Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL


SENATE Saturday, Feb 27th-A concur
rent resolution was offered requesting the Pres
ident of the United States to transmit forth
with to each of the Executives of the several
States copy of the Constitutional Amend
ment. so as to secure its early ratification, but
Mr. Davis objected, and the resolution went
over The House bill to strengthen the public
credit was taken up. A long discussion ensued.
Without acting on the bill, the Senate took a
recess until o clock 2. NJ.
Erenano Session.-At the evening session
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill for the more equal
distribution of national banking capital. A res
olution authorizing the President to recognize
the independence of Cuba, when in his opinion,
proper, was introduced by Mr.. Sherman and
referred to the Committee On Foreign Rela-
tions. The bill to incorporate the Masonic Mu-
tual Rellef Association was passed. The joint
resolution relative to donating cannon for the
Mcpherson monument was passed Mr.
Schenck' Financial bill was then debated at
considerable length. The bill finally passed
with amendments by vote Of 80 to l6.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, s.-Ihe Com
mittee on Reconstruction reported bill in ad
dition to an act entitled an act to relieve from
political disabilities certain persons named there
in, approved July 27, 1868. Mr.. Boutwell, ex~
planned that the bill was simply correction of
some mistakes made in engrossng the act
The bill was passed The House resumed the
consideration Of the Louisiana contested elec
ton case of Jones VS.. Mann, and after consd-
cradle debate it was decided that Mr.. Jones
was not entitled to the seat. The case of Me
nard (negro) against Hunt for the Second Louis
lana district was then taken up, and Menard
addressed the House in support OF his claims.
After long discuSslOn, resolution was passed
declaring that Hunt was not entitled to the seat,
and also resolution declining the admission of
Menard pending the litigation. Resolutions
were adopted allowing Jones, Menard and Hunt
twenty five hundred dollars each for expenses
in the contested cases. The House then took
a recess until 7. 80 P. M.
Ereaiaq Session. Committee on Public
Expenditures presented their report on the
subject of the Alaska matter 1t was ordered
printed A report from the same committee
was made on the Wells, Fargo & Co. contract.
The House went into Committee OF the Whole
on the Senate amendments to the Indian Ap-
preparation bill. A long debate followed, but
no vote was reached A resolution was passed
instructing the Secretary of War to furnish the
Mayor of washington, for the use Of volunteer
military organizations wishing to take part IN
the Inauguration ceremonies, four thousand
muskets, field pieces, equipments, &c The
House adjourned at 10 o'clock +. NJ:
SENATE. 8 Monday, March. lst.-A bill was
passed to authorize imprisonment at hard la
bcr as q punishment in certain cases. The
House bill for the removal Of political disabii
ties was taken I'D and laid aside without action,
after discussion. The Army Appropriation bill
was then taken up. Its discussion was com,
pIeted in Committee Of the Whole and the bill
reported to the House Pending discussion
the Senate took recess until o. clock, L. vi.
Ereniao Session The Army Appropriation
bill was proceeded with. and debate ensued
on Mir. Summers amendment Without reach
ING vote. the Senate, at | 10 p. NJ. adjourn
ed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES "A resolution
was passed directing the Secretary OF War to
appoint board of engineers, not less than five
nor more than seven in number, to examine the
subject of erection of bridges across the Ohio
river, the said hoard to report to the next Con
gress. In the meantime no bridge Is to be
erected across the Ohio river having less span
than 400 feet A resolution was adopted di-
recting the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds to inquire by what authority the Sec
retarv of the Interior had delivered up the
propertv of General Washington and returned
the sane 10 General Lee. The House has res
solved to meet at 10 o'clock A. NJ, in order to
complete the business pending. The Miscella-
neous Anpropriation bill was taken up in Com
Of the Whole. Pending its consideration the
House took recess until 7.30 clock, ?. Nj.
Ereuino ,Session.-A bill relating to the op-
Grafton of the Pension laws was passed. The
Miscellaneous Appropriation bill was taken up
by the House in committee OF the whole, and o
number of amendments were made. Pending
its discussion the House adjourned.