Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-12
Mr.. Colfax resumed his seat, and the new

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members were sworn in.
MIR. Colfax announced that the President had
signed, within the legal time, all bills passed
within the last ten days, except that appropriate
ing fifty thousand dollars for the Paris Exposi-
tlon which was not engrossed.
A protest accompanied the appropriation bill
to the following effect That the second section
contains provisions virtually in certain cases de-
prlvlng the President of his constitutional func
lions as COMMANDMENTS Chief of the army The
sixth section denies the States Of the Union the
constitutional right to protect themselves by
means of their own militia. These provisions
are out of place in an appropriation bill, but the
President is compelled to defeat the necessary
appropriation if he withhold his signature. He
therefore signs it with protest against these
provisions.
The rules Of the last House were adopted
except that it shall, during this week, be in
order to suspend them The motion about the
suspension was adopted-127 to 80
Adjourned
SENATE, Tuesday, March 5.-Several bills
were presented-one for re organizing the Su.
preme Court. All were laid upon the table until
the appointment of the committees Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
An official announcement was received that
the President had no communication to make.
In the drawing for seats Stevens and Wash
burne were allowed to retain their old seats.
The caucus nominees for office we're elected
Ordway, of New Hampshire, Sergeant at arms,
and Gen. Lillip doorkeeper
Rev. Mr.. Boynton was elected chaplain. One
OF the nominees for that post was Parson Brown
low
After some unimportant business the House
adjourned.
SENATE, Wednesday, March 6-Mr Sum-
ner introduced bill to guarantee republican
government that would protect the loyal people
OF the South; and also prescribe an oath to be
taken.
A standing committee on appropriations was
ordered
Messrs Doolittle and Patterson made personal
explanations, denouncing as false the report OF
the Committee on Expenditures, which intimat-
ed that they had accepted bribes
A joint resolution was introduced, declaring
the municipal Offices of Alexandra, Va, vacant,
because of disobedience by the election commits
sloners to the provisions of Sherman's bill. 1t
was ordered to be printed
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Utah delegate was sworn In
y. j. Stewart contests the seat of Charles e..
Phelps, of Maryland.
Mr. Ward introduced resolution asserting
that an exmember of the cabinet had declared
ID public speech that the evidence in the ap-
preparation cases was obtained by the suborna-
ton of witnesses, and that there was no evidence
against Mrs. Surratt.
A motion was made to lay the resolution on
the table, and Mr. Ward withdrew it.
An effort was made to take up the tariff, but
was defeated by an adjournment
SENATE, Thursday, March THE chairmen
OF the committees were appointed as follows ::
Foreign Relations, Sumner; Financial Sher-
man Commerce, Chandler; Appropriations,
Morrill, Manufactures, Sprague Agricultural,
Cameron; Military, Wilson; Naval Grimes
Judiciary Trumbul Pensions, Van Wrinkle;
Territories, Yates; Pacific Railroad, Howard
Postal Affairs. Ramsey; Lands, Pomeroy
Land Claims, Williams; Indian Affairs, Hen
derson Claims, Howe; Patents, Wiley.
The following bills were introduced and refer
red: TO construct California railroads; for the
sale Of public property at Harpers Ferry for
a constitutional amendment forbidding States
to abndge rights on account of color; to build
a military railroad from Galveston to Fort Glib
| son; and to re-organize the civil government:
of the seeded States.
After an executive session the Senate adjourn
ed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
| Mr.. Hogan, of Missouri, contests Piles seat.
! Mr.. Kelly, of Pennsylvania, introduced re-
solution directing the Judiciary Committee tc
report a bill declaring who shall call conven-
ton to re-organiZe the Southern States, to pro-
vide for the registration of votes, &c. The reso
luton was adopted-says "A. noes 80.
| A resolution directing the Judiciary Commit
tee to pursue the impeachment investigation
was adopted.
A bill was passed ceding Alexandria, Va, tt
the District Of Columbia e?
Adjourned.
SENATE, Friday, March S.-There was
long and unimportant discussion about present
ing gold medal to George Peabody and cxcu
ding liquor from committee-rooms.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
! A motion for the suspension of the rules fol
the purpose Of introducing a joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary OF the Treasury to in
vest fund of over $40, 000,0 900 to purchase
compound interest notes at par value.
A joint resolution appropriating $4,000 tt
the Paris Exhibition was passed.
Members were allowed to draw the stationery
allowed for short session.
A resolution was adopted appointing com
mission to hear the claims of Northern creditor;
banks and citizens Of New Orleans and to divide
the same.
The Secretary Of the Treasury was ordered tt
furnish information relative to property seizec
in Louisiana.
The House ordered the appointment of {
committee on Foreign Relations to take into
consideration Immediately the Canada Confed
Grafton and resolutions of sympathy for Ireland
Mr. Stevens moved the resuscitation of the
Committee on Reconstruction but the House
refused to suspend the rrles-S6 to 50-no
two thirds
Adjourned till Monday