The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-01-23
CONGRESSIONAL.

that laws lie passed. tiat all No'cih-
ment sales of the bonds of the United
States shall be made only after giving
due public notice, and that all Govern
ment sales of gold shall be by public
auction. 1t was referred to the
Finance Committee. Mr.. Sherman III
troduced a bill relating to the public
debt and the currency. 1t provides for
the Equalization ofcontracts made spc-
ciiically payable in coin, but not of con-
tracts for the borrowing of currency or
the renewal of an indebtedness under
a contract already entered into, unless
such contract originally required pay
ment in coin. One hundred and forty
million dollars of customs receipts are
to be applied to the payment of the in
tcrest and reduction Of the principal of
the public debt, in lieu of the sinking
fund now authorized. The holders of
lawful money of the United States are
allowed to exchange the same in multi
Piles of fifty dollars for ten-forty five per
cent gold bouds, which the Secretary
of the Treasury is authorized to issue.
Messers. Williams, Cattcil and Morrill,
of Vermont, all of the Finance Commit
tee, gave notice of their intention to of
fer amendments. Mr.. Trumbull intro
duced bill declaring that the Supreme
Court of the United States shall here
after consist of the Chief Justice and
eight Associate Justices This creates
an additional Justice. 1t was referred
to the Judiciary Committee. The
House bill imposing a tax ofthree cents
per pound on imported copper was ad-
vocated by Messrs. Chandler, Sherman
and Howard, and opposed by Mcssrs.
Whyte, Ferry and Morrill, of Vermont.
Without vote upon the bill, the Sen
ate adjourned.
In the House of Representatives bills
were introduced directing the Secretary
of the Navy to appiont during February
the appropriate quota ofthc reconstruct
ed States of midshipmcn to the Naval
Academy at Annapolis !; and providing
for the construction of lines of telegraph
between New, York Boston, Baltimore
and Philadelphia. They were all re-
fcrred to appropriate committees. Mr..
Holman offered resolution, which was
adopted, declaring that in the present
condition of the public Treasury no
further subsidies should be granted by
Congress, either in bonds or money, to
railroads or other private corporations.
On motion of Mr.. Butler, Il resolution
was passed calling upon the Comptrol-
Ter of the Currency for information
whether any and what banks have been
allowed to exchange the collaborating
interest bonds of the United States for
the six per cents of the Pacific Rail
road; also, whether any banks have
relinquished their charter under the
National banking system, and are doing
business under State charters, still re-
tanning their National Bank circulation,
with the amount of such circulation
outstanding.
On Tuesday, the Presidents reply to
the inquiry regarding the legal author
itv upon which he issued his amnesty
proclamation was laid before the Senate
and read. A resolution was adopted
calling on the President for information
regarding the fishing grounds in the
North Pacific Ocean opened to the
United States by the Alaska treaty.
Among the other bills appropriately IT,
ferrcd was one amcndatory Of the act
for the production of rights of settlers
on public lands; one relating to national
bank securities, and one to complete and
perfect railroad and Geographic commu-
nication with the Pacific Ocean. \
Joint resolution, as an amendment to the
Constitution declaring that all persons
are entitled to the franchise, was laid
on the table The copper bill was then
taken up and passed AT 4.25 p. NJ.
the Senate went into executive session,
and soon after adjourned.
The House rcscndcd resolution i'll
reference to calling on the Adjutant
General of the Army for information
respecting troops serving in Texas, Wiz
GINA, and Mississippi. The Secretary
of War was directed to furnish Informal
ton relative to the employment of Alex.
Dunbar, horse doctor. The bill to
preserve the purity of elections in the
Territories was passed, as was also Sen,
ate concurrent resolution requiring joint
committee to revise and fix pay of OIL.
GERS of both Houses Senate bill grant
ing land and right of way to the Denver
Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Com
pany gave rise to considerable debate.
The principal business transacted in
the House on Wednesday was the pas
sage of bill regulating the Thanking
privilege, the abuse of which had been
source of so much annoyance ano
swindling to the post Office. 1t was
agreed to prohibit the use of FAC-SIMILE
stamps, each member being required il
future to sign his own name. The de
cisive majority by which it passed, one
hundred and twenty-six yeas to iifty-si,
nays, shows the earnestness of the House
in arresting this evil. The debate OF
the Pacific Railroad, Eastern Division
was continued after the morning hour
Messrs. Covode and Kelly made Ions
speeches in favor, and Mr.. Van Trump
of Ohio, in opposition to further lane
grants to the company.
The proceedings in the Senate OIL
Wednesday were not of very interest
ing or important character Senator
Pomcrov presented dozen memorial:
for woman suffrage, from various part:
of the country. Mr.. Wilson introduced
two military bills-one to re-organiz'
the grade of army officers, and the othe
for the reduction of the regular army
After this came a sharp contest between
Mr.. Edmunds and Mr.. Sherman, th'
former wishing to get an expression
from the Senate on his resolution declar
ing that the public securities should b'
paid in gold Or its equivalent, and TIL
latter cndcavoring to get up the AIRLINE
railroad bill, which he finally succeeded
in doing. Senator Whytc, of Maryland
made violent speech against the bill
after which the Senate went into exec
utivc session, which continued for abou
an hour. The case of Alexander Cum
mings for Commissioner of Interna
Revenue was taken up and debated 70
about thrce-guarters of an hour, whel