Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-16
CONGRESSIONAL.

Senate adjourned without coming to vote
The Senate came together again at noon. and
after disposlng of some unimportant business
resumed the consideration Of the amendment
to the Constitution in Committee of the Whole
A number of amendments were offered by diff
ierent members aud rejected The amend
ment was then reported to the Senate and an
ton was adopted A preamble was adopted
providing that the amendments shall be pro-
posed to the State Legislatures for ratification,
and shall be valid if ratified by three fourths of
them. The amendments We're then adopted
and the Senate adjourned. The amendments
now go to the House for concurrence.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. After the
reading Of the journal in the House this morn
ing, Mr. Brooks of New York. made motion
to expunge SO much Of yesterdays journal as
contained business other than that pertaining
to the Army. Appropriation bill, as the session
had been ordered for the special consideration
of that bill The Speaker overruled the point
of order made by Mr.. Brooks, and said the
House had resolved to hold evening sessions
under suspension of the rules, and it was
therefore competent Tor two thirds of the mem
bers present to change the-reguar order of bus
mess and take up any other BILL The Air
Line Railroad bill was taken up. After long
discussion the previous question was ordered,
but before vote was taken Mr.. Eldridge de-
| manded the reading OF the engrossed bill, the
effect of which was to suspend further proceed
ings and send it to the Speakers table. The
Army Appropriation bill was taken up. Pend
ing its discussion the House took a recess until
| I. 80 O'Clock p NJ.
Ecenaag Session. consideration Of the
| Internal Revenue bill was resumed, commenc-
| ing at the sections relating to distilled spirits
and tobacco
SENATE. w ednesday Feb 1Oth.--The Gre
dentials of Hon. w. 7. Hamilton, Senator
elect from the State of Maryland for the term
of six years from march 4th, 1869, were presen-
ted read and placed on file. 4 bill was passed
in relation to the pay OF revenue officers. The
| Senate at - 80 P. NJ. proceeded to the hall of
the House to count the electoral vote. At l. 80
2. NJ. the Senate returned to its Chamber and
proceeded to the consideration Of the objections
made to receiving the vote Of Louisiana It
was decided after some debate that the vote
should be counted. The Senate then returned
to the hall of the House. At 2.55 ?. NJ. the
Senate returned to its Chamber and took up
the objections made to the vote of Georgia, and
a resolution was adopted declaring the ohiecs
tons out of order. The Senate again proceeds
ed to the hall Of the House, and at 4. is p. NJ
returned to its Chamber. A concurrent reso-
luton was adopted appointing committee to
wait on General Grant and Hon. Schuyler Col
fax and Inform them Of their election to the
Offices respectively Of President and Vice Pres
ident Of the United States The Senate soon
after adjourned.
SENATE. Thursday, Feb 11th-After the
transaction Of some unimportant business, Mr.
Davis offered resolution characterizing the
conduct OF Butler, and those who acted with
him yesterday, as noisy, tumultuous and disor.
Derby; that said conduct was disreputable, and
Q wrong and Insult to the people of the United
States. Mr. Ferry objected to the present con
slderation OF the resolution, and it went over
The bill III relation to the public debt and the
currency was taken up and speeches upon the
finances were made by Messrs Conkling, Dix
on, Morrill, and CoIbette, after which the bill
was laid aside Informally A bill was passed
and laws In the District of Columbia A bill
was passed regulating elections in Washington
and Idaho Territories. A bill was also passed
providing for the payment Of three thousand
dollars to the widow Of Samuel B. Hart for the
use Of a screw gun elevator. 4 bill was passed
allowing the Importation Of machinery for re-
pair free Of duty The Senate then went into
executive session, aud at its close took recess
until clock ?. III.
Erensng Session.-The bill authorizing New
York, Newfoundland and London Telegraph
/ Company to land submarine cable upon the
shores Of the United States and the Harbor and
River Appropriation bill were called up, bat no
important action was taken on either. The
Senate at TO- Is adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. Commit
tee was appointed to notify General Grant and
Hon. Schuyler Colfax Of their election to the
Offices respectively of President and Vice Presi-
dent Of the United States The consideration
of the resolution offered by Mr.. Butler, on
Wednesday, was resumed, Mr.. Dawes, OF
Massachusetts, being in the chair in the place
of Mr.. Colfax, who declined to preside. A
number of speeches were made by different
members, including Messrs. Thomas, of Mary
land, Woodward, Of Pennsylvania, Edridge of
Wisconsin,, Bingham and Schenck, of Ohio
All the speakers except Mr.. Schenck denoun-
we're terms, and indicating their purpose Of op
posing them. The House without coming to a
F. N. '' ~ 'ss''ss''' ''0~ ~ ~ y
Erenang Sessioa--The evening session OF
the House was devoted to the consideration of
private bills from the Committee on Invalid
Pensions.
SENATE. Friday, Feb. 12th.-The Indian
Appropriation bill was reported, with amend
ments. from the Committee On Appropriations
The discussion Of the Currency bill was resum-
ed, and Mr.. Morton delivered long argument
against the bill, to which Mr.. Williams replied.
Pending the discussion of the bill the Senate
took a recess until seven 0 clock z. M.
Ecentug Session. The River and Harbor
Appropriation bill was taken up, and several
amendments were adapted. Without finally
acting on the bill the Senate, at 1880 ?. N
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Considera-
ole discussion took place upon the bill reported
from the Committee on Invalid Pensions to in
crease the compensation Of the clerk of that
committee. The bill was finally referred to the
Committee Gu Accounts, Mr.. Archer, OF Mary
land. reported a bill to pay Charles W. Whit
ney five thousand dollars in full for bis claim for
charging the United States steamer Keokuk.
1t was referred to the Committee of the Whole
On the private calendar. A bill was passed to
compensate the officers and crew Of the United
States steamer kearsarge for the destruction
Oft the Confederate vessel Alabama. Mr.. Bout
we'll, OF Massachusetts,, from the COMMITTEE OF
Reconstruction, reported bill tor provisional
government for the State of Mississippi. 1t
was ordered to be printed and recommitted.-
The House resumed the consideration of the
resolutions Of censure offered by Mr.. Butler on
Wednesday last. After long discussion the
whole subject was laid on the table by Q vote Of
100 to SIS. A motion to reconsider the vote
was made and laid on the table The Air Line
RAILROAD bill was taken up and passed-yeas
l02, pays 81. The House soon after took a re
cess until 80 o'clock 2 NJ.
Eeeaing Session. The Tax bill was taken up
IN Committee of the Whole and number of
amendments were made. Pending Its conslde-
ration the House adjourned.