Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-12-22
DOINGS OF CONGRESS.


Congress has taken hold of the work
before it il good earnest. Already
several important measures have passed
the body, and others of much interest
to the welfare of the nation, are under
consideration. Among the bills which
have received the sanction of the house
is the Census bill This bill, as passed
by the house, requires the collection of
statistics concerning express, life, fire
and marine insurance, and concerning
bankers and brokers, IN connection
with the usual statistics to be obtained
relative to our population.
The measure has not, as yet, passed
the Senate, and what the fate of it will
be there we cannot surmise. The re-
construction bill is the only one Of i'm
portance that has been passed in the
Senate. The bill prohibits any polis-
ical distinction on account of race or
color. 1t also provides that all per-
sons who aided in the rebellion are to
be excluded from seats in the Legisla
ture of Georgia, except these who
were forced into the service of the re,
bellion by actual physical force This
bill conforms substantially to the sug-
gestions of the President. It is now
before the house for confirmation
The franking privilege-that much
abused privilege-has been shown some
attention by both houses.
Several propositions relating to this
abuse have been brought before the
Senate. One introduced by Senator
Conkling is for complete wiping out
Of this law. Another introduced by
Senator Ramsey provides for the fur
nishing of postage stamps and stamped
envelopes for official correspondence
and public matter. The Post Office
Committee have these matters before
them.
senator Carpenter of our State has
introduced bill providing for the
resignation of any Judge of the Su-
preme Court on full pay whenever it
shall be made to appear to the satisfac-
ton Of the Presid ent that from disease,
or accident, contracted Or suffered sub
sequent to his appointment and confr-
nation, he has become totally and per-
manently incapable of performing the
duties Of his office.
Several bills have been introduced re.
lative to our finances, one by Senator
Corbett calling for one billion of new
bonds to run thirty-fve years, and bear
6 per cent interest, The most impor-
tant suggestion as to Revenue matters
comes from the Ways and Means Com
m;ttee of the House, asking to be in
structed to inquire into the expediency
of aholishing the Offices of collectors,
assessors and other agents of the Inter
nal Revenue Department. Cuban az
fairs has received considerable attention
Senator Carpenter is the Champion
of the Cuban cause. He introduced
q resolution to the effect that the gun
boats now building in this, country for
Spain should be detained, and On W ed
nesday he supported his resolution in
a set speech. He was discounted by
Sumner, and the resolution still hangs
fire. Several other matters connected
with oar foreign relations have been
under consideration, and it would be
impossible In short article to speak
of all the important work that Congress
has laid out before it. The country
will be gratifed to see that Congress
has commenced business with so much
alacrity and singleness of purpose.