Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-02-06
E,ScJONAL.


SENATE, Jan. 9,-The official report
of the purchase of Alaska was sent In
by the President Bills were offered to
abolish the District Court of Eastern
Texas; to grant lands for railroads in
Nebraska; to provide for publishing q
a medical and surgical history of the
war; ia sell public lands in Alabama
The bill TO sell iron-clads was amended
so as TO reserve nineteen vessels, includ-
ing most of larger sort, like the Dictator,
and to sell thirty-five after due apprais-
ment and bids. A report from the Con-
ference Committee on the bill to cup
ply deficiencies in reconstruction expen-
ses, was adopted. A bill was proposed
to establish In the Treasury a National
|. Bureau of Insurance. The idea is to
secure the fulfillment of insurance con-
tracts, and provide security therefor
The Reconstruction bill was discussed
by Mr.. Pomeroy and Buckalew, the talk
lasting until the hour of adjournment.
HoUsE.-The main business was the
bill concerning the rights of American
citizens, reported from the Foreign AT
fairs Committee. Notice was given of
an amendment to the clause empower
ing the President to retaliate upon the
subject of an offending power so as to
say that arrests of American citizens
shall be deemed Just cause of war, and
the President shall Immediately inform
Congress of the facts. Mr.. Banks spoke
upon the bill until the close of the morn
ing hour The stationary business was
settled by a compromise that from March
4, 1S68 each members allowance shall
be S125. The Deficiency bill then passed.
The bill to declare forfeit certain grants
of lands for railroads in Southern States
was Ifext discussed for long time, but
no vote was taken.
SENATE, Jan. 30.-A bill was offered
granting aid for railway and telegraph
from Idaho to Oregon. 4 bill forthe pro-
! lection of witnesses was introduced
The Additional Tenure Of Office bill came
up. The discussion was very spirited,
and some ugly charges were made against
the ACTION OF many Glasses OF Govern
ment employees. No vote; but notice
that it will be called for very soon. The
Supplemental Reconstruction bill was
then discussed, by Mr.. Cragin and MIR.
Hendricks, until the close Of the session.
Mr.. Howe secured the floor, but gave way
to allow the presentation of the report of
the Committee of Conference on the Cot
ton Tax bill. The Committee recon-
mend receding from the Senate amend
mcnt and substitute a provision exempt
ing cotton imported from abroad after
November, 1868.
HOUsE.-A personal matter concerning
Mr.. Marshall of Kentucky and Gen. Bur-
bridge first occupied attention. Mr.. Sco-
field offered u resolution to investigate
charges made in the newspapers that
Justice Field of the Supreme Court had
| publicly and in an improper way given
his opinion upon questions pending, and
prophesied What the decision of the Court
would be. (Tlie matter referred to is the
Reconstruction acts.) The res oution " as
adopted, only one Democrat in favor 10
So Republicans, and ii Republicans TO 43
Democrats opposed. Discussion was then
resumed upon the bill to protect citizens
abroad. Novote WAS taken. The Lcgis-
lative Appropriation Dill was reported
The amendments to the Whisky Meters
bill were concurred in. The Senate
amendments TO the bill for the sale of the
| iron-clads were toncuIred II.
SENATE, Feb. 1.-The Senate was not
in session Saturday.
HoUsE.-The Speaker presented two
communications from the Secretary of
| the Interior, regarding Indian affairs,
and one from the Secretary of War, with
| reports OF engineers on Improvements in
I'thc Missouri river. Tho contested cleo
tion case at Smith w. Blown, of Ken
tuclSy, was debated, but no vote taken.
SENATE, Feb. 3.-No business of inn
PORTAGE was transacted. The debates OH
reconstruction was kept up in written
speeches Ly Senator Ferry, OF Concec-
ticut, and Stewart, of Nevada. Mr.. Will
liams, of Oregon, has the hoor for to-
morrw. Mr.. Sherman, from the COM
mittee on Finance, reported the House
bill authorizing State taxation OH the
shares of the national banks to he levi
ed by the State in which tie shareholti
ers reside, which was p;ss.u and sent to
the President for approval. The follow
ing bills were introduced and referred to
the Committee.
HoUsE.-A Bill to provide for the
payment of contracts, made payable
in gold and silver. 1t provides that i'm
any suit for the recovery OF an amount
of money contracted 10 he paid in gold
and silver, when judgement is rendered
for the complaint, the judgement chall
he paid in gold or silve coin, and the
court chall direct the payment of the
same specifically in coin. a bill to pro-
vide for an additional issue of one hun
DIRE and fifty million dollars in legal ten
derd notes, TO supply the place: of notes
heretofore withdrawn. a bill to provide
for the removal of the Capitol to st.
Louis Missouri. A bill granting lands
for railroad from Fort Scott, Kansas,
to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The House
resumed the consideration of the con
tested election case from the Second
District of Kentucky. The case was
postponed one week, TO allow Mr.. Brown
to come on and be heard, and then the
House adjourned.