Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-01-23
CONGRESSIONAL.

Thursday, 16.-SENATE.-An official
communication from Mr.. Stanton was
duly received, without objection.
The Cotton-tax bill was taken up and
an effort made to agree with the House,
but without success. The House wanted
to repeal the tax altogether; the Senate
proposed to suspend the tax for one year
only. Further action will be taken on
Monday.
The Finance Committee, reported
bill relating to United States notes, re-
enacting the Legal Tender act, and pro-
viding tor contracts payable in gold.
There was some discussion on the pro-
position to appoint naval officers as con-
suls. No action.
Mr.. Stewart called up his bill to cre-
ate school of mines, on which he made
an elaborate speech.
The House bill making appropriations
for the execution OF the Reconstruction
law and for the service of the Quarter
masters Department for the year ending
June 80, 1868, was somewhat amended,
and finally passed.
The Senate, after some unimportant
business, adjourned till Monday.
HoUsE.-An inquiry into the copy
right business was ordered.
There was long contest on bill ex-
tending the time for the completion of
the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad
in Iowa, bat the bill was finally adopted.
Regular official communications were
received and accepted from Mr.. Stanton
as Secretary of War.
The remainder of the session was taken
up in discussion of the Proposed Recon-
struction bill.
Friday, 17.--The Military Committee
of the House, after consultation with
General Grant, have agreed to report
against any present reduction of the
army.
The Senate was not in session yester-
day. The House, after considering some
private bills entered upon the discussion
of the Reconstruction bill. Messrs Gar
field, of Ohio, Boutwell,, of Mass, Peters,
of Maine, and Farnsworth, of Illinois,
were among the speakers in support OF
measure, while Hubbard, of Connecticut,
Brooks, OF New York, and Ross, of Hi
nois, argued against its constitutionality
The last mentioned member made allu-
sions to Congressman drawing pay as
members of the House and as military
officers, as being Interested in contracts,
&c. Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, asked
to whom he referred. Mr.. Ross could
give no satisfactory reply. Thereupon,
Mr.. Washburne turned, the tables by
showing the meanness of those who were
supported by the Government and yet
did all in their power to overthrow it and
impede the work Of reconstruction. Ii
WAS decided that the arguments on the
bill should be continued to-day, aud the
previous question called on its passage,
OH Monday.
Saturday, 1S.-The Senate was not in
session on Saturday. The House devo.
ted the day to speeches in Committee oi
the Whole. Mr.. Bakor of Illinois, ar.
gued against paying for Alaska, contend.
ing that the treaty for its acquisition
would not be complete until the House
voted-which it ought not to do--the
money agreed upon. Mr.. Kelley, ol
Pennsylvania, spoke on the industrialin in.
terests of the coantry. Mr.. Woodward
public debt, and Messrs. Blaine, of Maine
and Hubbard, of West Virginia. in favor
of paying the 5-20s in coin. Mr.. Axtell
of California, spoke in opposition to the
Reconstruction bill. Messrs. FarnswOfth
and Ross, of Illinois, had further dis
cussion over the charges of the former
noticed In the report of Fridays proceed
ings, against the integrity of Republican
Congressman not mentioned, but intend
ed to hit some of his colleagues from Illi-
nois. Mr.. Ross, when urged to be speci-
fic, failed to substantiate his accusations,
and was pretty effectually silenced.
Monday, 20.-SENATE.-The Senate,
yesterday, appointed Conference Com
mittee on the anti-contraction resolution
which was returned from the House.
From the character of the committee, ii
may be concluded that the House bill
will be agreed to.
.HOUsE.-Ths House was chiefly occu-
pied yesterday on the Reconstruction
bill. Mr.. Butler spoke in fayer of amend
ment authorizing the Reconstruction
Conventions. TO FIJI the civil offices. Mr..
Bingham supported the bill in it's pres
ent shape. The vote will be taken to-
day.
The House Committee on Elections, in
the case of John Young Brown, elected
from the Second Kentucky District,
have decided that he has been too openly
rebellious to be eligible to seat in Con-
gress. They have also decided that
Smith, his opponent, who claims to be
elected through Browns incompetency
for the place, Is not entitled TO the seat.
This is the first time that such a ques-
ton has been passed upon by Congress
ora State Legislature. The Committee
are of the opinion that there Is q vacan-
cy in the Second District, and will re-
commend the HOUSE. to SO. notify Gov.