Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-03-03

merce. Two moro land grant bills were introduc
cd, one allowing companies In Minnesota 10 connec
their roads with tho Pacific road and secure simi
lap grants, "A joint resolution proposing an amend
mont TO the constitution, 90 artiCle II. endowinG
Congress with the power 10 establish tribunal 4
determine all questions which may arise az TO the
validity Of the electoral votes for President AND
Vice President was presented,-Adjoumed.
HOUSE. Several private bills were
passed. -Broomall, from the Committee on Public
Expenditures, made report In tho cape Of Wells,
Fargo Co.'s contract for carrying mails between
the termin of the Pacific Railroad. II relieves the
Postofhce Department OF all blame, and represents
that the difficulty originated In an act OF Congress
which threw about 400 u oent.more mail matter on
the route in question than the bids had been made
for, and that the Postmaster General did tho best
ho could under the circumstances.--A bill was
passed regulating the reports Of national banking
associations. 1t requires every euch association
the first Monday In each month, to mako ont a
sworn report Of Its liabilities and resources and
transmit the same ID the Controller of the Cur
rency within Ave days thereafter-these reports TO
be in lieu Of the quarterly reports now required.
II also provides for half yearly reports en- the hrst
Monday Of January and July, which are to be pub
lished at the expense Of the association. Any fail
ure to comply with these requirements subjects
the association to o penalty Of S100.--A bill was
passed TO prevent the national banks loaning money
on United States notes or national notes as collat-
eral security. The object OF the bill Ia to prevent
loaning Of money and thus making corner in the
money market,-A bill was passed to prohibit the
further increase Of the public debt. One Of its
chief features s the prohibiting OF the sale Of gold
by the United States except at public auction, Of
which due notice shall have heen given by adver-
isement.-Some time was spent In discussing the
bill supplementary 10 the national currency act,
but no action was takon,-The evening session was
spent in general debate Adjourned
SENATE, Feb. 15th.-Senator Morton pre-
sonted the formal cceptances Of the President and
Vice-President elect Of their respective ofiices-
Some time was spent In dscussing the bill to au.
southern states by the Secretary OF the Treasury,
and who could not take the test oath, but no vote
was taken. The Indian appropriation bill was ta-
ken up and read. The numerous amendments re.
ported by the committee were agreed TO, and also
an amendment reported by Ramsey extending tho
appropriation tor the Indian war Of 1852 in Mime
sofa to expenditures for the same purpose In 1863
II then went over.-Several private bills were
passed. also the bill to regulate Judiciary proceed
ings and concerning divorces in the District OF
Columbia. Adjourned.
HOUSE. Several important bills were
introduced and referred. "A Joint resolution was
adopted giving the consent Of Congoaa TO the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company toissue bonds,
and secure the same by mortgage on its railroad
and telegraph line for the purpose Of raising funds
with which to construct line between Lake Sri.
perior and Puget Sound, and also branch to q
point at or near Portland Oregon.--Juians Joint
resolution to prevent the further sale Of public
lands, except as provided for In the preempon and
homestead laws, came up, the question being on
seconding the previous question. 1t was
not seconded, and the resolution was re.
ferred to the Committee on Public Lands
The House took up the Senates amendments to the
constitutional amendment on Suffrage and refused
to concur In them by vote of yeas 81 nays 1872,
and asked a committee Of conference e.-The COM
mittee on the part Of the House to notify the Presi
dent and Vice President elect of their election re.
ported that the duty assigned had been performed;
and presented the messages OF acceptance. The
evening session was spent In considering, In Com
mittee Of the Whole, the internal revenue bill
Amendments were adopted extending the time for
tho withdrawal of spirits from bonded warehouses
from the Goth Of April, 1862 to the Goth of April,
1870, and requiring whisky kept In bond after the
Doth OF April, 1869. to pay one cent monthly per
gallon. Adjourned,
SENATE, Feb. 16th.--Bills were passed to
aid the construction of the Green Bay and Michi-
gan railroad to establish an assay office in Idaho;
and large number Of pension bills.-The House
bills removing political disabilities from great
number of persons and allowing the Midland Rail.
road Company the right Of way through the grounds
of Fort Ontario at 0swego were concurred In. -
Considerable discussion was had upon the resolu-
ton granting Mrs. Lincoln a pension, but no vote
was taken-An effort was made to get up the House
bill repeating the tenure Of office law but II failed
Adjourned
HoUsE-A bill was passed for the loan
ing of money on bonds; also a bill relieving large
number of persons from political disabilities
bill was introduced providing for the publication
of the Congressional record after the 4h of March
next. Some time was spent in discussing the bill
supplementary to the national currency act, which
provides for q redistribution OF the currency but
no vote was taken.-The tax bill was again consid-
cred, anda large number OF amendments, chiefly
verbal, adopted. An amendment taxing the inter
est on United States bonds ten per cent was reject
cd, only eight members voting for II. The bill
then passed. Two private bills passed. Adjourned