Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1869-01-21
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

Pet1t1onS favorIng woman suffrage were
referred to the Judiciary committee.
Remonstrances against the proposed
amendment of the bankrupt law were also
referred to the Judiciary committee.
Mr.. ROBERTSON introduced bill to
extend the jurisdiction of the Court of
Claims of loyal citizens against the United
States for appropriation or destruction of
their property by the army engaged in the
suppression of the rebellion. Referred to
the committee on Judiciary.
Mr.. WILSON introduced bill to pro-
vide for reduction of the military forces
OF the United States, and for other purpo-
ses. Referred to committee on Military
Affairs. 1t provides for the mastering out
of some officers of minor grades, for the
enlistment OF soldiers for five years, for the
abolition of drills and parades and other
unnecessary work on the Sabbath, and
gives privates the benefit of the provision
as to time OF trial which now applies to
officers.
Mr. WILSON also introduced bill,
which had the same reference, to reorgan-
ize general officers in the army. 1t retains
the General, at the same pay, provides for
a Lieutenant General at reduced pay, abol-
ishes the grade of Brigadier, except where
held by chiefs of staffs or staff DEPART
ments and the chief of staff of the General
of the army, and provides that brigades
shall be commanded by Colonels selected
for merit. ~
After discussion as to the order of busi-
ness the Senate refused 80 nays against %
yeas, to take up the Edmund's resolution
relative to the public debt, and by 26 yeas to
25 nays took up Mr.. Sherman's air line
railroad bill. rJ, -.--r 90
Mr.. WHITE spoke at length in opposi-
ton. 11l
Mr.. PoMEROY moved an executive ses-
sion.
! Messrs. SUMNER and SHERMAN op-
posed the motion.
The yeas and nays were ordered and the
motion carried. -
The Senate, at 8 O'Clock. went into ex-
ecutive session, and at 4:40 adjourned.
HOUSE. 80
Mr.. SCHENCK introduced a bill to
strens then the public credit, and relating
to contracts for payment of coin. Referred
to committee ON WAYS and Means.
= Mr.. FARNSWORTH, chairman of the
Postoffice committee, reported a bill to re-
strict and regulate the franking privilege,
as follows: --t
Be it enacted, That it shall not be lawful
for any officer OF the Government, member
of Congress, or other person entitled by
law to the tranking privilege to exercise
said privilege otherwise than by his or her
written autograph signature. upon the
matter franked, and all letters or other
mail matter not thus franked by the writ
ten signature of a person entitled by law
to exercise such privilege, shall be charged
with the rates of postage which are now
or may be established by law. 80
SIC. 2. And be it further enacted. That
! from and after the first day of April next
no officer of the Government, member of
/ Congress or other person entitled by law to
/ the ranking privilege, shall by reason OF
such privilege be entitled to receive
III. ri ,oslc ,ol for
{ to such officer, member of Congress or 9TH
( Mr.. JOHNSON moved to lay the bill on
thestable. Negatived.
: Mr.. FERRY moved to. strike out the
/ second section. Agreed to.
The bill, containing the first section was
then passed without division.
Mr.. JULIAN offered a resolution in
structing the committee on Barking to in
quire into the expediency OF providing by
law that existing contracts and those that
may hereafter be made be adjusted and
paid in gold on the basis of the relative
balance of gold and United States notes.
Mr.. SCHENCK gave notice in reference
to the bill introduced by him to-day to
strengthen the public credit thatin week
or two hence, when the business of the
House would admit he expected to be au-
thorized by the committee on Ways and
Means to report it back and submit some
remarks in support of it. .saa
MIR. GARFIELD offered a resolution for
select committee OF seven to inquire and
report as to what legislation is necessary
to provide for taking the ninth cencus.
Adopted. lara
The House resumed consideration of
the Senate bill granting land and right OF
way to the Denver City Railway and Tele-
graph Company.
MIR. LOGAN offered substitute for the
bill, proposing to authorize the Company
to connect its road with the Union Pacific
railroad, at or near Cheyenne, and to issue
coupon bonds to the extent of - dollars
per mile, to be guaranteed by the United
States. tr-oa .s.a
Mr.. COVODE addressed. the House in
advocacy and explanation of the bill.
Mr.. KELLY followed on the same side
and ,..,.
Mr.vAN TRUMP in opposition to the
bill. s-,.l--s5 f.