<DOC>
[Hinds Precedents -- Volume IV]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: f:hinds_ci.wais]

 
                              Chapter CI.

    HISTORY AND JURISDICTION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES--Continued.

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   1. The Committees on--
   Mines and Mining. Sections 4223-4230.
   Public Buildings and Grounds. Sections 4231-4238.
   Pacific Railroads. Section 4239.
   Levees and Improvements of the Mississippi River. Sections 
     4240, 4241.
   Education. Sections 4242, 4243.
   Labor. Sections 4244-4251.
   Militia. Sections 4252, 4253.
   Patents. Sections 4254-4257.
   Invalid Pensions. Sections 4258,4259.
   Pensions. Sections 4260, 4261.
   Claims. Sections 4262-4268.
   War Claim. Sections 4269-4272.
   Private Land Claims. Sections 4273-4275.
   District of Columbia. Sections 4276-4292.
   Revision of the Laws. Sections 4293-4295.
   Reform in the Civil Service. Sections 4296-4298.
   Election of President, Vice-President, and Representatives in 
     Congress. Sections 4299-4304.
   Alcoholic Liquor Traffic. Sections 4305,4306.
   Irrigation of Arid Lands. Sections 4307, 4308.
   Immigration and Naturalization. Sections 4309-4312.
   Ventilation and Accoustics. Sections 4313, 4314.
   Expenditures in the Various Departments. Sections 4315-4320.
   Rules. Sections 4321-4327.
   Accounts. Sections 4328-4335.
   Mileage. Section 4336.
   Library. Sections 4337-4346.
   Printing. Sections 4347-4349.
   Enrolled Bills. Section 4350.
   Census. Sections 4351, 4352.
   Industrial Arts and Expositions. Sections 4353, 4354.

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  4223. The creation and history of the Committee on Mines and Mixing, 
section 21 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Mines and Mining jurisdiction of 
subjects relating ``to the mining interests.''
Sec. 4224
  Section 21 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the mining interests: to the Committee on Mines and Mining.

  This committee consists of fifteen Members and one Delegate.
  It was established on December 19, 1865,\1\ and the present form of 
the rule dates from the revision of 1880.
  4224. Legislative propositions relating to the work of the Geological 
Survey have been reported by the Committee on Mines and Mining.--On 
April 17, 1882,\2\ the Committee on Mines and Mining reported a 
resolution authorizing an appropriation to enable the Geological Survey 
to procure statistics in regard to mines and mining, and make analyses 
of coal, iron, and oil.
  In 1906 and 1907 \3\ this committee reported bills authorizing 
examinations of the black sands of the Pacific coast, and providing for 
investigation of the water resources of the United States.
  4225. Propositions to establish departments or bureaus of mines and 
of geology have been reported by the Committee on Mines and Mining.--
The Committee on Mines and Mining reported in 1892 \4\ and 1900 \5\ the 
bills to create an executive department of mines and mining; in 1886 
\6\ the bill (H. R. 8101) to establish a bureau of mines and mining; 
and in 1906 \7\ on the subject of a bureau of geology and mining.
  4226. The Committee on Mines and Mining has reported bills for 
establishing schools of mines and mining experiment stations.--The 
Committee on Mines and Mining has reported bills for the establishment, 
from the proceeds of the sale of public lands,\8\ of schools of mines 
\9\ and mining experiment stations.\10\
  4227. The Committee on Mines and Mining has reported on the subject 
of alien ownership of mineral lands.--The Committee on Mines and Mining 
reported in 1888,\11\ and 1890 \12\ on the subject of alien ownership 
of mineral lands.
  4228. The subjects of the mineral land laws and claims and entries 
thereunder have been within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Mines 
and Mining.--The Committee on Mines and Mining has reported:

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  \1\ First session Thirty-ninth Congress, Globe, p. 83.
  \2\ This report reviews the establishment of the Geological Survey, 
which was authorized on an appropriation bill (First session Forty-
seventh Congress, Report No. 1065.)
  \3\ First session, Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 7; second 
session, Report No. 6408.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1003.
  \5\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 334.
  \6\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1881.
  \7\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1184.
  \8\ See also the Committee on Public Lands, section 4202 of this 
volume.
  \9\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Reports Nos. 385, 1631; first 
session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1136; First session Fifty-
seventh Congress, Report No. 604; second session Fifty-eighth Congress, 
Report No. 666.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress., Report No. 1966; first 
session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1066.
  \11\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 703.
  \12\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1140.
                                                            Sec. 4229
  In 1891,\1\ 1894, and 1895,\2\ on legislation relating to the mineral 
land laws and claims and entries thereunder.
  In 1882 \3\ on the bill (H. R. 4170) authorizing claimants to mines 
to make certain affidavits.
  In 1904 and 1905,\4\ on suits in mining claims, mineral veins within 
boundaries of placer claims, and exploration and purchase of mines 
within boundaries of private land claims.
  4229. Bills relating to the welfare of men working in mines have been 
reported by the Committee on Mines and Mining.--The Committee on Mines 
and Mining reported in 1890 \5\ a bill relating to the protection of 
the lives of miners; and in 1901 \6\ as to miners in the Territories.
  4230. The subject of mining debris in California has been within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Mines and Mining.--In 1888,\7\ 
1892,\8\ 1896,\9\ 1905,\10\ and 1906 \11\ the Committee on Mines and 
Mining reported on the subject of mining debris in California and as to 
the California Debris Commission.
  4231. The creation and history of the Committee on Public Buildings 
and Grounds, section 22 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to the public buildings and 
occupied or improved grounds of the United States, other than 
appropriations therefor.''
  Section 22 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of the United 
States, other than appropriations therefor: to the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds.

  There are sixteen Members on this committee.
  The committee was first established on September 15, 1837,\12\ with 
jurisdiction of ``subjects relating to the public edifices and grounds 
within the city of Washington.'' On March 10, 1871,\13\ on motion of 
Mr. Henry L. Dawes, of Massachusetts, this jurisdiction was extended to 
include ``all the public buildings constructed by the United States.'' 
The present form of the rule comes from the revision of 1880.\14\
  4232. The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds has jurisdiction 
of bills authorizing the purchase of sites and construction of post-
offices, custom-houses, and Federal court-houses in various portions of 
the country.
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  \1\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3484.
  \2\ Fifty-third Congress, second session, Reports Nos. 1283, 1338; 
third session, Report No. 1875.
  \3\ First session Forty-seventh Congress, Report No. 270.
  \4\ Fifty-eighth Congress, second session, Reports Nos. 1885, 2510; 
third session, Report No. 4095.
  \5\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2588.
  \6\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 148.
  \7\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 408.
  \8\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 165, 937.
  \9\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 876.
  \10\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 4202.
  \11\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1110.
  \12\ First session Twenty-fifth Congress, Globe, p. 34.
  \13\ First session Forty-second Congress, Globe, p. 53; Journal, p. 
27.
  \14\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 205.
Sec. 4233
  Legislation relating to the office of the Supervising Architect of 
the Treasury is within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds.
  The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds exercises a general 
jurisdiction over bills authorizing the construction of buildings for 
post-offices, custom-houses, and Federal courts in various portions of 
the country,\1\ as in 1907 the bill (H. R. 25758) amending an act 
entitled ``An act to increase the limit of cost of certain public 
buildings, to authorize the purchase of sites for public buildings, to 
authorize the erection and completion of public buildings, and for 
other purposes,'' and for other purposes. These bills carry only the 
authorizations. The actual appropriations are within the jurisdiction 
of the Committee on Appropriations.\2\
  In 1885 \3\ the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds reported 
the bill (H. R. 7523) defining the duties of the Supervising Architect, 
who controls the plans, etc., of buildings authorized by Congress.
  4233. Government buildings within the District of Columbia are within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
  The bill authorizing the acquisition of a site and erection of the 
Government Printing Office was placed within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
  On September 6, 1893,\4\ the joint resolution relating to the 
acquisition of a site and the erection of a Government Printing Office 
was changed from the Committee on Printing to the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds.
  The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds has also reported:
  In 1885,\5\ in relation to an underground cable for telegraphic 
communication between the various Departments of the Government.
  In 1890,\6\ on the subject of fire alarm for public buildings in 
District of Columbia.
  In 1894,\7\ on the subject of municipal building in District of 
Columbia.
  In 1906,\8\ an act to provide a site and building for the Departments 
of State, Justice, and Commerce and Labor.
  4234. The bill for the purchase of the house in which Abraham Lincoln 
died was reported by the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.--On 
January 29, 1883,\1\ the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds 
reported the bill (H. R. 7463) for the purchase of the house in which 
Abraham Lincoln died.
  4235. Subjects relating to the Zoological Park in the District of 
Columbia have been within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public
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  \1\ See Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, Report No. 5011; second 
session, Report No. 8041; also prior Congresses.
  \2\ These appropriations are usually carried in the sundry civil 
bill. See 34 Stat. L., p. 697.
  \3\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2445.
  \4\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Record, p. 1801.
  \5\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2395.
  \6\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2078.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1205.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 5095.
  \9\ Second session Forty-seventh Congress, Report No. 1899.
                                                            Sec. 4236
Buildings and Grounds.--In 1889\1\ the Committee on Public Buildings 
and Grounds reported the bill (H. R. 11810) for the establishment of 
the Zoological Park in the District of Columbia; and in 1890\2\ and 
1899\3\ on bills to provide for the organization, improvement, 
maintenance, seclusion, and readjustment of boundaries of this park.
  4236. Subjects relating to public reservations and parks within the 
District of Columbia, including Rock Creek Park, are within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.--On 
April 2, 1906,\4\ reference of the bill (H. R. 6000) to rectify the 
boundary line of Rock Creek Park was changed from the Committee on the 
District of Columbia to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
  In 1907 \5\ the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds reported 
the bill (S. 5201) ``to acquire certain land in the District of 
Columbia as an addition to Rock Creek Park and in Hall and Elvan's 
subdivision of Meridian Hill for a public park.'' \6\
  On March 28, 1906,\7\ the House changed the reference of bill (H. R. 
17412) for acquiring by condemnation for Government reservations 
certain triangles on Sixteenth street, in the city of Washington, from 
the Committee on the District of Columbia to the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds.
  On February 3, 1906,\8\ on motion of the chairman of the committee on 
the District of Columbia, the bills (H. R. 9325) to acquire certain 
ground for a Government reservation (H. R. 6031), to acquire certain 
grounds in the District of Columbia for a Government reservation, and 
(H. R. 72) to acquire certain ground for a Government reservation, were 
referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
  4237. Subjects relating to the House restaurant and kitchen have been 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds.--On April 8, 1869,\9\ the Committee on Revisal and Unfinished 
Business, which had charge of the House restaurant, had been 
discontinued, and the care of the restaurant was given by resolution of 
the House to the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds.
  On December 15, 1893,\10\ the House directed the Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds to investigate the condition of the kitchen of 
the House restaurant.
  In 1894 \11\ Public Buildings and Grounds reported on the subject of 
the House restaurant and kitchen, and on the sale of intoxicating 
liquors in the Capitol.
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  \1\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3907.
  \2\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 305.
  \3\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2329.
  \4\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, p. 4624.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 7642.
  \6\ In 1891 (first session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 870) 
however, the Committee on the District of Columbia reported the bill to 
establish Rock Creek Park, and in 1887 (second session Forty-ninth 
Congress, Report No. 3820) a bill providing for condemnation of land 
for this park.
  \7\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, p. 4423.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, p. 2039.
  \9\ First session Fortieth Congress, Journal, p. 201; Globe, p. 644.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Record, p. 254.
  \11\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Reports Nos. 74, 1831.
Sec. 4238
  4238. Subjects relating generally to the Capitol building, especially 
the House wing, have been reported by the Committee on Public Buildings 
and Grounds.--On January 18, 1882,\1\ the Committee on Public Buildings 
and Grounds reported the bill (H. R. 3181) directing the architect to 
make certain repairs in the House wing of the Capitol, especially in 
the House restaurant.
  The same committee also reported:
  In 1890,\2\ on the subject of shelving for the document room of the 
House.
  In 1891,\3\ on the subject of flags on the Capitol building
  4239. The creation and history of the Committee on Pacific Railroads, 
section 23 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Pacific Railroads jurisdiction of 
subjects relating ``to the railroads and telegraph lines between the 
Mississippi River and the Pacific coast.''
  Section 23 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the railroads and telegraphic lines between the Mississippi River 
and the Pacific coast, to the Committee on Pacific Railroads.

  This committee consists of fifteen members.
  It was at first a select committee, and was made a standing committee 
on March 2, 1865.\4\ The present form of the rule dates from 1880.\5\
  4240. The creation and history of the Committee on Levees and 
Improvements of the Mississippi River, section 24 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Levees and Improvements of the 
Mississippi River jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to the levees of 
the Mississippi River.''
  Section 24 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the levees of the Mississippi River, to the Committee on Levees and 
Improvements of the Mississippi River

  This committee has thirteen Members.
  Originally this was a select committee, to whom were referred matters 
relating to the levees of the Mississippi River. On December 9, 1875, 
Mr. Randall L. Gibson, of Louisiana, presented a resolution, which was 
agreed to, establishing as a standing committee the ``Committee on 
Mississippi Levees.'' \6\ In the next Congress the name was changed to 
its present form, and the committee reported and secured the passage of 
the bill establishing the Mississippi River Commission.\7\ Up to the 
time of the revision in 1880 there had been no rule defining the 
jurisdiction of the committee. While the rules were under discussion at 
that time an attempt was made to define the jurisdiction by the words 
``improvement of the Mississippi
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  \1\ First session Forty-seventh Congress, Report No. 23.
  \2\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1753.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3796.
  \4\ Second session Thirty-eighth Congress, Journal, p. 387; Globe, p. 
1312.
  \5\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 205.
  \6\ First session Forty-fourth Congress, Record, p. 191.
  \7\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 452, remarks of 
Mr. Robertson.
                                                            Sec. 4241
River and its tributaries,'' but this was defeated, and the words of 
the present rule were adopted.\1\
  4241. Subjects relating to the Mississippi River Commission are 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Levees and Improvements of 
the Mississippi River.--In 1880 \2\ the bill creating the Mississippi 
River Commission was reported by the Committee on Levees and 
Improvements of the Mississippi River; and in 1900 \3\ the same 
committee reported a bill to amend that law.
  In 1906 \4\ it reported again on this subject.
  In 1891 \5\ this committee reported on the subject of levees.
  4242. The creation and history of the Committee on Education, section 
25 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Education jurisdiction of subjects 
relating ``to education.''
  Section 25 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to education, to the Committee on Education.

  There are thirteen members in this committee.
  Mr. Joseph Richardson, of Massachusetts, proposed a standing 
committee on Education on December 15, 1829,\6\ but the proposition was 
successfully opposed on the ground that the jurisdiction of the subject 
of education belonged to the several States, Mr. Richardson's motion 
being disagreed to, by a vote of 127 to 52. On March 21, 1867,\7\ Mr. 
Nathaniel P. Banks, of Massachusetts, from the Committee on Rules, 
reported a proposition for the establishment of a standing Committee on 
Labor, which had been proposed by Mr. Jehu Baker, of Illinois, so 
amended as to establish a Committee ``on Education and Labor,'' the 
recent creation of the Bureau of Education rendering such a step 
desirable. On December 19, 1883,\8\ the two jurisdictions were divided, 
leaving the rule in its present form.
  4243. Illustrations of the general jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Education.--The Committee on Education has reported on the following 
subjects:
  In 1884,\9\ the bill (H. R. 4980) relating to the aid of the General 
Government for the support of common schools.
  In 1890,\10\ the bill (H. R. 634) to aid in the establishment and 
temporary support of common schools.
  In 1901,\11\ the bill (H. R. 1221) to provide for the education of 
the blind.
  In 1899,\12\ the bill (H. R. 9) to provide homes for teaching 
articulate speech to deaf children.
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  \1\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, pp. 732-735, 822-
824.
  \2\ First, session Forty-sixth Congress, H. R. 1847.
  \3\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 1651.
  \4\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 2759, 4774.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3598.
  \6\ First session Twenty-first Congress, Journal, pp. 42, 55; 
Debates, pp. 475-477.
  \7\ First session Fortieth Congress, Globe, p. 264.
  \8\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Record, pp. 195, 196.
  \9\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 495.
  \10\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2605.
  \11\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2424.
  \12\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 5.
Sec. 4244
  In 1890,\1\ the bill (S. 3714) ``to apply a portion of the public 
lands to the more complete endowment and support of the colleges \2\ 
for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts.''
  In 1884,\3\ on the investigation of the agricultural colleges.
  In 1891,\4\ on the subject of an Alaskan agricultural college.
  In 1906,\5\ on the incorporation of the National Educational 
Association.
  4244. The creation and history of the Committee on Labor, section 26 
of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Labor jurisdiction of subjects 
``relating to and affecting labor.''
  Section 26 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to and affecting labor: to the Committee on Labor.

  This committee is composed of 13 members.
  It was created December 19, 1883, when the jurisdiction of the old 
Committee ``on Education and Labor'' was divided.\6\
  4245. The Committee on Labor has exercised general jurisdiction of 
propositions to make investigations as to the conditions of laboring 
people, labor troubles,\7\ etc.--The Committee on Labor has exercised 
jurisdiction over proposition to make investigations of subjects 
relating to the condition of labor, and has reported:
  In 1896,\8\ on the subject of a commission on labor, agriculture, and 
capital.
  In 1892,\9\ on labor statistics in relation to use of machinery.
  In 1886,\10\ a resolution relating to the investigation of labor 
troubles.
  In 1892,\11\ on an investigation of Idaho labor troubles.
  In 1891,\12\ on a commission to inquire into the condition of colored 
people.
  In 1892,\13\ on an investigation of the slums of cities.
  In 1888,\14\ on the condition of saleswomen in the District of 
Columbia.\15\
  In 1906,\16\ a joint resolution authorizing an investigation of the 
condition of woman and child labor in the United States.
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  \1\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2697.
  \2\ For this subject of the agricultural colleges, see also the 
Committee on Agriculture, section--of this volume.
  \3\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Record, p. 1496.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 4414.
  \5\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 592.
  \6\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Record, pp. 195, 196.
  \7\ See also section 4072 of this volume.
  \8\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 387.
  \9\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 514.
  \10\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1472.
  \11\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2016.
  \12\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 2194.
  \13\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 625.
  \14\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 2903.
  \15\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2745.
  \16\ The Committee on the Judiciary reported in 1894 a bill relative 
to treatment of female employees in stores in the District of Columbia. 
(Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1459.)
                                                            Sec. 4246
  4246. The Committee on Labor has reported on the subject of 
arbitration as a means of settling labor troubles.--The Committee on 
Labor has reported:

  In 1886,\1\ the bill (H. R. 7479) for the settlement of controversies 
by arbitration.
  In 1888,\2\ on boards of arbitration for labor troubles on interstate 
railroads.
  In 1894,\3\ on arbitration of labor troubles.
  In 1901,\4\ on a board of investigation and arbitration.
  In 1896,\5\ on arbitration of railroad strikes.
  In 1895,\6\ on railroad labor controversies.
  4247. Propositions relating to wages and hours of labor, even when a 
constitutional amendment \7\ has been proposed, have been considered by 
the Committee on Labor.--The Committee on Labor has reported:
  In 1884,\8\ the resolution (H. Res. 74) proposing a constitutional 
amendment limiting the hours of labor.
  In 1901,\9\ on hours of labor on public works; and in 1906 \10\ on 
the same subject.
  In 1887,\11\ on the bill (H. R. 4011) providing for the payment of 
wages weekly by Government contractors; also in 1890 \12\ on Government 
laborers' pay.
  In 1886 \13\ the bill (H. R. 5310) relating to the protection of 
laborers in their wages--a lien law.
  4248. Bills relating to convict labor and the entry of goods made by 
convicts into interstate commerce have been reported by the Committee 
on Labor.--The Committee on Labor has exercised jurisdiction of the 
subject of convict labor, and has reported:
  In 1884 \14\ the resolution (H. Res. 34) proposing an amendment to 
the Constitution of the United States prohibiting any State contracting 
the labor of prisoners; and the bill (H. R. 995) for the abolition of 
contract labor so far as the prisoners of the United States are 
concerned.
  In 1886,\15\ and 1892 \16\ bills relative to the employment of alien 
and convict labor on public works.
  In 1891,\17\ on a bill to prevent the use of convict labor on public 
buildings.
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  \1\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1447.
  \2\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1725.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1343.
  \4\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 2722.
  \5\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1058.
  \6\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1754.
  \7\ See section 4056 of this volume.
  \8\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2044.
  \9\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 1793.
  \10\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 5030.
  \11\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4011.
  \12\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2630.
  \13\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 514.
  \14\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 1064, 2043.
  \15\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 369.
  \16\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1312.
  \17\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1785.
Sec. 4249
  In 1888,\1\ a bill to prevent convict-made goods from being furnished 
to any Department of the Government.
  In 1891,\2\ a bill to prevent the use of convict labor in any 
Department of the Government.
  In 1906,\3\ as to Government contracts for products of convict labor.
  In 1888,\4\ on a proposition to prohibit the importation of convict-
made goods.
  In 1894 \5\ and 1896,\6\ on bills to confine the sale of convict-made 
goods to the States in which they are produced.
  In 1900,\7\ the bill (H. R. 5440) to protect free labor from prison 
competition, which was reported amended so as to provide for regulation 
of interstate commerce in prison-made goods.
  In 1906,\8\ the bill (H. R. 12318) ``to limit the effect of the 
regulation of interstate commerce on goods, wares, and merchandise 
wholly or in part manufactured by convict labor.''
  4249. Propositions to regulate or prevent the importation of foreign 
laborers under contract have been within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Labor.--The Committee on Labor has exercised jurisdiction 
as to the subject of contract labor, and has reported:
  In 1884,\9\ the resolution (H. Res. 246) declaring in favor of the 
employment of residents and citizens of the United States in the 
construction of public works, and the bill (H. R. 2550) to prevent the 
importation of foreign contract labor into the United States.
  In 1886,\10\ the bill (H. R. 9232) to amend the act prohibiting the 
importation or immigration of alien laborers under contract.
  In 1890,\11\ on the subject of contract labor.
  In 1899,\12\ the bill (H. R. 11247) extending the contract-labor laws 
to Hawaii.
  4250. Matters relating to labor employed in the various branches of 
the Government service have been considered by the Committee on 
Labor.--The Committee on Labor has exercised a general jurisdiction on 
the subject of labor employed by the Government, having reported:
  In 1884,\13\ 1886,\14\ 1887,\15\ and 1895,\16\ on leaves of absence 
and wages of employees of the Government Printing Office.
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  \1\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1200.
  \2\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1786.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2448.
  \4\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1727.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1233.
  \6\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1542.
  \7\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 1415.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4782.
  \9\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 444, 2045.
  \10\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2901.
  \11\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2997.
  \12\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1794.
  \13\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2015.
  \14\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1413.
  \15\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 3815.
  \16\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1562.
                                                            Sec. 4251
  In 1886,\1\ and 1892,\2\ on conditions of employment in the Bureau of 
Engraving and Printing.
  In 1886,\3\ and 1888,\4\ on hours of labor of letter carriers.
  In 1884,\5\ on a resolution providing an investigation of the 
sanitary condition of places where labor is employed by the Government.
  In 1886,\6\ on the bill (H. R. 8819) relating to employees in United 
States navy-yards.
  In 1888,\7\ concerning the employment of enlisted men of Army and 
Navy.
  In 1900,\8\ and 1902,\9\ the resolution (H. J. Res. 33) in reference 
to the employment of enlisted men in competition with local civilians.
  4251. The Committee on Labor has reported bills proposing general 
legislation as to classes of claims under the eight-hour law.--In 
1884,\10\ 1888,\11\ and 1890,\12\ the Committee on Labor reported 
general--as distinguished from private and special--bills providing for 
the adjustment of claims under the eight-hour law.
  4252. The creation and history of the Committee on the Militia, 
section 27 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on the Militia jurisdiction of 
subjects relating ``to the militia of the several States.''
  Section 27 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the militia of the several States; to the Committee on the Militia.

  This committee consists of fourteen members.
  It was established on December 10, 1835,\13\ on motion of Mr. Ransom 
H. Gillet, of New York. The present form of the rule dates from the 
revision of 1880.\14\
  4253. Bills relating to the militia of the District of Columbia as 
well as to that of the various States have been considered by the 
Committee on the Militia.--The Committee on the Militia has reported:
  In 1888,\15\ 1904,\16\ and 1905,\17\ on the militia of the District 
of Columbia.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 515.
  \2\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 408.
  \3\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2722.
  \4\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 265.
  \5\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 932.
  \6\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2900.
  \7\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 493.
  \8\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 1199.
  \9\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 428.
  \10\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 1065, 1285.
  \11\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1726.
  \12\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 489, 2196, 
2593.
  \13\ First session Twenty-fourth Congress, Journal, p. 38; Globe, p. 
19. A standing committee on militia was proposed as early as December 
7, 1815, by Mr. Richard H. Wilde, of Georgia (first session Fourteenth 
Congress, Journal, p. 29; Annals, p. 380).
  \14\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 205.
  \15\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 809, 2402, 2606, 
including also the militia of the Territory of Montana.
  \16\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2724.
  \17\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 4508, 4596.
Sec. 4254
  In 1904 \1\ and 1906,\2\ on promotion of efficiency of the militia 
and encouragement of rifle practice.
  In 1890 \3\ and 1892,\4\ on the reorganization of the militia.
  In 1892,\5\ on issuance of artillery for the national guard and on 
issuance of ordnance stores to the State of Nebraska to supply the 
place of those destroyed by fire.

  4254. The creation and history of the Committee on Patents, section 
28 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Patents jurisdiction of subjects 
relating ``to patents, copyrights, and trade-marks.''
  Section 28 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to patents, copyrights, and trade-marks; to the Committee on Patents.

  This committee has fourteen members.
  As created on September 15, 1837,\6\ its jurisdiction related to 
patents alone. At the time of the revision of 1880, when the present 
form of the rule was fixed, the subjects of ``copyrights and 
trademarks'' were added, on motion of Mr. John S. Newberry, of 
Michigan.\7\
  4255. The subjects of patent law, jurisdiction of courts in patent 
cases, the Patent Office, including a building therefor, have been 
considered by the Committee on Patents.
  The subject of an international patent conference was considered by 
the Committee on Patents.
  The general jurisdiction of the subject of patents belongs to the 
Committee on Patents, which has reported:
  In 1890,\8\ as to an investigation of the methods and accommodations 
of the Patent Office, including a revision of law and regulation and 
the authorization of a commission to select a site and provide a 
building for the Patent Office.
  In 1896,\9\ on the classification division of the Patent Office.
  In 1891,\10\ on revision of patent laws.
  In 1890,\11\ on the subject of international patent conference.
  In 1897,\12\ on a bill defining the jurisdiction of circuit courts in 
patent cases.
  4256. Bills relating to the general subject of trade-marks, including 
punishment for the counterfeiting thereof, have been considered by the 
Committee on Patents.--The Committee on Patents has jurisdiction of the 
sub-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 2775, 2845, 
2872.
  \2\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1068.
  \3\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 805.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 754.
  \5\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 1059, 2120.
  \6\ First session Twenty-fifth Congress, Globe, p. 34.
  \7\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, pp. 824, 825.
  \8\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1320.
  \9\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report Nos. 88, 2277.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3281.
  \11\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 298.
  \12\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 2905.
                                                            Sec. 4257
ject of trade-marks, and has reported general bills on that subject in 
1890,\1\ 1898 \2\ and 1906,\3\ and in 1888 \4\ a bill to provide for 
punishing the counterfeiting of trademarks.
  This committee also reported in 1901 \5\ the bill (H. R. 13109) 
relating to the registration of persons, etc., engaged in 
transportation business.
  In 1907 \6\ the Committee on Patents reported ``A bill to amend 
sections 5 and 6 of an act entitled `An act to authorize the 
registration of trade-marks used in commerce with foreign nations or 
among the several States or with Indian tribes, and to protect the 
same.' '' \7\
  4257. The Committee on Patents has jurisdiction of general and 
special legislation relating to copyrights, although its title to the 
jurisdiction of international copyright is not entirely clear.--The 
Committee on Patents has general jurisdiction of the subject of 
copyrights, and has reported numerous bills \8\ revising or amending 
the general copyright laws, including those relating to music 
publications.\9\ This committee has also reported special bills, as one 
in 1906,\10\ to protect the copyright matter in a work entitled ``Rules 
and specifications for grading lumber.''
  On the subject of international copyright, however, the Committee on 
the Judiciary has shared the jurisdiction, but not to the extent of 
complete possession.\11\
  4258. The creation and history of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, 
section 29 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Invalid Pensions jurisdiction as 
``to the pensions of the civil war.''
  Section 29 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the pensions of the civil war: to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

  This committee consists of sixteen members.
  On December 22, 1813,\12\ the standing Committee on ``Pensions and 
Revolutionary Claims ``was established on motion of Mr. Stevenson 
Archer, of Maryland. On December 9, 1825,\13\ a committee on 
Revolutionary pensions was created, and a few days later \14\ its name 
was changed to the ``Committee on Military Pensions,'' on motion of Mr. 
Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, while at the same time the
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 27.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Reports Nos. 549, 691, 692.
  \3\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2668.
  \4\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 2707.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2737.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 7637.
  \7\ In 1896 (First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 884), 
however, the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce reported a 
bill relating to registration of trade-marks on vessels, bottles, 
boxes, etc., used in interstate and foreign commerce.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4955; second 
session Fifty-eighth Congress, Reports, Nos. 1287, 2857; first session 
Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3434.
  \9\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1289.
  \10\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4978.
  \11\ See section 4075 of this volume.
  \12\ Second session Thirteenth Congress, Journal, pp. 178, 182 
Annals, p. 803.
  \13\ Is First session Nineteenth Congress, Journal, pp. 27, 32.
  \14\ Journal, p. 46.
Sec. 4259
name of the Committee on ``Pensions and Revolutionary Claims'' was 
changed to the ``Committee on Revolutionary Claims.''
  On January 10, 1831,\1\ on motion of Mr. James Trezvant, of Virginia, 
a rule was adopted establishing the Committee on Invalid Pensions as a 
standing committee, with jurisdiction of ``matters respecting invalid 
pensions.'' The old Military Pensions Committee--successor to the 
Revolutionary Pensions Committee of 1825--was at the same time 
abolished, and the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions was established 
anew, with jurisdiction of ``pensions for services in the Revolutionary 
war other than invalid pensions.'' By this arrangement pensions from 
the war of 1812 went in practice, if not by express rule, to the 
Invalid Pensions Committee, until March 26, 1867, when the latter 
committee became overburdened, and they were transferred to the 
Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.\2\ In the revision of 1880 the 
present form of rule was adopted, both for the Invalid Pensions 
Committee and for the Pensions Committee, which thenceforth took the 
place of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.\3\
  This committee may report general pension bills at any time.\4\
  4259. The Committee on Invalid Pensions reports general and special 
bills authorizing payments of pensions to soldiers of the civil war, 
but the actual appropriations therefor are reported by the Committee on 
Appropriations.--On December 6, 1888,\5\ the resolutions distributing 
the President's message referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions 
so much as related to ``pension laws and their modification and 
revision.''
  In general, this committee has reported all general pension 
legislation relating to veterans of the civil war; \6\ and it also 
reports private and special acts for the relief of soldiers of that 
war.\7\
  But the actual appropriation of the money to meet the requirements of 
both general and special pension laws is within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Appropriations, which reports in the general pension 
appropriation bill.\8\
  4260. The creation and history of the Committee on Pensions, section 
29 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Pensions jurisdiction of matters 
relating ``to the pensions of all the wars of the United States other 
than the civil war.''
  Section 29 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the pensions of all the wars of the United States other than the 
civil war; to the Committee on Pensions.

  This committee consists of fourteen members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Twenty-first Congress, Journal, pp. 145, 167.
  \2\ First session Fortieth Congress, Journal, p. 117; Globe, p. 362.
  \3\ See section 4.260 of this volume.
  \4\ See section 4621 of this volume.
  \5\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Journal, p. 53.
  \6\ See first session Fifty-first Congress, Reports, Nos. 13, 226, 
629, 2953, 3204; second session Fifty-third Congress, Reports Nos. 583, 
1212, 1213.
  \7\ See Journal, first session Fifty-ninth Congress, pp. 1366-1374, 
for illustration of the work of this committee.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 581.
                                                            Sec. 4261
  The old Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, which had first been 
established on December 9, 1825, on motion of Mr. Peter Little, of 
Maryland,\1\ was abolished at the time of the revision of 1880,\2\ when 
the present rule was adopted.\3\
  4261. The Committee on Pensions reports general and special bills 
authorizing the payment of pensions, but the actual appropriations are 
reported by the Committee on Appropriations.--The Committee on Pensions 
reports private and special bills for the relief of soldiers of all 
wars except the civil war,\4\ and also bills proposing general pension 
legislation for all wars except the civil war.\5\
  The actual appropriations authorized by laws reported from this 
committee are reported from the Committee on Appropriations in the 
general pension appropriation bill.\6\
  4262. The creation and history of the Committee on Claims, section 31 
of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Claims jurisdiction of subjects 
relating ``to private and domestic claims and demands other than war 
claims against the United States.''
  The Committee on Claims, in exercising its jurisdiction, reports 
bills which make appropriations from the Treasury.
  Section 31 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to private and domestic claims and demands other than war claims 
against the United States; to the Committee on Claims.

  The Committee on Claims consists of fifteen members.
  It divides with Elections the honor of being the oldest standing 
committee of the House. They were established on the same day, November 
13, 1794,\7\ and to Claims was given the jurisdiction of all ``matters 
or things touching claims and demands on the United States.'' The 
present form of the rule was fixed by the revision of 1880.\2\ The 
jurisdiction of the committee has not continued so broad as when first 
established, as war claims have generally gone to another committee.\8\
  The Committees on Claims and War Claims, in dealing with individual 
claims, not only authorize the payments, but actually make the 
appropriations of money from the Treasury, in this respect exercizing a 
function not permitted to other committees that are not endowed by the 
rules expressly with the power of reporting appropriations.
  4263. The Committee on Claims has reported general--as distinguished 
from special--bills providing for disposition of classes of claims, 
like the French spoliation claims, by the Court of Claims.--The 
Committee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Nineteenth Congress, Journal, p. 32.
  \2\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 205.
  \3\ For general history of the various pension committees, see 
section 4558 of this chapter.
  \4\ See Journal First session Fifty-ninth Congress, pp. 1376-1378, 
for illustration of work of this committee.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 2635.
  \6\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 581.
  \7\ Third and Fourth Congresses, Journal, p. 229 (Gales & Seaton 
ed.).
  \8\ See section 4269 of this volume.
Sec. 4264
on Claims reports private and special bills for the satisfaction of all 
claims other than war claims.\1\ It also exercises a general, but not 
exclusive,\2\ jurisdiction over propositions of general legislation 
regulating the disposition of claims. Thus it has reported:
  In 1886 \3\ the Committee on Claims reported the bill (S. 2643) to 
afford assistance to Congress and the Executive Departments in the 
investigation of claims and demands against the Government. This was a 
general measure conferring jurisdiction on the Court of Claims for 
certain cases.
  In 1894 \4\ a general bill providing for the disposition of claims 
for supplies and the French spoliation claims.
  4264. The jurisdiction of French spoliation claims belongs to the 
Committee on Claims.--On January 23, 1906,\5\ the Speaker \6\ said:

  The Chair lays before the House a request coming from the Committee 
on Claims and also the Committee on War Claims, taking from the 
Committee on Claims certain Executive documents touching findings of 
the Court of Claims in the matter of the French spoliation claims, and 
asking that the reference be changed from the Committee on Claims to 
the Committee on War Claims. The effect of this, if done, would be to 
change the jurisdiction of the respective committees as that 
jurisdiction has been heretofore exercised. If the change should be 
made, about which the Chair does not intimate any opinion as to the 
propriety thereof, the Chair will feel justified in the future, if not 
incidentally authorized when similar communications come, to refer the 
same to the Committee on War Claims instead of to the Committee on 
Claims. With the explanation given, is there objection to the request?

  Objection being made, the matter went over and did not come up 
thereafter.
  4265. Appropriations for payment of French spoliation claims being 
included in a private bill reported by the Committee on War Claims, the 
chairman of the Committee of the Whole House ordered them stricken out 
as belonging to the jurisdiction of the Committee on Claims.--On 
January 4, 1907,\7\ the Committee of the Whole House was considering 
the bill (H. R. 19003) for the allowance of certain claims for stores 
and supplies reported by the Court of Claims under the provisions of 
the act approved March 3, 1883, and commonly known as the Bowman Act, 
and to provide for the payment of French spoliation claims recommended 
by the Court of Claims, under the provisions of the acts approved 
January 20, 1885, and March 3, 1891, and for other purposes.
  After the bill had been read Mr. James R. Mann, of Illinois, made a 
point of order, saying:

  I wish to make a point of order on this bill, or so much of it as 
relates to the French spoliation claims, on the ground that the 
Committee on War Claims has no jurisdiction to report a bill of this 
sort, it being a private bill and subject to a point of order at this 
time.\8\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ See Journal First session Fifty-ninth Congress, p. 1364.
  \2\ See sections 4078, 4168 of this work.
  \3\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 3497.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1051.
  \5\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, p. 1459.
  \6\ Joseph G. Cannon, of Illinois, Speaker.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, pp. 636, 637.
  \8\ General appropriation bills, being public bills and referred to 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union in open House, 
are not subject to points of order of this nature unless a reservation 
is made at the time of reference (see secs. 6921-6926 of Volume V of 
this work); but private bills, which are reported by laying them on the 
Clerk's table, must, manifestly, be subject to such points of order 
without the reservation.
                                                            Sec. 4266
  I may say, Mr. Chairman, that the rules provide that all bills 
carrying private or domestic claims and demands, other than war claims 
against the United States, shall be referred to the Committee on 
Claims. Bills providing for claims arising from any wax in which the 
United States has been engaged shall be referred to the Committee on 
War Claims.
  It has been the universal custom and practice in the House that bills 
providing for the payment of French spoliation claims shall be referred 
to the Committee on Claims and not to the Committee on War Claims. Now, 
I insist that the Committee on War Claims can not enlarge its 
jurisdiction in violation of the rules of the House because a bill may 
be introduced carrying one claim properly referable to that committee, 
but including a large number of claims properly referable to the 
Committee on Claims. If that could be allowed, any committee dealing 
with private bills could obtain jurisdiction of any kind of a bill by 
putting one section in the bill properly referable to that committee, 
and including in the bill a number of things properly referable to some 
other committee.

  The Chairman \1\ held:

  In the opinion of the Chair there is no question that such portion of 
the bill as relates to the French spoliation claims belongs properly to 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Claims, and for that reason the 
Chair will sustain the point of order of the gentleman from Illinois 
[Mr. Mann] and order those portions of the bill relating to French 
spoliation claims to be stricken from the bill.

  4266. Bills for the redemption of lost bonds, checks, and coupons are 
reported by the Committee on Claims.--On April 21, 1902,\2\ a bill for 
replacing certain Government bonds lost by Clara H. Fulford was 
returned by the Committee on Ways and Means and referred to the 
Committee on Claims. And in general, special bills for the payment of 
lost coupons and for replacing lost checks drawn on the Treasury of the 
United States belong to the jurisdiction of Claims rather than Ways and 
Means.\3\
  4267. The Committee on Claims has shared in jurisdiction over public 
bills for adjusting accounts between the United States and the several 
States and Territories.--Bills to adjust the claims of States, 
Territories, and the District of Columbia against the United States are 
classified as public bills rather than private and special, and the 
jurisdiction over such bills has not been exercised exclusively by any 
particular committee,\4\ but on February 4, 1885,\5\ the Committee on 
Claims reported the bill (H. R. 6047) to adjust certain accounts 
between the United States and the several States and Territories and 
the District of Columbia. This was a bill to return the direct tax of 
1861.
  4268. A private bill providing for a rehearing and readjudication in 
the Court of Claims belongs to the jurisdiction of a Claims Committee 
and not to the Committee on the Judiciary.--On February 15, 1901,\6\ 
the House was in Committee of the Whole House considering, business on 
the Private Calendar, the first bill being the following:

A Bill (H. R. 6038) for the relief of Joseph H. Penny, John W. Penny, 
Thomas Penny, and Harvey Penny, surviving partners of Penny & Sons.
  Be it enacted, etc., That the Court of Claims is hereby authorized to 
grant a new trial in the case of Penny & Sons v. The United States and 
the Sioux Indians, numbered in said court as Indian depredation No. 
4634, and to rehear said case in accordance with the act of March 3, 
1891, relative to Indian depredation claims, the same as if no judgment 
had been entered therein.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ William A. Rodenburg, of Illinois, Chairman.
  \2\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Record, p. 4503.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Record, p. 6716; House 
Report No. 277.
  \4\ See section 4080 of this work.
  \5\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2486.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Record, pp. 2481-2484.
Sec. 4269
  The Committee on Claims had reported the bill with an amendment in 
the nature of a substitute, providing:

  That the Court of Claims is hereby given jurisdiction to rehear and 
reconsider and determine the motion filed in said court by the 
claimants on the 15th day of April, 1898, for a rehearing and new trial 
of the case of Penny & Sons v. The United States and Sioux Indians, 
numbered in said court as Indian depredations No. 4634; and to that end 
the bar of the statute of limitations against said motion is hereby 
removed, and the said court is given jurisdiction to rehear and 
redetermine said motion in the same manner and with like effect as if 
said motion had been filed and presented within the time authorized by 
law and the rules of said court; and if said motion shall be sustained 
by said court, then, and in that event, the court shall proceed to 
retry and readjudicate the matter involved in said suit the same as if 
no former judgment had been entered therein.

  Mr. George W. Ray, of New York, made the point of order that the 
subject should have been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 
and was therefore improperly before the Committee of the Whole.
  After debate the Chairman \1\ said:

  The question before the Chair is as to the jurisdiction of the 
committee reporting this bill; which seeks to give the Court of Claims 
the power to rehear and reconsider and determine a motion filed for a 
new trial; and further, if the Court of Claims should grant the new 
trial of this case, to give that court the right to readjudicate the 
claim, or, in other words, to adjudicate it. Now, under subdivision 3 
of Rule XXI no bill for the payment or adjudication of any private 
claim against the Government shall be referred, except by unanimous 
consent, to any other than the following-named committees: The 
Committee on Invalid Pensions, the Committee on Pensions, the Committee 
on Claims, the Committee on War Claims, the Committee on Private Land 
Claims, or the Committee on Accounts.
  Now, this is a private claim. This rule says that no bill for the 
adjudication of private claims shall be referred to any other committee 
than the committees named. In the opinion of the Chair, this bill was 
properly referred to the Committee on Claims, and the point of order 
made by the gentleman from New York is not well taken. Consequently the 
point of order is overruled.

  4269. The creation and history of the Committee on War Claims, 
section 32 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on War Claims jurisdiction of it 
``claims arising from any war in which the United States has been 
engaged.''
  The Committee on War Claims may report, within the limits of its 
jurisdiction, bills making appropriations of money.
  Section 32 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to claims arising from any war in which the United States has been 
engaged: to the Committee on War Claims.

  This committee consists of 13 members.
  War claims were formerly considered by the old committee ``on 
Revolutionary Claims,'' \2\ which dated from December 22, 1813. On 
December 2, 1873,\3\ the name of this committee was changed to ``War 
Claims,'' and its jurisdiction was specified to be ``all claims growing 
out of any war in which the United States has been engaged.''
  The Committee on War Claims, like the Committee on Claims,\4\ 
exercises the power of reporting appropriations for the payment of 
individual claims.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ James A. Hemenway, of Indiana, Chairman.
  \2\ Originally the Committee on ``Pensions and Revolutionary 
Claims.'' (See sec. 4258 of this volume.)
  \3\ First session Forty-third Congress, Record, p. 23.
  \4\ See section 4262 of this volume.
                                                            Sec. 4270
  4270. The Committee on War Claims has exercised a general but not 
exclusive jurisdiction over general bills providing for the 
adjudication or settlement of classes of war claims.--Besides reporting 
on private and special bills for the satisfaction of claims arising out 
of wars, the Committee on War Claims has exercised a general 
jurisdiction \1\ over propositions of general legislation relating to 
the disposition of such claims, and has reported:
  In 1899,\2\ the bill (H. R. 12084) to reimburse those who had had 
sent to their homes for burial the dead bodies of officers, soldiers, 
and sailors who died away from home while members of the Army or Navy 
of the United States since January 1, 1898. (Spanish War.)
  In 1901,\3\ a general bill to provide for the reimbursement of 
officers and men of the Army for medical expenses incurred during leave 
or furlough.
  In 1900,\4\ the bill (H. R. 7662) to carry into effect the 
stipulations of the treaty with Spain in relation to claims arising 
since the beginning of the recent insurrection in Cuba and prior to the 
ratification of the treaty of 1898; also the bill (H. R. 1212) to 
authorize the Secretary of War to cause to be investigated and to 
provide for the payment of all claims presented in behalf of churches, 
schools, etc., arising out of use or damage by soldiers during the 
civil war.
  In 1888,\5\ the bill (H. R. 3366) authorizing the Court of Claims to 
adjudicate claims for property seized under the act relating to 
captured or abandoned property; also in 1900 \6\ the bill (H. R. 4615) 
to revive and amend an act to provide for the collection of abandoned 
property and the prevention of frauds in insurrectionary districts.
  In 1888,\7\ the bill (H. R. 3367) to enable the President to appoint 
a board of claims commissioners.
  In 1892,\8\ on war of 1812 claims.
  4271. The war claims of States and Territories against the United 
States have been considered, although not exclusively, by the Committee 
on War Claims.--Bills for the payment and adjudication of the war 
claims of States and Territories against the United States are 
classified as public rather than private and special. The Committee on 
War Claims does not have exclusive \9\ jurisdiction over such bills, 
but has often reported them:
  In 1884,\10\ the bill (H. R. 2463) to reimburse the several states 
for interest paid on war loans.
  In 1899,\11\ the bill (S. 5260) relating to the reimbursements of 
States and Territories for expenses incurred by them in aiding the 
United States to raise, organize, and equip the volunteer army of the 
United States in the war with Spain.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ This jurisdiction is not exclusive. (See sec. 4079 of this 
volume.)
  \2\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2093.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2617.
  \4\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Reports Nos. 212, 597.
  \5\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 538.
  \6\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 214.
  \7\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 537.
  \8\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 220.
  \9\ See section 4080 of this volume.
  \10\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1102.
  \11\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2192.
Sec. 4272
  In 1898,\1\ the bill (H. R. 8003) to refund to the State of New York 
certain duties paid in 1863.
  In 1900,\2\ the bill (H. R. 1066) to indemnify Pennsylvania for money 
expended in 1864 for militia called into service by the governor.
  4272. The Committee on War Claims has reported in a few instances 
bills relating to claims arising out of Indian hostilities.--The 
Committee on War Claims has reported these bills:
  In 1895,\3\ on Indian war claims in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
  In 1900,\4\ the bill (S. 2384) to reimburse certain persons for 
expenses incurred during incursions of Indians in Nevada.
  4273. The creation and history of the Committee on Private Land 
Claims, section 33 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Private Land Claims jurisdiction 
as ``to private claims to land.''
  Section 33 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to private claims to land: to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

  This committee consists of thirteen Members and one Delegate.
  It was established as a standing committee on April 29, 1816, on 
motion of Mr. Thomas B. Robertson, of Louisiana.\5\
  4274. A bill for the establishment of a land court was reported by 
the Committee on Private Land Claims.--On March 31, 1888,\6\ the bill 
of the House (H. R. 7643) to establish a United States land court and 
to provide for a judicial investigation and settlement of private land 
claims in the Territories of Arizona and New Mexico, and in the State 
of Colorado, was called up under instructions from the Committee on 
Private Land Claims, having been reported from that committee.
  4275. The Committee on Private Land Claims has exercised jurisdiction 
over general as well as special bills relating to the adjudication and 
settlement of private claims to land.--The Committee on Private Land 
Claims, besides reporting bills for the settlement of individual claims 
to public lands,\7\ has also reported bills proposing general 
legislation:
  In 1890,\8\ a bill to establish a land court and provide for the 
settlement of land claims in certain Territories.
  In 1898,\9\ the bill (H. R. 10290) to amend an act to establish a 
court of private land claims and to provide for the settlement of 
private land claims in certain States and Territories.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1412.
  \2\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 222.
  \3\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1538.
  \4\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 782.
  \5\ First session Fourteenth Congress, Journal, p. 753; Annals, p. 
1456.
  \6\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Journal, p. 1391; Record, pp. 
2577, 2578.
  \7\ See Second session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 3918; Third 
session Fifty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 3766, 4886.
  \8\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1797.
  \9\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1292.
                                                            Sec. 4276
  In 1884 \1\ and 1888,\2\ bills to provide for ascertaining and 
settling private land claims in certain States and Territories.
  In 1886,\3\ the bill (H. R. 3235) relating generally to private land 
grants of a certain class in Arizona.
  In 1892,\4\ on the subject of Mexican land grants.
  In 1905,\5\ on land titles in the city of Mobile.
  4276. The creation and history of the Committee for the District of 
Columbia, section 34 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee for the District of Columbia 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to the District of Columbia other 
than appropriations therefor.''
  Section 34 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the District of Columbia, other than appropriations therefor; to the 
Committee for the District of Columbia.

  This committee shall consist of eighteen Members.
  It was established as a standing committee on January 27, 1808, in 
order to simplify the District business, to save the forming of many 
committees, and to promote consistency and uniformity in the laws 
relating to the District.\6\ Mr. Philip Barton Key, of Maryland, on 
whose motion the committee was established, was its first chairman. The 
present form of the rule was adopted in the revision of 1880.\7\ This 
committee has two days in the month for presentation of its 
business.\8\
  4277. The Committee for the District of Columbia reports bills 
proposing legislation as to the general municipal affairs of the 
District.--The Committee for the District of Columbia has a general and 
usually an exclusive \9\ jurisdiction of bills proposing legislation 
relating to the affairs of the District of Columbia, and reports on 
such subjects as extension of streets,\10\ affairs of the schools and 
teachers,\11\ control of railroads,\12\ police and fire department,\13\ 
etc.\14\ This committee has also reported on the subject of claims 
against the District.\15\
  All appropriations for the District are reported by the Committee on 
Appropriations in the District of Columbia general appropriation bill.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 985.
  \2\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 675.
  \3\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 192.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1253.
  \5\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 3484.
  \6\ First session Tenth Congress, Journal, p. 146; Annals, Vol. II, 
p. 1512.
  \7\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 825.
  \8\ See section 3304 of this volume.
  \9\ In 1894 (Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report, No. 607), 
however, the Committee on the Judiciary reported on the subject of 
representation by a Delegate in Congress.
  \10\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports, Nos. 241, 2760, 
etc.
  \11\ Report No. 3395.
  \12\ Report No. 4429.
  \13\ Report No. 1678.
  \14\ See Journal, first session Fifty-ninth Congress, page 1364, for 
summary of subjects within this jurisdiction.
  \11\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2129; first 
session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1923; third session Fifty-
fifth Congress, Report No. 2059.
Sec. 4278
  4278. The Committee for the District of Columbia has exercised 
jurisdiction generally of the subject of insurance in the District.--
The Committee for the District of Columbia has exercised jurisdiction 
as to the subject of insurance in the District of Columbia,\1\ and 
reported:
  In 1889,\2\ the bill (H. R. 12137) relating to deposit of securities 
by insurance companies in the District.
  In 1891,\3\ on the subject of an insurance bureau.
  In 1900,\4\ the bill (H. R. 9283) to regulate insurance in the 
District of Columbia.
  4279. The subject of tax sales and taxes in the District is within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee for the District of Columbia.--The 
Committee for the District of Columbia reported:
  In 1896,\5\ on the subject of tax sale certificates in the District.
  In 1897,\6\ a bill in relation to taxes and tax sales in the District 
of Columbia.
  In 1899,\7\ the bill (S. 4700) relating to interest on arrearages of 
taxes in the District of Columbia.
  4280. The subject of adulteration of food, drugs, etc., in the 
District is within the jurisdiction of the Committee for the District 
of Columbia.--The Committee for the District of Columbia reported:
  In 1898 \8\ and 1900,\9\ bills providing for the inspection of flour 
in the District.
  In 1888 \10\ and 1898,\11\ bills to prevent the manufacture or sale 
of adulterated foods and drugs in the District.
  In 1898,\12\ on the subject of adulteration of candy in the District.
  4281. The Committee for the District of Columbia has exercised 
general jurisdiction of bills for the regulation of the sale of 
intoxicating liquors in the District.--The Committee for the District 
of Columbia has reported:
  In 1885,\13\ 1893,\14\ and 1894,\15\ bills relating to the 
manufacture and sale of spirituous and malt liquors in the District of 
Columbia.
  In 1887,\16\ the bill (S. 1380) regulating the sale of liquors in the 
District of Columbia.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ In 1906 the subject of Federal control of insurance arose, and 
the House committed the general subject of insurance to the Judiciary 
Committee, with the result that bills relating to the District of 
Columbia particularly also went to the Committee on the Judiciary. See 
section 4059 of this volume.
  \2\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Report, No. 3931.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 4015.
  \4\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 691.
  \5\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1182.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 2529.
  \7\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1799.
  \8\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1654.
  \9\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 1429.
  \10\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3265.
  \11\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 218.
  \12\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 351.
  \13\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2581.
  \14\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2323.
  \15\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 195.
  \16\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4014.
                                                            Sec. 4282
  In 1890,\1\ a bill prohibiting the granting of liquor licenses within 
one mile of Soldiers' Home.
  In 1907,\2\ a bill prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to 
minors by unlicensed persons.\3\
  4282. Bills for the protection of fish and game within the District 
of Columbia have been reported by the Committee for the District of 
Columbia.--The Committee for the District of Columbia reported in 1892 
\4\ and 1898 \5\ bills for the protection of fish in the District of 
Columbia; \6\ and in 1901 \7\ the bill (H. R. 11881) ``for the 
protection of birds, preservation of game, and for the prevention of 
its sale during certain close seasons in the District of Columbia;'' 
also in 1906 \8\ a bill relating to game.
  4283. Bills relating to holidays in the District have been reported 
by the Committee for the District of Columbia.--The Committee for the 
District of Columbia has reported:

  In 1888,\9\ the bill (H. R. 8843) making inauguration day a legal 
holiday.
  In 1892,\10\ a bill relating to holidays in the District.
  4284. Subjects relating to the health of the District, sanitary and 
quarantine regulations, etc., have been within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee for the District of Columbia.--The Committee for the District 
of Columbia has reported:

  In 1897,\11\ a bill to prevent the spread of contagious diseases in 
the District of Columbia.
  In 1895,\12\ on sanitary and quarantine regulations for the District.
  4285. The Government Hospital for the Insane and Congressional 
Cemetery have been within the jurisdiction of the Committee for the 
District of Columbia.--The Committee for the District of Columbia has 
exercised legislative jurisdiction as to the Government Hospital for 
the Insane,\11\ and the Congressional Cemetery.\14\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3048.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 6213.
  \3\ While the jurisdiction of bills relating to the traffic in 
intoxicating liquors in the District of Columbia is with the Committee 
for the District of Columbia, there have been variations from this in 
the past. Thus, in 1888 (first session Fiftieth Congress, Record, pp. 
1117, 1118) four such bills were taken from the Committee f or the 
District of Columbia by the House and referred to the Committee on 
Alcoholic Liquor Traffic. And in 1891 (second session Fifty-first 
Congress, Report No. 3509), and even as late as 1896 (first session 
Fifty-fourth-Congress, Report No. 1813) stray bills of this class were 
reported from the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Record, p. 4172.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 143.
  \6\ See, however, section 4147 of this volume.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2280.
  \8\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4207.
  \9\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1797.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2324.
  \11\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 2524.
  \12\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1944.
  \13\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report, No. 494.
  \14\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3645; second 
session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 413; first session Fifty-ninth 
Congress, Report No. 2223.
Sec. 4286
  4286. Harbor regulations for the District and the bridge over the 
Eastern Branch have been within the jurisdiction of the Committee for 
the District of Columbia.--The Committee for the District of Columbia 
reported, in 1894 \1\ and 1896,\2\ on the subject of harbor regulations 
in the District, and in 1886,\3\ 1888,\4\ and 1906,\5\ on bills 
relating to the construction of a bridge across the Eastern Branch of 
the Potomac.
  4287. Bills for framing a municipal code and amending the criminal 
laws and corporations laws in the District have been within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee for the District of Columbia.--On January 
11, 1882,\6\ the Committee for the District of Columbia reported the 
bill (H. R. 1295) to establish a municipal code for the District of 
Columbia; and in 1891,\7\ 1900,\8\ and 1902 \9\ on the subject of this 
code. In 1898 \10\ the committee reported the bill (H. R. 8064) to 
amend the criminal laws of the District.
  Also in 1889 \11\ and 1891 \12\ the Committee for the District of 
Columbia reported bills relating to the incorporation laws of the 
District.
  4288. The Committee for the District of Columbia has reported bills 
for the incorporation of organizations and societies.--The Committee 
for the District of Columbia has reported bills creating corporations 
such as would have their location in the District of Columbia, as the 
National Congress of Mothers,\13\ National Society of Daughters of 
1812, and National White Cross of America,\14\ Daughters of the 
American Revolution,\15\ National Society Sons of the American 
Revolution,\16\ General Federation of Women's Clubs,\17\ etc.\18\
  4289. The Committee for the District of Columbia has exercised 
jurisdiction as to bills relating to executors, administrators, wills, 
and divorce in the District.--The Committee for the District of 
Columbia has reported:

  In 1886,\19\ the bill (H. R. 2373) to allow foreign executors and 
administrators to sue in the District of Columbia.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 563.
  \2\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1578.
  \3\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2703.
  \4\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1807; also first 
session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2841.
  \5\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1119.
  \6\ First session Forty-seventh Congress, Report No. 8.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3491.
  \8\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 1017.
  \9\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 2192.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 555.
  \11\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3921.
  \12\ Second session Fifty-first Congress Report No. 3740.
  \13\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1531.
  \14\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Reports Nos. 1019, 1441.
  \15\ Second session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 3845.
  \16\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1635.
  \17\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2862.
  \18\ In 1892 (first session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 256) 
and 1896 (first session Fifty-fourth Congress, Reports Nos. 179, 5365) 
the Committee on the Library reported bills incorporating the National 
Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National 
Society of Colonial Dames.
  \19\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2373.
                                                            Sec. 4290
  In 1888,\1\ the bill (11. R. 1514) relating to the record of wills in 
the District. In 1901,\2\ the bill (H. R. 12331) to amend the act 
conferring on the supreme court of the District of Columbia 
jurisdiction to take proof of the execution of wills affecting real 
estate.\3\
  In 1904 \4\ as to divorce proceedings in the District.
  4290. The Committee for the District of Columbia has exercised 
jurisdiction as to the police and juvenile courts and justices of peace 
in the District.--The Committee for the District of Columbia has 
exercised jurisdiction of legislation relating to the juvenile court 
\5\ and the police court \6\ of the District, and in 1906 \7\ reported 
on the subject of the justices of the peace, although in 1893 \8\ and 
1895 \9\ the Judiciary Committee had exercised jurisdiction over bills 
relating to those officers.
  4291. The jurisdiction of the Committee for the District of Columbia 
as to matters affecting the higher courts of the District has been 
exceptional rather than general.--The jurisdiction of the Committee for 
the District of Columbia over the District courts higher than the 
juvenile and police court has not been extensive, and such cases as 
have occurred seem exceptions to the rule that gives the general 
jurisdictions as to the courts to the Judiciary Committee.
  In 1887 \10\ and 1891 \11\ the Committee for the District of Columbia 
reported bills relating to the reporter for the supreme court of the 
District, and even a bill for the regulation of the court itself; but 
in 1880 \12\ the Committee on the Judiciary had jurisdiction of the 
bill (H. R. 1809) to enable the courts to take cognizance of a case in 
which a citizen of the District of Columbia is a party.
  Committee for the District of Columbia reported, in 1889,\13\ the 
bill (H. R. 12292) to amend the statutes relating to the jury law of 
the District.
  And in 1898,\14\ the bill (H. R. 7541) to require the marshal of the 
District to execute certain writs.
  4292. Bills for preserving public order, etc., within the District at 
times of inaugurations have been reported by the Committee for the 
District of Columbia.--The Committee for the District of Columbia has 
exercised
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1805.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2748.
  \3\ But in 1891 (second session Fifty-first Congress, Record, p. 445) 
the Committee on the Judiciary reported as to acknowledgment of wills 
in the District of Columbia.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2085.
  \5\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2169.
  \6\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2301; second 
session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3919.
  \7\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 236.
  \8\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 2389, 2490.
  \9\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1744.
  \10\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 3792, 3819.
  \11\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 3324, 3837.
  \12\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 129.
  \13\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3794.
  \14\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 341.
Sec. 4293
jurisdiction over certain legislation relating to the ceremonies of 
inauguration, reporting:
  In 1885 \1\ and 1892,\2\ bills relating to inauguration day and 
inauguration police.
  In 1889,\3\ the bill (S. 3869) to secure the maintenance of public 
order during the inauguration.
  In 1901,\4\ the resolution (H. Res. 287) authorizing the use of 
certain reservations or public spaces in the city of Washington for the 
purposes of the inauguration.
  4293. The creation and history of the Committee on Revision of the 
Laws, section 35 of Rule XI
  The rule gives to the Committee on Revision of the Laws jurisdiction 
of subjects relating ``to the revision and codification of the statutes 
of the United States.''
  Section 35 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the revision and codification of the statutes of the United States: 
to the Committee on the Revision of the Laws.

  The committee consists of thirteen Members.
  It dates from July 25, 1868. In reporting the resolution for its 
establishment \5\ Mr. Elihu B. Washburne, of Illinois, explained that 
the new committee was intended to take the place of the old standing 
committee ``on Revisal and Unfinished Business,'' which had existed 
since the early days \6\ and had become obsolete, while the Select 
Committee on Revision of the Laws had become of importance sufficient 
to warrant establishing it as a standing committee.
  At first there was no rule defining the jurisdiction of the 
committee. The present form of the rule dates from 1880.\7\
  4294. Examples of jurisdiction of the Committee on Revision of the 
Laws over bills embodying codifications.\8\--The Committee on Revision 
of the Laws has exercised a general jurisdiction over bills revising 
the laws, and has reported:
  In 1900,\9\ on the following subjects: The bill (S. 3419) providing a 
civil code for Alaska; the bill (H. R. 7844) providing for the revision 
and codification of the general and permanent laws of the United 
States.
  In 1894 \10\ and 1896,\11\ on codification of pension laws; also in 
1894 and in 1896,\12\ on the revision and codification of the statute 
laws of the United States.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Record, pp. 328, 348, 1146.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2258.
  \3\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 3920.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2211.
  \5\ Second session Fortieth Congress, Globe, p. 4495.
  \6\ The Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business was established 
in 1795, and was especially useful in the early years when business 
unfinished fell with the end of a session.
  \7\ Second session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 205.
  \8\ The Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads reported a bill 
codifying the postal laws (see section 4192 of this volume), and the 
Committee for the District of Columbia has reported bills relating to 
the municipal code of Washington city. (See Section 4287 of this 
volume).
  \9\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Reports Nos. 1153, 1502.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 866.
  \11\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 219.
  \12\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 392.
                                                            Sec. 4295
  In 1893,\1\ on revision of the criminal and penal laws.
  In 1901,\2\ the code of civil government for Alaska.
  4295. In exceptional cases the Committee on Revision of the Laws has 
exercised jurisdiction over bills embodying changes of law rather than 
revisions or codifications.--On December 6, 1882,\3\ the resolutions 
distributing the President's message provided that the Committee on 
Revision of the Laws should have jurisdiction of subjects relating to:
  The transfer of the Light-House Service, the Coast Survey, and the 
Revenue Marine Service as now organized from the Treasury Department to 
the Navy Department.
  The Committee on Revision of the Laws has also reported:
  In 1892,\4\ a proposition to establish the office of Congressional 
correspondence and Department business; a bill amending the laws 
relating to contracts for Government supplies; and a bill to continue 
publication of the Revised Statutes.\5\
  In 1888,\6\ on the following subjects: Alien land ownership; clerks 
for Members of Congress; for punishing those setting fires to wood and 
grass on the public lands.
  In 1892 \7\ on the franking privilege to commissioners of United 
States courts.
  4296. Creation and history of the Committee on Reform in the Civil 
Service.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Reform in the Civil Service 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to reform in the civil service.''
  Section 36 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to reform the civil service: to the Committee on Reform in the Civil 
Service.

  This committee consists of thirteen Members.
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\8\ having been a 
select committee prior to that date.
  4297. The Committee on Reform in the Civil Service has exercised a 
general jurisdiction over bills relating to the status of officers, 
clerks, and employees in the civil branches of the Government.--The 
Committee on Reform in the Civil Service has exercised a general 
jurisdiction over projects of legislation relating to the officers, 
clerks, and employees in the civil branches of the Government, having 
reported:
  In 1896,\9\ 1899,\10\ and 1900,\11\ bills giving preference to 
soldiers, sailors, and marines in civil-service appointments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 3679; and also 
second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 225.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2854.
  \3\ Second session Forty-seventh Congress, Journal, p. 41; Record, p. 
56.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 479, 1417, 1955.
  \5\ On May 13, 1879 (first session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, pp. 
1301, 1302), a discussion occurred as to the respective jurisdictions 
of the Committees on Revision of the Laws and Judiciary.
  \6\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 1454, 1455, 1481.
  \7\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 696.
  \8\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Journal, p. 13; Record, pp. 
477, 478.
  \9\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 517.
  \10\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2056.
  \11\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 6784.
Sec. 4298
  In 1884 \1\ and 1887 \2\ bills to repeal the tenure of office act; 
and in 1888 \3\ the bill (H. R. 1571) fixing a tenure of office of four 
years for certain Government officials.
  In 1892,\4\ a bill to regulate the appointment of fourth-class 
postmasters; and a bill to exclude political influence in the 
appointment of laborers.
  In 1896,\5\ a bill relating to deposit of the revenues by officers 
receiving them.
  In 1888,\6\ the bill (H. R. 1787) relating to the apportionment of 
appointments in the civil service among the several States on the basis 
of population; and the bill (H. R. 1884) to establish a retired list 
for persons employed in the civil service.\7\
  In 1886,\8\ the bill (H. R. 6855) to secure an equitable 
classification \9\ and compensation of certain officers of the United 
States.
  4298. Matters relating to the Civil Service Commission and alleged 
violations of the law have been reported by the Committee on Reform in 
the Civil Service.--The Committee on Reform in the Civil Service has 
reported on the following subjects:
  In 1886,\10\ on the investigation of certain employees of the House 
alleged to have attempted to influence legislation.
  In 1892,\11\ on violations of the civil-service law in Alabama, and 
on the investigation of the Baltimore post-office.
  In 1890,\12\ on an investigation of the Civil Service Commission.
  In 1893,\13\ on certain reinstated employees.
  In 1896,\14\ on a bill relating to delinquent officials.
  In 1905,\15\ on the dismissal of letter carriers.
  4299. The creation and history of the Committee on the Election of 
President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress, section 37 
of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Election of President, Vice-
President, and Representatives in Congress jurisdiction of subjects 
relating to the election of the officials enumerated in the 
designation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1955.
  \2\ Second session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 3539.
  \3\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 807.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 821, 1403.
  \5\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 385.
  \6\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 328, 329, 1457.
  \7\ Also in 1903 and 1904 this committee reported bills relating to 
retirement and superannuation. Second session Fifty-seventh Congress, 
Reports Nos. 2753-2760; and second session Fifty-eighth Congress, 
Report No. 2750.
  \8\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1303.
  \9\ Also in 1904 on reclassification of employees in the civil 
service. (Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No: 2751.)
  \10\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 2337.
  \11\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 1669, 1747.
  \12\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2445.
  \13\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2408.
  \14\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 386.
  \15\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 3540.
                                                            Sec. 4300
  Section 37 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the election of the President, Vice-President, or Representatives in 
Congress: to the Committee on election of President, Vice-President, 
and Representatives in Congress.

  This committee consists of thirteen Members.
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\1\ having been a 
select committee prior to that date.
  4300. The Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, and 
Representatives in Congress has reported proposed constitutional 
amendments providing for election of Senators by the people and the 
disqualification of polygamists as Representatives.--The Committee on 
Election of President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress 
reported in 1892,\2\ 1896,\3\ 1898,\4\ and 1900 \5\ on joint 
resolutions proposing an amendment to the Constitution providing for 
the election of United States Senators by direct vote of the people.\6\
  This committee also reported in 1899\7\ and 1900\8\ joint resolutions 
proposing amendments to the Constitution prohibiting polygamy within 
the United States, and disqualifying polygamists for election as 
Senators or Representatives in Congress.
  4301. The Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, and 
Representatives in Congress has reported bills relating to the national 
election laws and the enforcement thereof.--The standing Committee on 
Election of President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress 
dates from 1893, but before that date select committees exercised 
jurisdiction and reported:
  In 1888,\9\ the bill (H. R. 6672) defining the necessary and proper 
expenses incident to the nomination and election or appointment of 
Senators and Representatives, and authorizing the payment thereof.
  In 1890,\10\ the bill (H. R. 7712) ``to regulate in part the time and 
manner of holding elections of Representatives in Congress, and for 
other purposes;'' and the bill (H. R. 11045) ``to amend and supplement 
the election laws of the United States and to provide for the more 
efficient enforcement of such laws and for other purposes.'' \11\
  In 1893,\12\ the bill (H. R. 2331) to repeal the Federal election 
laws, including those relating, to the duties of United States deputy 
marshals.\13\
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Record, pp. 477, 478; 
Journal, p. 13.
  \2\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 368.
  \3\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 994.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 125.
  \5\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 88.
  \6\ In 1888 (first session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1456) the 
Committee on Revision of the Laws reported a resolution of this nature.
  \7\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2307.
  \8\ First session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 348.
  \9\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1786. But in 1882 
(first session, Forty-seventh Congress, Report No. 912) the Committee 
on the Judiciary reported the bill (H. R. 5352) in relation to 
elections in West Virginia.
  \10\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 1882, 2493.
  \11\ But at this time the Committee on the Judiciary reported as to 
the subject of abridgment of the suffrage under the fourteenth 
amendment. (Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 4009.)
  \12\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 18; also second 
session Fifty-second Congress, Report No 2310.
  \13\ The Committee on the Judiciary also reported a bill relating to 
the deputy marshals. (First session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 
14.)
Sec. 4302
  In 1898,\1\ the bill (H. R. 10550) providing for the voting of 
solders at Congressional elections.
  In 1899,\2\ the bill (H. R. 11356) to permit the use of voting 
machines at elections of Representatives in Congress.\3\
  In 1906,\4\ on bills relating to frauds in elections, publicity of 
election expenses, and election and terms of Representatives in 
Congress.
  4302. Proposed changes of the Constitution as to the term of Congress 
and the President and the time of annual meeting of Congress have been 
considered by the Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, 
and Representatives in Congress.--The standing Committee on Election of 
President, Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress, and the 
select committees which preceded it, have reported:
  In 1888,\5\ the resolution (H. Res. 33) proposing an amendment to the 
Constitution fixing the terms of Members of the House, and the date for 
the holding of the annual meeting of Congress; also on a proposed 
amendment changing the time for the commencement and limitation of the 
terms of the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress.
  In 1892,\8\ on the subject of the terms of Congress and of the 
President.
  In 1894,\7\ on the bill (H. R. 6938) ``to appoint the first Tuesday 
after the fourth day of March for the first annual meeting of Congress 
and the first Monday after the first day of January as the day for the 
second annual meeting.
  In 1898,\8\ the joint resolution (H. Res. 6) proposing an amendment 
to the Constitution making the term of Members of the House of 
Representatives four years.
  4303. Changes in the law regarding the electoral count and 
resolutions regulating the actual count by the House and Senate are 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Election of President, 
Vice-president, and Representatives in Congress.--Before the creation 
of the present standing Committee on Election of President, Vice-
President, and Representatives in Congress, on December 6, 1882,\9\ the 
resolutions distributing the President's message gave to the Select 
Committee on Laws Respecting the Election of President and Vice-
President ``so much as relates to legislation in reference to counting 
and declaring the vote for President and Vice-President of the United 
States.''
  The select committee also reported:
  In 1884,\10\ the bill (S. 25) to provide for the meeting of the 
electors of President and Vice-President, the counting of the electoral 
vote, etc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1502.
  \2\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1816.
  \3\ The Committee on the Judiciary reported in 1893 a bill fixing the 
qualification of voters in Cherokee Outlet, in Oklahoma. (First session 
Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 91.)
  \4\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 3165, 3927, 
5082.
  \5\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 219, 841.
  \6\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 543.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 889.
  \8\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 706.
  \9\ Second session Forty-seventh Congress, Journal, p. 41 Record, p. 
56.
  \10\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1117.
                                                            Sec. 4304
  In 1886,\1\ the bill (S. 9) regulating the electoral count.
  After the creation of the standing committee it reported:
  In 1897 \2\ and 1898,\3\ bills relating to a change in the mode of 
transmission of votes of electors for President and Vice-President from 
the several States of the Union to the seat of Government.
  In 1897,\4\ a resolution relating to the electoral vote of South 
Carolina and the abridgment of the political rights of a portion of the 
citizens of that State.
  In 1885 \5\ and 1889,\6\ the select committees reported the 
concurrent resolution providing for the count of the electoral vote in 
the presence of the two Houses; and in 1893 \7\ the standing committee 
reported a similar resolution. In 1897 \8\ and 1901 \9\ this resolution 
was reported by the Committee on Rules; but in 1905 \10\ the 
jurisdiction was returned to the Committee on Election of President, 
Vice-President, and Representatives in Congress.
  4304. Subjects relating to the succession of the office of President 
in case of his death, disability, etc., have been within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Election of President, Vice-President, 
and Representatives in Congress.--In 1882,\11\ before the creation of 
the standing Committee on the Election of President, Vice-President, 
and Representatives in Congress, the resolutions distributing the 
President's message referred to the Select Committee on Laws Respecting 
the Election of President and Vice-President so much as related ``to 
the intendment of the Constitution in its provisions for devolving 
Executive functions upon the Vice-President in the event of disability 
of the President.''
  In 1884,\12\ the select committee which preceded the present standing 
committee reported the bill (S. 22) providing for the performance of 
the duties of President and Vice-President in case of removal, death, 
or resignation.
  In 1886,\13\ the same select committee reported the bill (S. 471) 
changing the law in regard to the succession to the Presidential 
office, and the bill (H. R. 61) proposing an amendment to the 
Constitution relating to the creation of the office of Second Vice-
President.
  In 1895 \14\ the standing committee reported on the resolution (H. 
Res. 249) proposing an amendment to the Constitution making the 
President ineligible to succeed himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1638.
  \2\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 3044.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 145.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 3065.
  \5\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Record, pp. 1037, 1053.
  \6\ Second session Fiftieth Congress, Record, p. 1254.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Record, p. 642.
  \8\ Second session Fifty-fourth Congress, Record, p. 1462.
  \9\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 1736.
  \10\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Record, p. 918.
  \11\ Second session Forty-seventh Congress, Journal, p. 41; Record, 
p. 56.
  \12\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1323.
  \13\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 26, 2493.
  \14\ Third session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1658.
Sec. 4305
  4305. The creation and history of the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor 
Traffic, section 38 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to alcoholic liquor traffic.''
  Section 38 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to alcoholic liquor traffic; to the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor 
Traffic.

  This committee consists of 11 Members.
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\1\ having been a 
select committee from May 16, 1879,\2\ when it was created on motion of 
Mr. William P. Frye, of Maine.
  4306. Illustrations of the jurisdiction of the Committee on Alcoholic 
Liquor Traffic.--The Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic has reported 
bills as follows:
  On February 17, 1885,\3\ the bill (H. R. 2693) to regulate the 
manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors in the Territories.
  In 1898 \4\ the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic reported the 
bill (H. R. 7937) to prevent the sale of intoxicating liquors on 
reservations and in buildings controlled by the United States.
  In 1896,\5\ a bill to provide for a commission on the subject of the 
alcoholic liquor traffic.
  In 1901 \6\ and 1902,\7\ bills relating to the sale of firearms, 
opium, and intoxicants to native races in the South Sea Islands.
  In 1890,\8\ the bill (H. R. 5978) to prohibit the transportation of 
intoxicating liquors into any State or Territory in violation of law; 
but this jurisdiction does not accord with the later practice of the 
House, which has referred bills relating to the interstate commerce 
features of the liquor traffic to the Committee on the Judiciary.\9\
  On February 10, 1888,\10\ in the House Mr. James E. Campbell, of 
Ohio, moved that the Committee on Alcoholic Liquor Traffic be 
discharged from the consideration of a bill relating to special taxes 
on liquor dealers under the internal-revenue laws and that the bill be 
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. This motion was agreed to, 
ayes 95, noes 46.
  4307. The creation and history of the Committee on Irrigation of Arid 
Lands, section 39 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Irrigation of Arid Lands 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to the irrigation of Arid lands.''
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Journal, p. 13, Record, pp. 
477, 478.
  \2\ First session Forty-sixth Congress, Record, p. 1394 Journal, p. 
314.
  \3\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2586.
  \4\ Second session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 1629.
  \5\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1789.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-sixth Congress, Report No. 2887.
  \7\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 261.
  \8\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1697.
  \9\ See section 4061 of this work.
  \10\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Record, p. 1118.
                                                            Sec. 4308
  Section 39 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to the irrigation of arid lands; to the Committee on Irrigation of Arid 
Lands.

  This committee consists of twelve Members.
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\1\ having been a 
select committee prior to that date.
  4308. Examples of the general jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Irrigation of Arid Lands.--The Committee on Irrigation of Arid Lands 
reported in 1902 \2\ the bill ``appropriating the receipts from the 
disposal and sale of public lands in certain States and Territories to 
the construction of irrigation works for the reclamation of arid 
lands'' and also has reported:
  In 1904,\3\ on the use of earth, stone, and timber on forest 
reservations and public lands for irrigation works.
  In 1905,\4\ on dams across the Yellowstone River, and on the 
reclamation fund.
  4309. The creation and history of the Committee on Immigration and 
Naturalization, section 40 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to immigration or naturalization.''
  Section 40 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to immigration or naturalization; to the Committee on Immigration and 
Naturalization.

  This committee consists of fourteen Members.
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\1\ having been a 
select committee prior to that date.
  4310. The Committee on Immigration and Naturalization exercises a 
general but not exclusive jurisdiction over the subject of immigration 
and has reported bills relating to contract labor.--The Committee on 
Immigration and Naturalization, since its establishment as a standing 
committee in 1893, and before that as a special committee, has 
exercised generally jurisdiction over the subject of immigration, 
although there are a few notable exceptions.\5\ Measures reported by 
the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization have been:
  In 1906,\6\ the general revision of the immigration laws.
  In 1891,\7\ on the immigration laws.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Record, pp. 477, 478; 
Journal, p. 13.
  \2\ First session Fifty-seventh Congress, Report No. 794; 32 Stat. 
L., p. 388.
  \3\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2584.
  \4\ Third session Fifty-eighth Congress, Reports Nos. 4833, 48314.
  \5\ In 1892 (Fifty-first session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 
255) and in 1891 (second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 4048) 
this committee reported on the subject of Chinese immigration; but in 
1882 (second session Fortyseventh Congress, Journal, p. 40; Record, p. 
56) the House in distributing the President's message referred to the 
Judiciary Committee ``the construction of the law restricting 
immigration of laborers from China;'' and the broad question of Chinese 
immigration has long rested with the Committee on Foreign Affairs (See 
sec. 4172 of this volume). The Judiciary Committee also reported in 
1894 (second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1460) on 
exclusion and deportation of alien anarchists, and the same year on 
inspection of immigrants by consuls (Report No. 416).
  \6\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 3021, 3635, 
4558, 4912.
  \7\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 3472, 3807.
Sec. 4311
  In 1892,\1\ on the immigration and contract labor laws.
  In 1893,\2\ on immigration laws.
  In 1894,\3\ the bill (H. R. 7415) for the protection of American 
labor and to establish additional regulations concerning immigration to 
the United States.
  4311. In the later practice the Committee on Immigration and 
Naturalization has confirmed its jurisdiction over the subject of 
naturalization.--The Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, which 
has been a standing committee since 1893, has established its claim to 
jurisdiction over the subject of naturalization, having in 1906 \4\ 
reported important legislation on that subject; but up to 1893 the 
Committee on the Judiciary exercised a general and frequent 
jurisdiction over this subject, reporting general bills relating to 
naturalization \5\ 1 and even in 1894,\6\ on naturalization of 
Japanese. The Judiciary Committee also reported in 1886,\7\ 1888,\8\ 
and 1890 \9\ on bills relating to the ownership of lands within the 
United States by aliens.
  4312. Authorizations for sites and buildings for immigrant stations 
are within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Immigration and 
Naturalization.--The Committee on Immigration and Naturalization has 
jurisdiction over the authorizations of immigrant stations at the ports 
of the United States, and the construction of buildings therefor; and 
has reported:
  In 1891,\10\ on the immigrant depot at New York.
  In 1906,\11\ the bill (H. R. 19468) to increase the limit of cost of 
the construction of the immigrant station at Angel Island, in the 
harbor of San Francisco, Cal.
  In 1907,\12\ bills providing for the establishment of immigrant 
stations, the selection of sites and the erection of buildings thereon, 
at Galveston, Charleston, and New Orleans.
  4313. The creation and history of the Committee on Ventilation and 
Acoustics, section 41 of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Ventilation and Acoustics 
jurisdiction of subjects relating ``to ventilation and acoustics.''
  Section 41 of Rule XI provides for the reference of subjects 
relating--

to ventilation and acoustics; to the Committee on Ventilation and 
Acoustics.

  This committee consists of seven Members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1573. See, 
however, the jurisdiction of the Labor Committee as to contract labor 
legislation. (See sec. 4249 of this volume.)
  \2\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 2197, 2206, 
2542.
  \3\ First session Fifty-fourth Congress, Report No. 1597.
  \4\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 1789, 3632.
  \5\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1030; first 
session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 731; second session Fiftieth 
Congress, Report No. 4145; second session Fifty-second Congress, Report 
No. 2180; first session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 139.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1385.
  \7\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1951.
  \8\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 255.
  \9\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 2388.
  \10\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 3857.
  \11\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 4640.
  \12\ Second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 8026, 8028, 
8061.
                                                            Sec. 4314
  It was made a standing committee on August 18, 1893,\1\ having been a 
select committee prior to that date.\2\
  4314. Subjects relating to the Hall of the House have been considered 
by the Committee on Ventilation and Acoustics.--The Committee on 
Ventilation and Acoustics reported in 1891 \3\ on the enlargement of 
the Hall of the House; and in 1899 \4\ on a plan for remodeling of the 
Hall and a rearrangement of the seats therein.
  4315. Creation and history of the ten Committees on Expenditures in 
the Various Departments of the Government, sections 42 to 52 of Rule 
XI.
  The rule gives to the several Committees on Expenditures jurisdiction 
of the pay of officers, abolition of useless offices, and the economy 
and accountability of officers.
  The examination of the accounts of the Departments, proper 
application of public moneys, enforcement of payment of money due the 
Government, and economy and retrenchment generally are within the 
jurisdiction of the several Committees on Expenditures.
  There are ten Committees on Expenditures in the various Departments 
of the Government, provided for by sections 42 to 52 of Rule XI:

  42. The examination of the accounts and expenditures of the several 
Departments of the Government and the manner of keeping the same; the 
economy, justness, and correctness of such expenditures; their 
conformity with appropriation laws; the proper application of public 
moneys; the security of the Government against unjust and extravagant 
demands; retrenchment; the enforcement of the payment of moneys due to 
the United States; the economy and accountability of public officers; 
the abolishment of useless offices; the reduction or increase of the 
pay of officers, shall all be subjects within the jurisdiction of the 
nine standing committees on the public expenditures in the several 
Departments, as follows:
  43. In the Department of State; to the Committee on Expenditures in 
the State Department.
  44. In the Treasury Department; to the Committee on Expenditures in 
the Treasury Department.
  45. In the War Department; to the Committee on Expenditures in the 
War Department.
  46. In the Navy Department; to the Committee on Expenditures in the 
Navy Department.
  47. In the Post-Office Department; to the Committee on Expenditures 
in the Post-Office Department.
  48. In the Interior Department; to the Committee on Expenditures in 
the Interior Department.
  49. In the Department of Justice; to the Committee on Expenditures in 
the Department of Justice.
  50. In the Department of Agriculture; to the Committee on 
Expenditures in the Department of Agriculture.
  51. In the Department of Commerce and Labor; to the Committee on 
Expenditures in the Department of Commerce and Labor.
  52. On public buildings; to the Committee on Expenditures on Public 
Buildings.

  Each of these committees consists of seven Members.
  On February 26, 1814,\5\ Mr. John W. Eppes, of Virginia, in order to 
relieve the Committee on Ways and Means of some of its duties, moved 
the creation of a Com-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Fifty-third Congress, Record, pp. 477, 478; 
Journal, p. 13.
  \2\ In the old Hall of the House, now Statuary Hall, the acoustics 
were a source of constant trouble because of the echoes, and several 
investigations were made, resulting in reports of considerable 
interest. (First session Twenty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 83 and 
123.)
  \3\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 4021.
  \4\ Third session Fifty-fifth Congress, Report No. 2206.
  \5\ Second session Thirteenth Congress, Journal, pp. 311, 314: 
Annals, p. 1695.
Sec. 4316
mittee on Public Expenditures. The House agreed to the motion, and made 
it the duty of the new committee ``to examine into the state of the 
several public departments, and particularly into the laws making 
appropriations of moneys, and to report whether the moneys had been 
disbursed conformably with such laws,'' and also to report measures to 
add to the economy of the Departments and the accountability of 
officers. This committee seems to have been industrious at times, at 
least, for on August 23, 1840,\1\ a motion to abolish it failed, it 
being urged in its behalf that it entered into careful scrutiny of 
expenditures, even examining the furnishings of the White House. This 
committee was continued until the revision of the rules in 1880,\2\ 
when it was dropped.
  The several Committees on Expenditures, which are to be distinguished 
from that committee, date from March 30, 1816,\3\ when, the spirit of 
inquiry being aroused by ``clamors and suspicions'' that had gone 
forth, Mr. Henry St. George Tucker, of Virginia, proposed these 
committees, which had been found useful in England and in Virginia. The 
House created them at that time, and on February 19, 1817,\4\ when Mr. 
Charles H. Atherton, of New Hampshire, proposed to add to the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Public Expenditures the subject of 
abolition of useless offices and regulation of pay of officers, the 
House preferred rather to add this new jurisdiction to the several 
expenditures committees. Long before the custom of appointing standing 
committees for the whole Congress instead of for a session had been 
established an exception was made of these committees, and they were 
appointed for the whole Congress.\5\ As adopted in 1816 the rule did 
not include the committees for the Departments of Interior, Justice, 
Agriculture, and Commerce and Labor, which had not been created at that 
time. The committees for these Departments date, respectively, from 
March 16, 1860,\6\ January 16, 1874,\7\ December 20, 1889,\8\ and 
December 11, 1905.\9\ Although usually having little to do, these 
committees at times attain great importance and prominence.\10\
  4316. The several Expenditures Committees may make investigations 
with or without specific direction from the House, but authority must 
be obtained of the House for compelling testimony.--The several 
Committees on Expenditures in the Departments of the Government, being 
charged by the rules with the duty of making investigations, have 
assumed the right to do so without further specific direction of the 
House. Such investigations were made in 1885 \11\ by the Committee on 
Expenditures in the Department of Justice and in 1893 \12\ by the 
Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State. As these
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Twenty-sixth Congress, Globe, p. 352.
  \2\ It appears last in the rules of first session Forty-sixth 
Congress, Journal, p. 625.
  \3\ First session Fourteenth Congress, Journal, p. 550; Annals, p. 
1298.
  \4\ Second session Fourteenth Congress, Journal, p. 425; Annals, p. 
996.
  \5\ Third session Twenty-seventh Congress, Journal, pp. 37, 742. In 
1842 a Committee on Retrenchment was active. (Second session Twenty-
seventh Congress, Journal, pp. 486, 491.)
  \6\ First session Thirty-sixth Congress, Globe, p. 1209.
  \7\ First session Forty-third Congress, Record, p. 677.
  \8\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Record, p. 336.
  \9\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Journal, p. 120.
  \10\ See section 2444 of Volume III of this work.
  \11\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2645.
  \12\ Second session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2616.
                                                            Sec. 4317
committees have not the power to compel testimony except by special 
grant by the House, these investigations taken under authority of the 
rules are merely inquiries undertaken with the cooperation or 
acquiescence of the officers of the Departments affected. And when, in 
1884,\1\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice 
proposed, in its investigation of charges against the First Comptroller 
of the Treasury, to go further and compel testimony, it was fortified 
by this resolution of the House:

  Resolved, That the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of 
Justice, in making the investigation required by the rules of the 
House, be authorized to send for persons and papers.

  In accordance with this authority the committee took testimony, which 
it reported to the House.\2\
  In other cases these committees have proceeded on direction of the 
House that they investigate, as in investigations made by the Committee 
on Expenditures in the Department of Justice and by the Committee on 
Expenditures in the War Department in 1886,\3\ and by the Committee on 
Expenditures in the Department of Agriculture in 1906.\4\
  4317. Legislative propositions relating to the fees and salaries of 
officers and employees of the Government have been considered by the 
various Committees on Expenditures.--The Committees on Expenditures in 
the various Departments have exercised a general jurisdiction over 
bills relating to the salaries and compensation of officers and 
employees of the Government, and have reported:
  In 1886,\5\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of 
Justice the bill (H.R. 6977) abolishing the fee system and establishing 
salaries in the offices connected with the circuit and district courts 
of the United States.
  In 1888,\6\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department 
on the subject of an inquiry into irregularities in the compensation of 
officers and employees of the Executive Departments; the Committee on 
Expenditures in the Interior Department on the bill (H.R. 1549) 
relating to fees to pension examining surgeons and the bill (H.R. 9422) 
relating to compensation of chiefs of division in the General Land 
Office; and the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice 
on the bill (H.R. 9908) relating to the compensation of United States 
district attorneys, etc.
  1890,\7\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department on 
the bill (H.R. 8106) to increase the pay of watchmen in the Treasury 
Department; the Committee on Expenditures in the Interior Department on 
the bill (H.R. 9283) providing increases of salaries of certain 
officials in the Indian Bureau; and the
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
  \1\ First session Forty-eighth Congress, Journal, p. 273.
  \2\ Second session Forty-eighth Congress, Report No. 2675.
  \3\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Reports Nos. 521, 2023.
  \4\ First session Fifty-ninth Congress, Record, pp. 5607, 6324, 6406, 
6573; second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 8147.
  \5\ First session Forty-ninth Congress, Report No. 1132.
  \6\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 1198, 2078, 2190, 
2424.
  \7\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 797, 1411, 2542.
Sec. 4318
Committee on Expenditures in the Post-Office Department on the bill 
(H.R. 803) to pay employees of the Post-Office Department additional 
compensation for extra hours of duty in the year 1885.
  In 1891,\1\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of 
Justice on the subject of the fees of court officers; and the Committee 
on Expenditures in the Treasury Department on the compensation in the 
Life-Saving Service.
  In 1892,\2\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department 
on increases of salaries of the Supervising Architect and the chief 
clerks in his department.\3\
  4318. The Committees on Expenditures in the several Departments have 
reported bills creating and abolishing offices and employments.--The 
Committee on Expenditures in the Interior Department reported:
  In 1888,\4\ the bill (H.R. 1548) increasing the medical board of the 
Pension Department.
  In 1890,\5\ the resolution (H. Res. 135) empowering the Secretary of 
the Interior to appoint six additional members of the board of pension 
appeals.
  The Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department reported, in 
1894,\6\ on the subject of the discontinuance of the offices of 
collectors of customs at several ports.\7\
  4319. Bills relating to leaves of absence of officers and clerks of 
the Government have been considered by the several Committees on 
Expenditures.--The Committees on Expenditures in the various 
Departments of the Government have had general jurisdiction of 
legislation relating to the leaves of absence of officers and clerks, 
reporting:
  The Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department, in 1888,\8\ 
1890,\9\ 1892,\10\ and 1894,\11\ on leaves of absence in the customs 
service; and, in 1892,\12\ on leaves of absence in the Treasury 
Department proper.
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  \1\ Second session Fifty-first Congress, Reports Nos. 3530, 3740.
  \2\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Reports Nos. 1211, 1212.
  \3\ In very recent years these Committees on expenditures have grown 
inactive, and have permitted bills plainly within the jurisdiction 
conferred on them by the rules to be taken by some of the larger 
committee. Thus, in 1907 (second session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report 
No. 6722), the Committee on Ways and Means reported the bill (H.R. 
12222) authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to fix the 
compensation of inspectors of customs; also the same year the Committee 
on the Judiciary reported the bill in relation to salaries of district 
attorneys and assistant district attorneys for the northern district of 
Illinois (Report No. 7557); and the Committee on Patents the bill (H.R. 
22678) to provide increased force and salaries in the Patent Office.
  \4\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 1197.
  \5\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 1361.
  \6\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 1033.
  \7\ But in 1906 (first session Fifty-ninth Congress, Report No. 583) 
the Committee on Ways and Means reported the bill (H.R. 7114) to 
provide for the consolidation and reorganization of the customs 
collection districts.
  \8\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Report No. 2616.
  \9\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 648.
  \10\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1213.
  \11\ Second session Fifty-third Congress, Report No. 713.
  \12\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 6529.
                                                            Sec. 4320
  The Committee on Expenditures in the Navy Department, in 1892,\1\ on 
leaves of absence for navy-yard employees.
  4320. Bills relating to the efficiency and integrity of the public 
service have been considered by the several Committees on 
Expenditures.--The Committees on Expenditures in the various 
Departments of the Government have exercised a general jurisdiction 
over matters relating to the efficiency and integrity of the public 
service, and have reported:
  In 1888,\2\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Interior Department, 
the bill (H. R. 7434) relating to the payment of pensions to pensioners 
who are incompetent to handle the money, such as those under 
guardianship; and the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury 
Department the bill (H. R. 9623) to provide for printing Government 
securities in the highest style of the art.
  In 1890,\3\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department, 
the bill (S. 2237) providing for the maintenance of discipline among 
customs officers.
  In 1892,\4\ the Committee on Expenditures in the Treasury Department, 
on the protection of persons engaged in public works or in furnishing 
materials to the Government.
  In 1904,\5\ the Committee on Expenditures in the State Department, on 
the use of official carriages.
  4321. The creation and history of the Committee on Rules, section 53 
of Rule XI.
  The rule gives to the Committee on Rules jurisdiction of ``all 
proposed action touching the rules, joint rules, and order of 
business.''
  Section 53 of Rule XI provides:

  All proposed action touching the rules, joint rules, and order of 
business shall be referred to the Committee on Rules.

  This committee consists of five members.
  From the First Congress, in 1789, there has always been a Committee 
on Rules, but it was for many years simply a select committee 
authorized at the beginning of each Congress to report a system of 
rules. In 1841 it was decided that the committee, which was still a 
select committee, might report from time to time.\6\ At first the 
Speaker was not a member of the committee, but on June 14, 1858,\7\ a 
resolution was agreed to authorizing the appointment of a committee on 
rules, of whom the Speaker\8\ was to be one, to revise the rules and 
report at the next session. The committee
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  \1\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 1036.
  \2\ First session Fiftieth Congress, Reports Nos. 806, 3220.
  \3\ First session Fifty-first Congress, Report No. 800.
  \4\ First session Fifty-second Congress, Report No. 2124.
  \5\ Second session Fifty-eighth Congress, Report No. 1138.
  \6\ First session Twenty-seventh Congress, Journal, p. 204; Globe, p. 
153.
  \7\ First session Thirty-fifth Congress, Journal, p. 1141; First 
session Thirty-sixth Congress, Journal, p. 167.
  \8\ At that time James L. Orr, of South Carolina. (For the membership 
of the Committees on Rules from 1789 to 1893, see Record, first session 
Fifty-third Congress, p. 1042.)
Sec. 4322
continued to be a select committee \1\ until the revision of 1880,\2\ 
when it was made a standing committee, with its membership fixed at 
five, in accordance with the previous usage. In 1891 the right to 
report at any time was conferred upon the committee,\3\ and in 1893 it 
was given the right to sit during sessions of the House.\4\
  4322. Orders or resolutions directing committees of the House to make 
investigations are considered by the Committee on Rules.
  Resolutions or orders for the creation of select committees to make 
investigations are within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules.
  Forms of resolutions for directing a standing committee to make an 
investigation or for creating a select committee for that purpose.
  On January 11, 1882,\5\ Mr. Godlove S. Orth, of Indiana, proposed 
this resolution:

  Resolved, That the Committee on Reform of the Civil Service is hereby 
instructed to inq