sictlon4. That tbo nuster of any vessel ' , who shall knowingly bring within thu United States on any inch vet sal and land , or permit to be landed , from any foreign jiort or place any alien laborer , mechanic or artisan who. previous to embarkation on such vessel had entered into a contract or agre ement , paroh or special , express or Implied , to peform ser < vice or Utor in the United State's , i-hall erba deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on eon < victlon the roof Khali bo 'punUhod by a line not more than 9503 for each and every such aleln laborer , mechanic or artisan so brought , and may also bo Imprisoned not exceeding tin months. Sec , C , That nothing in this act fcball bo ei conitrutd as to pievent any citl/cn or eubjetl of anv fen ipn country temporarily residing in the United .States , either In private or uthcial capacity , for negsqing uoeler contract or othrrwue1 , persons not residents or citlrcm of the Unite'd States , to act aiptivatstecretancs sorvtiitfjor domostu i for such foreigner tern porntily rending In tin United States , nir tliall this act b'3 PO cmtnicd an to prevent any person or pcrsoic , p rtnrnhipi or corpor ations from engfging under contract or agree ment , skilled workmen in foreign countries to perform lalor in the United State" , in or upon any now mduitry not al preie-nt ost.ib- llfhtd In the I nitel tft.tos. 1'rovldcel , that skilled labrr for ttrit purpono cannot other- WHO bo nbtimed. Nor shall tlio provisions of this act apply to professional acton , arliita , lecturers or iurve < yeti , Lor to persons employed strictly ai | crsmial or domoetlj ser vants ; provided tint nothing m this act shall ba construed as prohibiting any individual from it h'intr ' any member of his family or any relative or pstBonal friend to migrate' from any foreign country to the Unl'e-d States for the jmrpo o of sc'ttle'mcnt here. " Sec , li. Itepeals conflicting lawp. The bill now goes bick to tha house for concurrence or mm concurrence in the senate amendment. WASIIIXOIOV , February 18 The senate in c'\ecutiui session continued the nomination of llmery Spo.ii for United Stiles district Judga of ttiu southern district of ( loorgia , Thu vote stood 25 to " ( i. Senator Halo voted in the negative and Senator Drown in the alllrnu tivn. The division was otherwise upon party lines. A Cll\VkT I'ETITIOS. A printed protest of largo propirtions against permitting masonic boeieties to partici pate in the dedic.itiem of tbo Washington monument next Satuidny _ lm been received by the cnngHSiional committee charged with thu arrang 'nents. The signers claim to have 13,000 structure's. Thu protest c mo too late for action by the * committee. Tno chief complaint of the pati turners ia that the Uatholics have been snub bed and 1'rce M.IEOIIS honored in the matter Tlio Illinois Hciuuor.milp Special telegram to the 13KB. Sl'P.lNonhLl ) , Ills. , rcbruary 18. When the joint assembly was called to order to-lay 51 senators and 151 representatives answered to their names. Sittig and O'Shea were the only absentees. There was an apparent disposition on the part of the assembly to come to a vote. Senator Campball , ( Rep ) and Duncan ( Dem. ) announced that an agreement had been made whereby the lalanco should be preserved in the event of the arnival of either Sit ig and O'Shea , and the JJagreement was by unanimous consent , made a nilu of the as sembly for to day. On the first billet Logan received ICO votcp , the so'id topuhlican vote , and Col. Morrison 03 votes. Soi ator Strcotor voted for John Smith nnd senatoiB Campbell and Duncan did not vote , Brachtendorf , Schloslinger nnd Dorman of Cook , and Morgan of Will , voted for llaines. Mutt Murphy of Cook , for Frank Trawler and Mullioarn of Cook , fnr Jninea II. Ward Ilalnct voted for Morrison and Mncmilll.in , after a little pressure h id been brought to bear on him , for Logan. After the roll had been veiified. Senators Campboil mid Duncan voted making the re suit , Logan , 101 : Morriion , ill ; ncatteiing , 7 absent , 2 ; necessary to a choice , 102. "Long' Jones had figured out thu vote 1 nc before ic was announcad by the chdr and the Logan men were fairly dancing with joy. Democrats made nn effort to liavo a second ballot but this was fought down by the re publicans , and the joint assembly dissolved until noon to morrow. "That vote kills Morrison , " remarked Springfield politician after the re nit .had boonSinnounced. Certain It is that'tho hori zontal statesman and his friends are In tfn cave of gloom this afternoon. In certain quarters the leport has been in dustriomly citculatcd that Mori is n ia vigo - ously applying the pirty lish to the backs of the recalcitrants. Thii story is nltogclhc : baseless , perhaps that will bo done later on but so far nothing of tha kind has been at tempted. On the contrary all efforts are di rccted towaid tbo cnniili ition < f only twi Chicago members who contmuo in the ( him ph. "I think a 1 the Chicago de-legation wif coma around all right , " replieel Col. Morrno : in reply to.i cjrraspindent's question. "W have had no real test of their fidelity to far. lie added "but I think when their votes are ! of sorv ice they will bo cast in the right direc tion. | AII Imnoitanf Postofllco Test C.isc Decided. INIHANMOIIS , February 18.-A special to the Journal from Bloomingtcn , Ills. , eayt , 1ft ters have been received there from the attor ney general anel the postmaster general of the United States , announcing the termination of a very important case concerning fiist class postolllees. The point at i flua aroeo in tha BloomiDRton poitofhcc1. Gen , Dick , post | masti'i , was defendant in a test cteu in which ho retained money.ordcr fdts to the amount of ofd nearly 55 , 00 , though the work was performed by tlio assistant nnd the latter raised the claim th it ( ithei the fees should in part or in the whole have been luid to him , or covered : into tha treasury rf the United States. Thu attention of the postoflico department i v , as called to the CASO and a test case was ' mado. A syndicate of postma6tern interested was formed to provide inear H to defend tlio caee , which pasted through the courts with vary ing results , until it IIUH now been decided in ' Dicks favor. The decltion will add very 'irgelytotha expense maintaining tlio uiall service of tha country , Tlio 1'iopcllor liolilK" " lc < * d. CMICAQO , February 18. The Inter-Ocean's South Haven , Mich. , special says : The pro- puller Michigan , which left Grand Haven a week ago last Monday , lias been heard from She is lockeJ In the ice twenty thrco mllet vvettof bore , nnablo to move. Seventeen ol her crew crossed the Intervening iea and reached tlio there Rome miles north of here last night. They La-t a perilous ) und wear ! some journey. Ono of tha mm gavooutane was carried five mile a on the back of another They say thirteen mm remain on board er.ho propeller ; that they iiavo lations for twenty hvuelaye , and ninety tons of coal ; that tin ice extends weatnurd into the lake as far as | thu 030 can reach. | UlcvatPrt NKIV Yoilh , February lb , The elovatee railroad COB. to da > elgnilied their assent't < the scheme of taxation proposed by the corpo > - rotlon coune.ll , and have filed the retuuix > in the ollico of the tax commissioner , Tno i n tire assessment of all the elevatixi roads og BregaUdiSll.27,35 , . . Two Sleaincrs Iliii-ncil , MEMI-IIIH , February 18-Steamers IdaDar r gh end Helena were burned to-day , Lose 8105,0 , 0 ; Insurance , § 70,000 , ON 'CHANGE. The Lcaflino ; iriic'cs in Til-Day' ' Mar ket Dragged Qnilc Hcayy , Fat Oattlo Were in Fair anil Steady Demand , Hogs Were Bought Up as Fast as They Arrived , Wheat Opened n Shade Easier Thau It Closed Yesterday , Corn Opeued Steady and Showed Considerable Heaviness , Onth Continuctl Quiet anil Sto tljr Kjo Quotnlily Higher t i-o\ls- Ion Quite * tlutlvo asil Firm , CHICAGO MAHK12TS , Special telegram to TIIK HUE. * CHICAGO , February 18. The leading arli- cleain so-e'ay'a ' market dragged quite heavily , receiving little if any Bjpport from any quar ter cxce-pt probably the Now York stock list. Keceipts were again very light , tbo blockade ) still prevailing. The close ) of the morning' Hussion was quiet but steady and fcaturolosa except in thu provision list which was vvc.ik W1IKAT opened a shade easier than it closed yesterday t but run through the morning soesion in n vciy steaely anel fi aturelcss manner , only showing fluctuations of Jc. Trading wa far from active , and was c.uriod on by the local crowe' , An easier tone prevailed oftei the noon hour , value's dropping back to only a fraction over opening. JNo. 2 spring sold at 7U3 ( 7'Jic. The close of thu morning cession was ( | ukt and about steady. coiu opened nbout steady , the only feature of the market being a bulge in 3'ebiuary , in responio to the rapid advance if this delivery in Now York , it being the popular belief that a corner m this months delivery is being inn tbere , In other futures tbo tendency was downward , and tha tone of the market ono of considera ble huav mes ? . No. " cish was cpioted nomi nally at SSc. quiet , very inactive , and about steady , with speculative trading confined to seller May ut fc tluctuatien. ma ruUd quolably ic hielier , but there was none received , and little if any traded In. IforNo. 2 caih OJJc was bid , for March OSe , for April OUJc , and for May liSc. rnovisioss were quito active and moderately firm early in the day at slightly higher prices. W hat ehorts theru were in pork and lard were cover * cd early , advancing , the former " 4a Ge. In a. general way trading was slack , nnd after the Hist hour or to values tcndpd slightly downward - ' ward , the tone of the market becoming'pcr- cnptibly'oatior , February options were not mentioned , thcso and cash ruling I ho name aa March. Tha cloe , at 1 o'clock , wan vveolr , at a lapid decline ( him g the last hour's trading. On call both gram and provisions were n ehido easier , CATTU" . There was a f.iir , steady demand for fat cittle , and prices xuleel a tlmcio stronger. Taking .in advance of to-day and j OBterday , and thu appreciation would bolO@lfic , though eomo buyers were t-tronKly of the opinion that the advance was equal to 21c. The qual ity of tat cattlu was pool , tLcro 1 eing ecarcely rt good luad among the rmvals. Shipper ) ) were complaining of the senility of curt , but ) the railroud men , on tlio other hand , uaid there were plenty of cart for their tegular cus tomers , Choice fat cows and hciferx and high grades of butchois' stock are in gocd demand and him. Mo t of the can- nirg bouses are rgom operating , and canning stock was in better demand , with little tlo or no change in prices in u < mpared with lost week , but among to day's arrivals wera Urge per cent of o.d cows that sold at very low figures , Hulls vveio ecarco. Stockers and feeders were in light supply and oiily n few buyers on thu inaikit , lienco butintts wan mainly limited to the buying end celling of tpeeulatoiH anil yard dealers. .Steers 1,050 to 1,21)0 ) llu , < q'Gn)500 ( ) : l.iOOto l.HOO Ibs. , ? 175C < S5EO ; 1 350 to 1,500 , Ibs. , Sn-JScSKHO ; butchers' COVVP , & 2 50(8 ( I 25 , bulls , $ . ! OCC I 7C ; stockers , $ . ! OOfftl 20 ; feeelcru , . l UJfe 1 75 : Texans , $1 OOfefiOO.lioeis. lioeis. The market was fairly nctivo with both packers and Rhippeia buying ficsh rcceiptu about as Cant as they arrived , Common and nn diuin were strong and 5@10o higlu r , par ticular and fjncy borts was wanted. Tlio bnjera had to pay a fancy puce , tav m advance - vance of lOfci'lbc ' , euch telliDC to S5 V @ 5 30 with rumored sales at $5 n't ; light ueru i caret ) nnd generally quoted at § ldO ; packing anil ( lnpiing ) 325 to100 Ibs. , S ! )0@5 ) 00light ; , ICO . .SICOgl'jo ! . l\IIBlllltO. . - OiiEK.Nsnuna , I'anl'obruary 18. Tills morn ing a enpicioiia looiinp box coveted with tin was found in the corridor of the court liousj and the report quickly spiead that an at tempt had been mudo to blow up tlio buildini ; with an infernal niaehiuo , The box was carefully unwrapped and in i found tbo clock works of n elunclng toy , : \ monkey with a piece of rope bunging out of . , the end winch had been singed , 10 .m to eivo it the appearance nf having been let elf , but - failed to bum , 'Jho amusement cnatcd by the hoax was only cxcitod by Indignation at a spoiled sensation. In Portland , Ore. I'OHTM.M ) , Ore ) . , rebnury 17. The Oro- gonlan'g special from Wlutcomb , W. T. , lays * Tlio now refciilenco of John If Stinger , prosl- de-nt of the Washington colony , WHH blown to atoms to night by el > nainlte. I > oia in SII.CCO ; no lives lost , The causa cannot bo learned but is tiipposcei to bo tbo tutcoum of land troubles , which has bt en brewing two y emu , Jlninewurtl Itonnil. CJUKKNSiowv , J'obmary 18. Canadian voy , I ager * who took ( Jonor/jl Wclieley's boats up the Nile auived honrln their way home ,