Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-02-11
CONGRESSIONAL,

SENATE Wednesday, Feb. 5-The joint re-
solution providing counsel for Grant, Meade,
and others, was passed.
The reconstruction bill was resumed and dis
cussed.
The southern railroad land forfeiture bill was
referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
After executive session, the Senate adjourn
&c. =,
House. Mr.. Beatty Republican,, the mem
Der elected from Ohio in place Of Hamilton,
deceased, was sworn in.
The bill forfeiting the lands granted southern
RAILROADS was passed, after being amended so as
ayes Sc; nays, 49, The bill declares the
forfeiture to the United States of all public lands
granted in 1856 in Alabama, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi and Florida, to aid in building railroads,
and declares all such land open to homestead
entry and settlement under the law Of 1866.
The bill about the rights ofAmeriean citizens
abroad was discussed
a .;oint resolution authorizing the Secretary
of War to employ counsel to defend Grant,
Meade and any other officers or persons entrust-
ed with the enforcement Of the Reconstruction
acts, against any suit or proceedings in any court
in regard to official acts was passed. Adjourn
ed
SENATE Thursday, Feb GA memorial from
the Arkansas convention asking for power to
remove the State officers, and stating that the
high ones we're enemies to the country, was
referred to the judiciary Committee
a petition from Charles Snyder and $50 other
colored men of North Carolina asking aid to emf
CRATE to Liberia, was referred to the Committee
on Finance.
The reconstruction bill was again discussed.
A bill sending one or more officers to Havre
70 bo cd ha M
Exhibition, was passed.
Two finance bills were reported.
House. 1.-The rights Of American citizens
abroad were again discussed.
The Army appropriation Of $50, 900, 900 was
reported. A discussion of it developed the fact
| that the total appropriations for 1868. 9 are a.
| bout 1912, 0OG 600 for soldiers and sailors
The Military Academy appropriation was dis
cussed. An amendment that no portion be
paid to any cadet appointed from State in
which he does not reside was defeated An
amendment combining the pay to white cadets
was defeated and the bill passed.
The civil appropriation bill was resumed
The amount reported by the committee is
ST. $780, 900. Without action on it the House
adjourned.
SENATE. Friday, Feb. T.-The supplemental
tenure of-office bill was passed. 1t provides thai
teu Ioo PoOo"5o w eoNiOi"i 0Po0A'N
agents of the President, Departments, Bureaus
or their branches unless authorized by the
statute specifying the duty and compensation
shall be appointed, commissioned, employed, OF
continued in office, except five special agents Of
the State Department. Revenue agents OF
inspectors of the internal revenue authorized by
the acts Of March 8, 1861 June b. 1854, March
g. 1865, or any other general or special agents,
commissioned, etc., compensated by law, shall
continue in Office ten days from the passage Of
this act, when the President shall appoint and
the Senate confirm their successors. The Presi-
dent may appoint, with the consent of the Sen
ate, twenty-five general or special agents of the
Treasury Department, and the Secretary may
appoint twenty five detectives in the old man
ner. The Postmaster General may appoint
certain route agents and twenty-five special
agents.
The bill authorizing bridge over the Mis-
sissippi at La Crosse was passed.
After executive session, the Senate adjourn.
cd.
House-After personal explanations from
several members, the House went into Commit.
tee of the Whole on the appropriation BILL A
proposition authorizing the Secretary of Wal
to replace the capitol police by detail of sol
diers was ruled out Of order. After stormy
discussion, and without action, the House ad
journed.