Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-12-29
Summary Of Congressional Proceedings.

Summary Of Congressional Proceedings.
SENATE, Dec. 12th.-Bills were introduced,
to provide a relief fund for employees in the
executive departments of the government
allowing the President whenever, in his jldg-
ment, public interest may require. to issue
proclamation suspending, in respect to Mexico
and the British North American provinces and
territories, the operation of all laws and regu-
lations whereby the right of bonded trans
portation is allowed foreign transportation
companies, also suspending the laws whereby
Canadian vessels are permitted to enter
American waters to aid certain ocean navi-
cation companies; TO protect the lives and
property of crews and passengers on sea-going
vessels.-Several resolutions were introduced,
among which was one, by Schurz declaring
that a due regard for the fundamental princi-
pies of the government as well as sound
craftsmanship, demand the removal of the
disabilities imposed upon the late rebels; and
another by Morton, providing for the appoint
ment of commission to proceed to San Do
mingo and report upon the condition and re-
sources of the island and the wishes of the
people with respect to the United States.-
Some routine business was performed, after
which an executive session of an hour was
Aeld, when the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-James II. Rainey. the colored men,
ber from South Carolina. was sworn in.-Near-
ly twenty bills were introduced, among which
the more important were these: To repeal the
income tax: to establish ocean steamship COM
panies between the United States and Europe;
to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
Increase the compensation of assistant mar
shals for taking the census; to extend the pro-
visions of the 25th section of the army appro-
priation bill of the 5th of July. 1870. to rela-
tives of deceased officers and soldiers.-The
bill for the repeal of the civil tenure act was
passed, by vote of ayes 157, nays 25.-Banks
presented resolution authorizing the Presi-
dent to appoint committee, consisting of five
persons, to inquire into the exPediency of ne
gotiating treaty with the authorities of San
Domingo for its cquisition-referred-A joint
resolution was adopted for an adjournment
from December 22d to January 4th.-After a
bitter discussion the bill abolishing the Office
of Admiral and Vice Admiral of the navy was
passed.-A resolution, offered by Kelly, de-
claring that the system of internal revenue
should be abolished as soon as the revenues of
the government can be otherwise provided for
was adopted by 164 to 6.-After some further
business of minor Importance the House ad-
joufned.
SENATE, Dec 13th.-Among the bills intro
duced was one by Carpenter, granting lands to
the State of Wisconsin to aid in the construc-
ton of railroad from Milwaukee to Lake
Superior, via Green Bay, Wisconsin.-McCreery
asked leave to introduce resolution proposing
an investigation with the view to the restora-
ton of the Arlington estate to the widow of
Gen. r. E. Lee, the removal of the grave
yard ON the premises, and general restitution
for any encumbrance placed there in the inter
est of the Government. A sharp debate en-
sued, at the close of which McCreery's request
for leave to introduce the resolution was re-
fused yeas 4, nays 54.-The House resolutions
of respect for the memory of Hon. Robert
Ridgeway, late Representative from Virginia,
aft tar hr AT
we're adopted. Resolutions calling for infor-
nation in regard to the arrest of one Hoyt
and the censure of Byron Sprague and VIM. III.
Reynolds for trading with the rebels during the
war were offered by Sprague and adopted.
Adjourned.
HoUsE.-The consideration of the bill to
consolidate the postal laws was resumed, the
question being on the amendment offered to
repeal the franking privilege, which, after be-
ing so modified as to permit weekly and semi
weekly papers to be sent free TO actual sub
scribers within the counties where published
and the free exchange of papers and maga-
zines between publishers of the same, was
adopted and the bill passed.-Bills were passed
removing political disabilities from severa
persons, and also amending the 25th section oi
the act of tho 18th of July, 1870 providing
homesteads for officers, soldiers and marineri
who served during the rebellion.-The consid-
Grafton of the motion to reconsider the vote
whereby the bill extending the time to con
struct the railroad from the st. Croix river Of
lake to the west end of Lake Superior wal
postponed until the second Tuesday in Jan
uary.-Some other business of minor import
ance was transacted, when the House ad
| journed-
| SENATE, Dec. 14th.-Memorials were pre-
sented representing that many veterans of tn,
war of 1912 are now inmates of the poor
houses and objects of charity, and praying TO
pensions in their behalf.-The House resolu
/ ton for a recess over the holidays, from tn,
22d of December to January 4th, was con
CURED in.-A resolution was adopted orderins
an investigation into the cost of collecting tn,
customs revenues at the principal sea ports o
the country, and what sums have been receives
at the various ports from fines seizures dc
Some time was spent in discussing bl
providing relief for the employees of the ex
| ecutive Departmental bill to provide for tn
payment of $25,00O to j. M. Bestoff, of Pa
ducah, KY, a Union surgeon, for the destrue
ton of his dwelling house in 1864, by order o
the Union commander, during the rebel attacl
upon the place, was discussed during<t the re
mainder of the session without being disposet
of.-After an executive session, the Senate ad
journed.
HoUsE.-Morrell, of Pennsylvania, from tn
Committee on Manufactures, reported a bi
to provide for celebrating the Tooth anniver
sary of American Independence by holding a
international exhibition of arts, manufacture
and products of the soil and mines, in the cit
of Philadelphia in the year 1876. 1t was dis
cussed at some length, but went over witheu
final action.-Most of the remainder of tn
session was occupied in discussing a geners
amnesty bill, covering all acts of rebels excer
those of the principal officers of the Confed
eracy, the members of the Confederate Con
gress. governors of seeded states, member
of secession conventions, and the graduate
of the military and naval academies who joine
the rebellion. The bill went over without fin;
action. Adjourned.
SENATE, Dec. 15th.-A bill was passed a
lowing supernumerary army officers to be do
tailed as instructors in colleges.-Another bi
was also passed amending the act for reducin
the army by substituting the LIST of July, 1S7l
instead of the LIST January, as the time fC
mastering out supernumerary officers-Sever,
bills were introduced and referred, when Ser
ator Schurz, of Missouri, proceeded to az
dress the Senate at length in favor of his rel
olution, declaring that political disqualiffc'
tions should cease, as the necessity which di
tated them no longer exists. At the conclI
: sion of the speech the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-Several bills were introduced an
appropriately referred, after which the Houf
resumed consideration of the amnesty bil
Barry, Morgan, Mckenzie, Farnsworth, ar
Winans argued in favor of amnesty, Syphe
: Lawrence, and Maynard were opposed to Il
bill and opposed to general and unlimited an
, nesty. The bill finally went over to Tuesda
. Bills were reported appropriating $50, ,000, ,e'
for pensions and amending the internal rev
nue. bill where it relates to sugars, so that q
} grades of sugar will be classed according
color. Adjourned
SENATE, Dec. 16.-Senator brakes resign
ton of his seat was announced, to take effe
on the 10th inst.-Sumner presented a mem
7 rial from Boston merchants against the a
nexation of San Domingo. Sherman, fro
the Finance Committee, reported back a
, versely various bills for the abolition of Il
: income tax.-A bill incorporating the Southol
; Express Company, was passed.-A resolutis
/ was adopted calling upon the President f
: information in regard to the North Carolil
r troubles. -Schurz's general amnesty resol
. ton was taken up, and Drake replied at leng
to the speech of Schurz of yesterday. b
3 concluding remarks embraced formal far
well to the Senate. Schurz briefly responde
q defending himself from the charge that he h
\ gone over to the Democratic party, or that
intended to do so.-After an executive sessi,
: the Senate adjourned.
e HoUsE.-Several bills were introduced, al
two passed, one bill removing political dis
: bilities from number of persons in Tenns
a see, and the bill relating to the duties on 8
gar, which was under consideration yesterds
!, Adjourned to Monday.
:, SENATE, Dec. ia resolution report
IRON, tho priufiup Commiffaa r,asse6 :