The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL.

select committee to investigate irregu-
larltics in the recent election in South
Carolina; one directing the Postmaster
| General to open negotiations with Eu-
ropean governments for further reduc-
ton in the rate of international post
age; one to make provision for the two
iifths of persons heretofore held in sla-
very; one for payment of Arkansas
members for full term of the Forticth
Congress. Mr. Boutwell's suffrage bill
went over until next Monday. Consid-
Grafton was then resumed on the bill
granting land or right of way to Denver
Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Com
pany it was finally referred to the
Committee on Public Lands.
In the United States Senate. on
Tuesday, Mr.. Sherman reported back
from the Finance Committee the bill
to reorganize the Treasury Department,
with a statement that the committee
had carefully considered the subject,
but had come to the conclusion that no
bill which could meet the views of all
could be matued at this session, and,
therefore, reported joint reolution
providing for the appointment of a Joint
committee at the beginning of the next
Congress to consider the whole subject
of rcorganizing the civil service, with
the power to sit during the recess
The consideration of the Central Pacific
Railroad bill was resumed, and after
| prolonged discussion thereon, without
coming to vote, the Senate adjouencd
| In the House of Representative Mr.
Perham reported a bill amending the
! Pension laws. Mr.. Lynch called up
his bill to provide for the resumption of
specie payments. Mr. Washburc en-
dcayored to get up one of the Appro-
priation BILL but the House seemed de-
tcrmined to hear Mr.. Lynch who read
a long written speech i'll support of his
bill. After other speeches, the bill was
recommittcd and the House adjourned
\ petition was presented on We'd
nesday in the Senate from citizens of
Ohio, protesting against Congress
! granting charters to any secret associa-
lions, such as Masonic Lodges, and
asking repeal Of the charter of the
Masonic Hall Association of the District
of Columbia, believing that they are
dangerous to Republican governments ;
! that Masonic societies have for long
time directed their efforts i'll our country
toward the support of slavery and the
inception of rebellion in its behalf as
proof of which wherever pro-Slavery
sentiments have most prevailed within
the United States, there Masonic Lodges
have most aboundcd: that the members
of the Lodges are bound by barbarous
oaths that are rcpugnant to law, both
human and Divine that they teach
the youth of the country the pcrnicious
practices of conspiracy, and through Il
use of vague signs and symbols, insid-
iously calculated to deceive, they habit
uatc the young and innocent to the
ways of duplicity and decentralization,
&c The petition was appropriately
referred.
A Joint resolution was offered author
ling Commodore Charles H. Baldwin
to accept gold medal from the King
of the Netherlands. Among the bills
referred was one preventing collection
of illegal imports under cover of State
authority; one enabling Choctaw and
ChickaSaw Indians to become citizens
one designating place of confinement
for persons convicted of offences against
the laws of the United States Senator
Sherman's public debt and currency bill
was considered The bill relating to
the Central Branch of the Union Pacific
Railroad was defeated The judiciary
Committee reported a bill to punish the
crime of holding Office in violation of
the fourteenth amendment. The APP
preparation Committee reported the ma
val appropriation bill.
The Senate is discussing, in the
unoccupicd portions Of its business
hour, from dav to day, whether House
bill for the relief of William McGarrahan,
which was postponed indefinitely at the
last session, can now be taken up and
referred to u different committee from
that which then reported against it
The bill affects one of the great mines
of California, and the Senators from the
Pacific coast oppose it, while Mcssrs.
Sumner, Fcssenden, Morton, and others
want to have it newly reported on and
considered. The Senate Committee
on Appropriations had under conside.
ration to-day the petition Of Josiah
Quincy and the other harbor commits
sioners of Boston, asking an appropri-
alton to carry out certain improvements,
but no action was taken.
The document signed by one hundred
and three representatives, and sent to
the Senate, reads thus:
TO the Honorable the Senators Of the
United States:
| In view of the fact that less than two
, months remain of the session. the un.
dcrsigncd Republican members OF con-
grcss respectfully ask that, except when
necessary to fill vacancies, no nomina.
tions shall be confirmed until General
Grants Presidential term commences
John Covo;ic's name heads the list,
and it is followed by that of nearly
+ every prominent Republican, except
Mcssrs. Blaine, Butler, Bingham, Hoop.
er, Schcnck, Spalding, and Epson.
a motion was made in the House to
reconsider the vote by which Mr.
Lynch's specie payment bill was refer
rcd to the Committee on Banking and
Currency The motion was laid on
the table Substitutes were offered for
Mr.. Boutwcl's suffrage bill. The bill
regarding the operation of the pension
law went over On motion an allow,
ance of one years pay was made to
Mr.. Switcler, contestant of Mr.. Ander
sons seat (from Missouri) The House
thcu went into Committee of the Whole
on the Legislature appropriation bill
\ recess was taken at 5 p. NJ. until ! Il
p NJ, when it reasscmbled for general
debate. At l0p. NJ. the House adjourn
ed.
Ga wednesday began in the Senate of the
United States the discussion on the new
amendment to the Constitution granting i'm.
partial suffrage. There need be little fear Of
the result. The times have come when We
may safely predict that the right will win.