Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-12-21
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

FORTY FIRST CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION.
SENATE w ednesday. Dec. l5th.-A me-
mortal Of the Colored Labor Convention. asking
that the Government lands in Southern States
be divided among the negroes, was presented
and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
The bill providing tor an International exhibit
ton, to be held at Washington In 1871, was re-
ported from the Committee on the District with
the clause recommending an appropriation
stricken out A JOINT resolution allowing re-
wards to be offered for the apprehension of per.
sons numbering revenue officials in the discharge
of their duties, was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. A joint resolution to establish a
lighthouse on the Choptank river, in MARYLAND.
was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Brownlow made personal explanation.
denouncing the conduct of the Stokes partv at
the Tennessee election endorsing Senters &C.
ton denying that the State is to be surrender
ed to rebel control; repudiatng any alliance
with Andrew johnson; expressing contempt
for Bohemian and newspaper lies concerning
him, and declaring that he hoped and expected
to live and retain his seat in the Senate for some
years to come The House resolution, declar-
ing the meaning. OF the eight hour law, was
taken up. Pending It's discussion the Senate
went into executive session, and at it's close ad-
iourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Resolutions
expressing the sympathy of Congress in the
death Of NJ. Peabody, and providing for ap-
propriate honors to his memory, were introduc
ed, and will be called up for discussion on Mon
day. The usual number of new bills and reso-
lutions were introduced and referred to COM
mittees. Among them were bills to provide for
specie payments removal Of ali political dis
abilities increasing tax Oh the circulation and
deposits of National banks, &C., &C. A reso-
luton declaring all lands disencumbered of In
dian titles upon to Immediate entry was referr-
ed to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Reso-
lutions were adopted requiring information as
to the disposition of the indemnity paid by
Japan for injuries inflicted upon American com
merce asking for information concerning Gov
eminent bonds loaned to railroad companies,
and the amount received from National Banks
and ordering an investigation into the cause OF
the accident at the Ayondale mines In Penn
sylvania A bill Ito apportion the representa-
ton of States in the Forty second Congress was
ordered to be printed. The consideration of
the Census bill in Committee of the Whole was
concluded. and the bill was reported to the
House. Pending its discussion, the House adj
journcd.
SENATE. -Thursday, Dec. 16th-A number
of bills and resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred to committees. A joint resolution was
adopted ordering the settlement OF the accounts
of John w. Forney, late Secretary of the Sen
ate, he having paid all balances against him.
A resolution calling on the Attorney General
for copies of any arrangements made by him
with the counsel in the Yerger case was object
ed to and went over. The bill limiting the
jurisdiction Of the Supreme Court was taken
up, and Mr.. Trumbull made speech In favor
of the measure. The bill was then laid aside
and the bill to repudiate and annul the State
Government of Georgia was taken up. Mr..
Morton moved that the State Legislature be
considered provisional until it has ratified the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. A
long discussion ensued and several speeches
were made for and against the proposition
Pending discussion the Senate finally adjourn
ed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE "A number
of bills and resolutions were introduced and dis
posed OF temporarily. A joint resolution ap-
propriating one hundred and thirty thousand
dollars to enable the Secretary Of the interior
to contract with Fisk Mills for group Of
statuary in marble for the South wing of the
Capitol, SO that the building may be completed
by 1875, was referred to the Committee on Pub
lie Buildings The Census bill was taken ur
and passed, and the title was amended so as TO
make it read, act to provide for taking the
ninth census Of the United States" The
Speaker announced the appointment Of mum
Der Of gentlemen to fill vacancies in committees
The Speaker laid before the House commuica
ton from the Secretary of State, stating, in an
sWer to resolution OF the House, that it was
not compatible with the public interests to make
public at this time the correspondence in rela
ton to Cuba A letter from the Secretary O.
the Navy, asking authority to enlist ffteer
thousand men, In addition to the number now al
lowed by law, was referred to the Committee
Naval Affairs The House then went into
Committee of the Whole for general debate.
Mr.. Mungen Of Ohio, made speech upon the
finances, in which he was understood to advo
cate Reputation Of the National debt. He sta
ted however, that he spoke only for himself
He was frequently interrupted, and after the
close OF his speech, Mr. Brooks denounced the
sentiments uttered by Mr. Mungen A mum
Der OF others Of the Democratic members OPP
posed Mr.. Munyon's doctrines, declaring thai
| they Would never agree to Reputation under
any circumstances, and long discussion upor
the question OF the finances took place. Mr.
Garfield offered resolution, declaring s'tha
| the proposition direct or indirect, to repudiatt
any portion of the debt of the United States, il
unworthy the House and unworthy the honor
and good name of the nation, and that the
House, without distinction Of party, sets The
| seal OF Its condemnation upon any and all such
| propositions. 1t was decided, that the reso
luton could not be entertained by the commit
| tee. A couple Of speeches in relation to the
Cuban belligerents were then made. Mr.. Gar
held then renewed his motion, and it was a
dopted by the committee, which Immediately
rose and reported it to the House. The reso
luton was finally passed by vote of 1873 yea
| to nay Mr. Jones, Of Kentucky Mr.. Jones
explained his vote by saying that he woulC
| never be repudiator unless it was decided t.
pay that portion Of the bonded debt in gol(
which was not intended to be so paid Mr.
Eldrldge also withdrew his vote. as the resolu
ton Implied censure of Mr.. Mungen, and he
thought that gentleman had right to make hi
speech If he chose to do so. A message wa
received from the President announcing thai
Alabama had ratified the fifteenth Amendment
The House soon after adjourned until Monday
next.
SENATE. Friday, Dec. 18th. Several new
bills were introduced and temporarily disposed
OF: Among them were bills to prevent persons
who have been employed in the Treasury De
partment, from prosecuting claims against ths
Government, and to provide for reduction O.
| officers OF the United States Army. The Post
master General was requested to communicate
copies of all correspondence with France relat
ing to reduction of postage between that coun
try and the United States The joint resolution
relating to cable telegraphs was discussed briefly
but no action taken. The Georgia Recoustruc
ton bill was taken up and long debate ensued
during which number of speeches were made
on the bill. Mr.. Morton modified his amend
ment SO as to provide that the State shall moi
be admitted until it has ratified the Fifteenth
Amendment Pending the debate, the Senate
took reoasS unt;i = On y nj
E1pD10O T'bo Co,o4o 81 ID