Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-23
CONGRESSIONAL.

SENATE. Saturday, Feb. 13th.-The Gre
dentlals OF Senators Fenton and Stockton were
presented. Mr.. Pomeroy offered a new para-
mentary rule, determining the time debate shall
close on any proposition before the Senate. Mr..
Steward introduced bill to establish an uni
form rule Of naturalization. A substitute nat
urallZation bill was introduced, making lmpoT-
tant changes IN the present law on that SUBJECT
A resolution was adopted calling for information
in regard to conveying the mails between New
York and Bremen. An attempt was unsuccess-
fully made by Mr.. Sumner to consider the JOINT
resolution granting pension to Mrs. Lincoln
A resolution was adopted to inquire into the eX-
pediency OF having every State IN the Union
represented by at least one person In the Agn
cultural Department. Mr. Sherman made an
unsuccessful effort to have the curreicy blll
brought up, but the River and Harbor bill was
taken up instead and debated at length, amend
ments made to 1t and recomlnltted 10 tue Com
mlttee on Commerce. During the discussion
of the bill message was received from the
President returning with his objections the bill
transferring the duties OF trustees OF colored
schools OF Washington and Georgetown. The
Senate then adjourned
HOUSE. Several bills Of private nature
were considered and passed, one Of which was
to pay the late United States Consul at Mata-
moras, Mexico, $ll,S in gold, expended by
him during the rebellion IN aiding Union men
to escape from Texas. A report on the Wells
Fargo mail contract was read from the Com
mittee on Public Expenditures. 1t exonerates
the Postofice Department from blame, as well
as Wells Fargo 4 Go. A bill was passed regu-
lating the reports of the National banking asso
Citations. Also one prohibiting National Banks
from certifying checks under certain conditions.
A bill was passed to prevent National Banks
loaning money with United States or National
Bank notes as collateral security. Mr.. Hooper
bill to prohibit the further increase Of the pubs
he debt was called up and passed with an addi-
tional section, specifying that after he passage
of the act ali sales OF gold on account of the
United States shall be made at public auction
instead of as at present The Senate bill sup
Elementary to the Misunderstanding bill was
reported back with various amendments After
some discussion the bill was ordered to be print
ed. An evening session of the House was held,
which was devoted to general discussion.
SENATE Monday, Feb l5th.-'Fhe com.
mittee to notify the President and Vice Presi
dent elect Of their election submitted their re-
sponses accepting the offices. A bill was intro
duced Supplementary to the act to authorize
lateral branch of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad to enter WashlL gton city, The Joint
| Committee on Ordnance reported a bill to con-
solidate the ordnance and artillery departments.
| The bill to lay the officers of internal revenue
| in the South who cannot take the oath was de
| bated at length and postponed. The Indian
| Appropriation bill was taken up, and after a
| short discussion was laid over informally
! Without transactlng any additional business of
! importance, the Senate took recess until 7 P.
NJ
Ecening Session The evening session of the
Senate was devoted to the consideration Of bills
relating to the District of Columbia.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, number
| of bills and resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred to the different committees. A resolu
ton was offered for the release of Florence Scans
NELL the recusant witness in the New York
contested election case, and was laid on the ia
| BILE. The House refused to concur in the SEN
| ate amendments to the amendment to the Con
| stitutlon providing for universal suffrage, and
1t was referred to a committee of conference. -
A bill was passed to allow the Northern Pacific
Railroad to issue bonds and borrow money for
the construction of the road from Lake Superb
or Puget Sound. The committee appoini ed
to wait on Gen. Grant and Mr.. Colfax and in~
form them Of their election respectively to the
Offices of President and Vice President, repor.
ted that they had performed their duty and
presented the replies sent to the House. A
bill was reported from the Committee on Re-
construction providing for the relief of a num-
Der OF persons from political disabilities. The
names Of J. w, Wright Sheriff Of Richmond,
Virginia, and Mr. Corcoran, of Washington
city, were objected to and considerable discus
sion took place. Without taking any action on
the bill, the House took recess until 80 z.
H.
Ecening Session The House in Committee
of The Whole resumed consideration of the Tax
bill. and number of amendments were adop
ted. The consideration of the sections relating
to whskey was concluded Pending the con
sideratioa of the tax Gu tobacco the House ad
iourned.