Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-28
xLIst CoNGREss-sECOND SESSION

| MONDAY l7th-In the Senate various
/ petitions and memorials relative TO such a
modification of the revenue laws as shall re-
! lieve manned and disabled soldiers for the
abolition Of the franking privilege, for the
removal Of political disabilities, and for
pensions to soldiers of the war of 1912, were
read and referred. The bill prohibiting the
assignment Of officers on hall. pay to duty
ontitling them to full pay passed. The
Virginia bill came up, and motion to table
the Senate bill and take up the House bill
was earnestly discussed, and finally pre-
vailed
In the House, bills were introduced as
follows: To amend the steamboat passenger
act; TO repeal the tonnage tax on American
vessels, for the adjournment Of Congress on
the 18th of April; for the taking of oaths in
reconstructed States; for the disposition of
the public lands in certain States; making
grant OF lands for a railroad from the Texas
line to a point near Vicksburg; to pay a
years salary as Associate Justice of theSu-
preme Court to the widow Of Mr.. Stanton; to
declare void all acts of legislative, and other
State officers, disabled under the third sec
ton Of the fourteenth amendment; to per-
nit manuscript and corrected proofs to pass
between authors, or correspondents of news
papers, and publishers, at rates of printed
matter; to establish postal telegraph sys-
TEN; and to regulate certain salaries.
TUESDAY lSth.-In the Senate, various
petitions were presented and referred The
Vice President appointed Mr.. Hamlin a re-
gent of the Smithsonian Institute, vice
Fessenden, deceased. TIE Virginia bill
was taken up and discussed at length, by
Senator'S Thayer, Nye, Stewart and Morton.
During the speech Of the latter, a motion to
adjourn prevailed.
In the House, the transfer of the Navy
! ard to League Island was considered.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts, opposing the
bill, and several bills were introduced, among
which was one to reduce the number of
commissioned officers in the army.
WEDNESDAY 18th. In the Senate, vari-
Gus petitions and memorials relating to the
Military Academy, and to the abolition Of
the franking privilege, we're presented.
Bills were introduced granting lands to va
ri0us railroad enterprises, and referred. The
Virginia bill was then discussed at length.
ln the House, resolutions relating to Off
GERS OF the army acting in the Georgia Leg
lslature as committee on Elections, to in
valid pensions, and to harbor improvements,
were adopted. A resolution to adjourn Un
the second Tuesday in April was rejected.
Bills we're introduced to amend the bank
rupt law, to provide for the Niagara Ship
Canal, and for the relief of certain officers
and enlisted men. The League Island bill
was taken up and considered. A Joint reso-
luton relative to the income tax was sub
mitted
THURSDAY 20th.-Iu the Senate, Mr.
Anthony presented a communication from
the Governor of Rhode Island presenting to
Congress a marble statue of General Nathan
iel Greene and a joint resolution, offered
by Mr.. Summer, thanking the Governor,
and assigning the statue place in the Old
Hall, was passed. A number of bills were
introduced. Memorials for the abolition of
the frauking privilege were presented. The
Virginia question was discussed. several
amendments being offered to the Bingham
bill. -Four clock to-morrowwas finally
fixed upon for taking the main question on
this important subject
In the House, Mr. Bingham asked leave
to offer bill making it an offence punisha-
bic with fine and imprisonment for any per-
son to propose the repeal OF the action Of
State Legislature in n-ratifying any proposed
amendment to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States which was objected off by Mr.
Eldridge. Mr. Loughridge and Mr.. Wood
offered resolutions respecting the treaty
ratifying power of the Senate. Mr.. Kelley
made an important personal explanation.
A memorial from Utah for admission as a
State was presented. The League Island
question was further discussed.
Jan, 81, ls70.-sENATE. Memorials of
army officers for an increased pay and
memorial in favor OF the Sixteenth
Amendment to the Constitution, giving
women the right to vote we're presented.
Also petitions for the abolition of the frank
ing privilege.
The Virginia bill was then taken up and