Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-24
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

MONDAY. Dec. l6.-In the Senate, Mr..
Davis, of Kentucky, introduced resolution
amending the constitution so as to create a
tribunal of Jurisdiction to decide questions of
constitutional power between the State and
federal governments 1t was laid over and or
dered to be printed. Mr.. Wilson introduced
bills to reorganize the State Department and to
fix the compensation and define the duties of
diplomatic officers. The bill to exempt raw cot
ton grown after 1867 from taxation was then
taken up, and, pending discussion upon 1t, the
Senate adjourned.
In the House, under the Monday call for bills
and resolutions for reference, one to abolish the
bonded warehouse system, another of inquirlng
into the expedency of relocating the capital, and
several relative to the finance and currency ques-
tons were referred A resolution declaring that
the House will never retrograde from its posi-
ton relative to reconstruction was adopted by
strict party vote. A bill changing the time for
the election of directors OF the Pacific Railroad
| was passed under a suspension OF the ruled
| The Deficiency Appropriation bill was then pass
| ed. A resolution of inquiry into the expediency
of reducing the pay ofmembers Of Congress was
| offered, but objection was made, and the House
adjourned.
TUESDAY, Dec. 17.-In the Senate, the FL
nance Committee reported the bill for funding
the national debt, and was laid over. The pend
ing bill for the repeal of the cotton tax was then
taken up, and general debate ensued, in the
midst of which the Senate adjourned.
In the House the Reconstruction Committee
asked permission to report bill fixing the num-
Der of representatives for each of the Southern
States but objection being made it was not
introduced A resolution authorizing con-
tinuance of the inquiry into the public affairs
of Maryland was adopted. The bill to prevent
cashiered officers from being restored unless
confirmed by the Senate was passed. A COM
munication from General Grant relative to the
removal of Stanton and Sheridan was received.
Among other documents inclosed was the
private letter of General Grant to the Presi-
dent protesting against his right to make the
removals. The papers were referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, and the House
adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Dec 1S-In the Senate the
resolution calling for information in regard to
the occupation of the island of San Juan by
| Great Britain, after some debate, was adopted
A bill supplemental to the reconstruction acts
was referred to the Judiciary Committee. 1t
repeats the provision requiring that one-haf OF
the registered votes shall be cast before the con-
situations of the Southern States are carried
and allows mere majority to decide the cleo
ton. The Judiciary Committee reported in ia
vor of allowing p. f. Thomas, of Maryland, to
take his seat as Senator from that State. The
bill exempting cotton from tax was again dis
cussed, but no action was taken upon it. The
Presidents message in regard to Gen. Hancock
was received, and pending discussion upon it,
the Senate adjourned
In the House call for information relative
to the rights of American vessels in the Ochotsk
sea or other Russian waters was adopted. A bill
to amend the Bankruptcy act was introduced
and referred A bill to furnish honorable dis
charges to certain deserters was reported by the
Committee on Military Affairs and was general
ly discussed the remarks between Mcssrs. Logan
and Garfield being somewhat belligerent. The
bill went over on the expiration OF the morning
hour A bill was reported from the Appropria-
ton Committee making an appropriation to
supply deficiencies in the execution of the Re-
construction and for Quartermasters supplies
of $12, 667 900. In Committee of the Whole
Mr. Spalding addressed the House on the treaty
making power. The Presidents message rela-
tive to General Hancock was laid on the table
and ordered to be printed Mr. Stevens bill
amending the Reconstruction acts so that a
majority only shall be necessary to carry the
election ratlfylng the constitution proposed In
the Southern States was adopted after consider
able debate The House then adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. l9-ln the Senate petit
ton from various citizens praying for protection
to natuialized and native born Americans in
foreign countries elected remarks from Messrs.
Comes, Sherman, Johnson Conkling and Sum
ner all of whom agreed that some action should
be taken to maintain the dignity of the govern
ment The petition was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations The House bill
to supply deficiencies came up, and an amend
ment that no member of either house shall be
allowed stationery or newspapers was adopted
and the bill passed.
In the House leave was asked to Introduce a
| ol,,t,o ~ he 70
Hancock, but objection was made. The con-
sideration Of the bill in reference to deserters
reported on Wednesday was again resumed, and
the bill was recommitted. A call for the cor
respondence relative to the session of Russian
America was agreed to- The Deficiency APP
preparation BILL after some debate, was passed.
1t appropriates $l2 667, 900 to supply Deficiencies
in reconstruction expenses and the Quarter
masters supplies. After some other unim-
portant business the House adjourned.
FRIDAY, Dec. 20.-In the Senate, petition
from citizens OF Ohio asking an increase OF the
currency was referred.
A memorial signed by forty presidents and
professors in colleges asking the abolition of the
tax on philosophical instruments was referred.
The cotton tax bill was resumed, and wide
and wild views were expressed. Pending this,
and without reaching the House amendment to
the reconstruction acts, the Senate adjourn
ed.
In the House, Trimble, of Kentucky, was
admitted to his seat, and John Young Brown
and Major Young sent back to their constitu-
ents The Committee on Elections determined,
much to the chagrin of the extremists not to
seat the minority contestants.
The bill forfeiting the lands granted to south
ern railroads came up Mr. Julian maintained
that none save the New Orleans and Opelousas
railroad had complied with the terms of the
grant. The matter was finally postponed to the
second Thursday in January
The Reconstruction Committee was allowed a
clerk.
There being barely quorum, the House
adjourned.
! fyou suffering from torpid liver, use Ba-
| ker's Premium Bitters.