Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-12-28
Summary OF Congressional Proceedings.

SENATE Dec. 12th.-Bils were introduced
to provide q relief fund for employees in the
executive departments of the government
allowing the President whenever, in his iudg.
ment public interest may require, to issue
proclamation Suspendlng, III respect to Mexico
and the British North merican provinces anC
territories, the operation of all laws and regr.
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 anG
property OF crews and passengers on sea-goin2
/ vessels.-Several resolutions were introduced
/ among which was one, by Schlrz, declaring
that 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 a commission to proceed to San Do
mlngo 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
held, when the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-James H. Rainey, the colored mem
Der 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-
prlation bill of the 9TH OF July, 1870, to rela-
tives of deceased officers and soldiers-The
bill for the repeal Of the civil tenure act was
passed, by a vote of ayes 1871, nays 25.-Banks
presented a resolution authorizing the Presi-
dent to appoint a committee, consisting of FIVE
persons, to inquire into the expediency of ne
| 4I11o -
Domingo for it's cquisition-referred.- 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-
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, adjourned.
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 O. railroad from Milwaukee to Lake Su-
perior, 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 III the inter-
est of the Government. A sharp debate en-
sued, at the close of which McCreery's q 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,
after euiogistic remarks by several Senators.
were adopted.--Resoutions calling for infor-
nation in regard to the arrest of one Hoyt and
the censure of Byron Sprague and VIM. H.
Reynolds for trading with the rebels during
the war 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
seribers 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.-Bis were passed
persons, and also amending the 25th section of
the act of the 18th of july 1870, providing
homesteads for officers, soldiers and mariners
/ who sexsea during tlas relelEon.--The consid-
Grafton of the motion to reconsider the vote
whereby the bill extending the time to con-
struct tho railroad from the st. Crolz river or
Lake TO the west end of Lake Superior was
postponed until the second Tuesday in jan
uary.-Some other business of minor import
ance was transacted when the House adjourned
DEN8iE, oSt. l1bii--hSliIOLldl6 NClS lLO-
sented representing that many veterans of the
war of 1912 are now inmates of the poor
houses and objects of charity, and praying for
pensions in their behalf.-The House resolu-
ton for recess over the holidays, from the
22d Of December to January nh, was concur
red ina resolution was adopted ordering an
investigation into the cost of collecting the
customs revenues at the principal sea ports of
the country, and what sums have been received
at the various ports from fines, seizures, DC:
Some time was spent in discussing bill
providing relief for the employees of the ey-
ccutive departmental bill to provide for the
payment of $25, 900 to J. NJ. Bestoff, of Pa
ducah. KY. a Union surgeon, for the destruc-
ton of his dwelling house in 1864, by order of
the Union commander, during the rebel attack
upon the place, was discussed during the re-
mainder of the session without beng disposed
| of After an executive session, adjourned.
! HoUsE.-MorreIl, of Pennsylvania, from the
! Committee on Manufactures, reported bill
! to provide for celebrating the Tooth annlver-
sary of American Independence by holding an
! international exhibition of arts manufactures
! and products of the soil and mines in the city
of Philadelphia, in the year 1876. 1t was dis
cussed at some length, but went over without
! final action.-AIost of the remainder of the
session was occupied in discussing a general
amnesty bill, covering all acts of rebels except
those of the principal officers of the Confed-
eracy, the members OF the Confederate Con-
/
| of secession conventions, and the graduates
of the military and naval academies who joined
the rebellion. The bill went over without
final action. Adjourned.
| SENATE, Dec. 15th.-A bill was passed allow
! ing supernumerary army officers to be detailed
as instructors in eges.-Another bill was
also passed amending the act for reducing the
army by substituting the 1st of July, 1871, in
stead of the 1st of January, as the time for
unstprInO ont officers -Saya-
raj bills were introduced and referred, when
Senator Schurz, Of Missouri, proceeded to ad-
dress the Senate at length in favor of his res
olution, declaring that political disqualified
tons should cease, as the necessity which dc
tated them no longer exists. AT the conclu-
sion of the speech the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-Seyeral bills were introduced and
appropriately referred, after which the House
resumed consideration of the amnesty bill.
Barry, Morgan; Mckenzie, Farnsworth, and
Winans argued in favor of amnesty, Sypher,
| Lawrence, and MAYNARD were opposed to the
bill and opposed to general and unlimited am
nesty. The bill finally went over to Tuesday.
Bills were reported appropriating $50, ,0Oo, O0C
for pensions and amending the internal reve-
nue. bill where it relates to sugars, so that al
grades of sugar will be classed according tc
color. Adjourned.
SENATE, Dec. 16th.-Senator brakes resig-
nation Of his seat was announced, to take
effect on the 10Th inst.-Sumner presented &
memorial from Boston merchants against the
annexation of San Domin8o.-Sherman from
the Finance Committee, reported back adj
versely various bills for the abolition of the
income taxa bill Incorporating the Southern
wa was 5 adopted calling upon the President TO
information in regard to the North Carolin'
troubles.-Schurz's general amnesty resolution
was taken up, and Drake replied at length t.
the speech of Schurz of yesterday. His Goa
Guiding remarks embraced a formal farewell t,
the Senate. Schurz briefly responded, defend
!, ing himself from the charge that he had gon
over to the Democratic party or that he IN
tended to do so.-After an executive session
the Senate adjourned.
HoCsE.-SeVeral bills were introduced, an
J two passed, one bill removing political dlsa
bilities from a number of persons in Tennes
see and the bill relating to the duties on sugar
which was under consideration yesterday. Ac
journed to Monday.