Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-26

The Judiciary Committee of the Senate have
as yet done nothing in reference to Virginia,
and the Radicals from Richmond and other
parts OF the State are stirring to prevent any
action.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE. Monday, Jan. 1Sth.-A memori-
al was presented of leading merchants through.
out the country, asking that all sales of Gov
eminent bonds and gold be made only after the
advertisement of the same, at public auction
A bill was passed relating to the taking of testi-
mony in contested election cases. The Com
mittec on Commerce reported bill authorizing
the New York and Newfoundland Telegraph
Company to lay their cable on the shores of the
United States. The Copper Tariff bill was
then taken up, and long discussion ensued,
but 10 action of importance was taken. A bill
was introduced prohibiting railroads from pay
ing, taxes levied by any State upon passengers
and Furnishing State officers attempting to col
lect such taxes 1t was ordered to be printed
and laid on the table. the Senate then ad
journed. a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. "A number
OF bills and resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred to the different committees Among
them was bill introduced by Mr.. Stone, Of
Maryland, tor certain post routes I'M Maryland.
The House adopted resolution by vote Of
81 to 81, declaring that in the present condition
of the national finances no further subsidies of
money or bonds should be granted to railroad
companies or other private corporations. The
Committee on Public Expenditures was order
ed to investigate the mail contract Of Wells,
Fargo & Go. Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts, in
PRODUCED resolution calling upon tho Comp
troler of the Currency for information whether
any, and what banks have been allowed to ex-
change the gold bearing interest bonds of the
United States for the per cent OF the Pacific
Railroad also, whether any banks have rein-
pushed their charters, under the national bank
ing system, and are doing business under State
charters, still retaining their national bank cir
culation, with the amount Of such circulation
outstanding. After considerable discussion, the
resolution was adopted. The Reconstruction
Committee reported the Senate resolution re-
specting the Provisional Governments Of Vir-
ginia and Texas. with an amendment The
resolution was adopted. Mr.. Boutwell,, Of
Massachusetts,, gave notice that he would call
up the resolution providing for an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States rela-
tive to suffrage on Saturday, and would ask for
vote on Tuesday following. The Indian Ap.
preparation bill was reported from the Commit
mittee Of the e Whole: The House, in Commit
tee OF the Whole, took Up the Legislative, Ex-
ecutive and Judicial Appropriation bill, but
without taking any action of importance on it,
the Committee rose, and the House soon after
adjourned
sEY4rE-Tpesday, Jan. l9th.-A number
OF unimportaht bills, resolutions and memorials
were presented and disposed Of: Among them
was the petition of certain citizens of Maryland
asking woman suffrage. The Copper Tariff bill
was taken up and several amendments made
-. - W. ll,y hxyo If
yeas SO to nays H. The Senate then went into
executive session, and at its close adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, A resolution
was adopted to print twenty thousand copies Of
the report of Commissioner Wells On the fnan
ces. The bill to preserve the purity of cleo
tons in the Territories was taken up aud pass
ed A bill was passed amending the habeas
corpus act, and regulating judicial proceedings
in certain cases The House concurred in the
Senate amendment to the bill for taking test
mony In contested eIslF.Ql cases. 4he bill
granting Government lands to the Denver and
Pacific Railroad was taken up. Pending its
discussion the House adjourned.
SENATE ednesday, JAN 20th.-A bill
was introduced to reorganlze the grade of gen
eral officers in the army. Also, bill for the
reduction Of the military forces snd for other
purposes Mr.. Sherman's Air Line Railway
bill was taken up, and Mr.. Whyte delivered a
speech opposing the measure. The senate
soon after went into executive session, and at
its close adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, A long dis
cussion took place in relation to restricting the
ranking prigilega, and g bill vas finally pass
ed declaring it unlawful for any officer Of Gov
eminent, member Of Congress. or other person
entitled by law to ranking privilege to exercise
said privilege otherwise that by his or her writ
ten autograph signature upon the matter frank
ed 4 bill was passed removing the political
disabilities from 9 nulabar Of citizens Of .Lgln
la and other Southern States. A special Cons
mittee of seven was authorized to be appointed
to make arrangements for taking the ninth cep-
sus as prescribed BY the Committee. The Den
yer and Pacific Railroad bill was then taken
up. Pending its discussion the House adjoun-
ed. : " .
SENATE Thursday, Jan. 2lst.-A number
of bills and memorials we're introduced and dis
posed Of temporarily. The Finance Committee
reported 3 substitute for the bill amepding>the
National Currency act. The bill prohibiting
State taxes on railroad passengers was taken
up. and Mr.. Morton made speech opposing the
BILL, and denouncing the laEs existing in Nlary
land and New Jersey as unconstitutional. The
discussion of the Airline Railway bill was re
sumed, and Mr.. Vickers delivered an argument
II.
providing that the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad may be accepted as the part OF the
road contemplated by the act, to 5 eW Z ork, be-
tween Washington and Baltimore. The sec
tons of the bill providing for railroads to Cleve-
land and Cinoianati were stricken out, leaving
only the charter Of a railroad to New York =
| Several other amendments were proposed. but
without taking vote the Senate adjourned
| House OF REPRESENTATIVES. A bill was
passed providing for the appointment of mid
shipmen in the Naval Academy from the
| Southern Safes 1t provides that the members
| Of the present Congress may make nominations
| for their respective States prior to May 1869, In
cases where Congressional elections do not take
place until later than that period. Messrs.
Garfield, Banks. Allison, Latin, Heaton, AK
| tell and Golladay were appointed to constitute
| the committee to make arrangements Tor taking
! the next census. The contested election case Of
| Switzer vs.. Anderson, from the Sixth Nilsson
cussion vote was taken, and Mr.. Anderson,
the sitting member, was declared to be emit
| tied to the seat. The House adjourned,
| SENATE.-Friday, Jan. 22nd.-The creden
| tials of James A. Bayard and Thomas Z. Bay
ard, elected as Senators, respectively, from the
State Of Delaware, for the terms ending March
| 4, 1869, and Mach 4, 1875, were presented
A number Of memorials asking female suffrage
were presented and referred to committees. -
Mr.. Freinghuysen made speech in answer to
Mr.. Morton's attack on the States Of New Jer-
sey and Maryland for imposing tax on rails
road passengers. Mr.. Morton replied, repeat
ing his assertions. The Air. Line Railroad bill
was taken up and several speeches were made.
The bill was then laid aside. The Senate con.
Cured in the report of the committee ofconfer
a. -