The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-22
Washington.

Both houses of Congress. on Friday last,
were chiefly occupied with the Virginia
question, the Senate holding a night ses-
sion. After spirited debate, in which
Messrs. Fitch, of Nevada: Logan, Bing-
ham, Cox, and Farnsworth made able
speeches for the unconditional admission
of Virginia. Mr.. Whittemore's amend-
ment was first adopted. Mr. Bingham's
resolution, declaring Virginia entitled to
representation, was then substituted for
the committees bill by a vote of 9S to %.
and was passed by majority of nearly 100.
In the Senate Mr.. Wilson's and Mr..
Drak's amendments were rejected, and
that of Mr.. Edmunds as modified by Mr..
Wiley, was passed. Many speeches were
made, among others, by Senators Conkling,
Williams, Schurz, and Carpenter, in favor
of the unconditional admission of Virginia
The Congressional Temperance Society
met on Sunday at the Metropolitan Metho-
dist Church. The building was densely
crowded with ladies and gentlemen. After
singing by the choir and a prayer by the
Rev. DR.. Newman, Senator Wilson. presi-
dent of the society, read the following
recommendation:
Believing that the habitual use of intox-
icating liquors as beverage causes poverty,
suffering, and crime; that there is safety
alone in total abstinence, and that the
personal pledge and cooperative efforts
tend to secure and maintain such abstinence
the Congressional Temperance Society
suggests and recommends to ministers
and churches to all Temperance organ
izations, and to the many philanthropic
and patriotic persons throughout the
land to hold Simultaneous meeting in
their several towns, townships, and city
wards, on the 22d of February next, the
birth day of Washington, and unite in the
organization Of union temperance societies
based on the simple pledge of total absti-
nence from all that intoxicates, and to
adopt practicable measures to have such
pledge presented to every man, woman,
and child over ten years Of age. There
are millions Of members of Christian
churches, millions of children in the Sab
bath and public schools, and millions of
others who, it is believed, might be per-
suaded to pledge their faith, truth, and
honor wholly to abstain from the use of
Intoxicating drinks, and the society be-
| lieves, if a concerted, vigorous, and per-
sistent effort were made, that one fourth.
if not ene-third of the nation, would with
few months be thus pledged and enrolled
Senators Pomeroy, of Kansas, Wiley.
of West Virginia, and other Congressman,
and Vice President Colfax addressed the
meeting. Senator Wilson said it was pro-
posed to hold meetings every two weeks
during the session of Congress.
On Monday, Mr.. Sumner reported bill
preserving to this Government equal rights
in all Geographic cables landed within its
jurisdiction, and prohibiting companies
from consolidating or combining to fix their
tariffs without the consent of the Post
master General.
In tho House Of Representatives Mr..
Butler, of Tennessee, offered resolution
declaring all acts, except judicial, which
have been done by any Legislature disqual-
qualified under the Fourteenth Amend
ment, as null and void
/ Among the bills introduced in the Senate,
Oh Tuesday, was one regulating the APP
prasment and inspection of imports: one
| increasing the efficiency of the army
| Debate Oh the revenue seizures of spirits
| in California was cut short by the expira-
| ton of the morning hour and the taking
/ up Of the Virginia, bill, which was dis
! cussed until 4.30 p. NJ, when the Senate
adjourned
t The consideration of the League Island
/ bill was resumed but not disposed of. The
/ Congressional representation bill was, on
! motion, referred to the Committee of the
Whole. A resolution was adopted calling
on the Secretary of State for information
rs to the disposition of the money allowed
| for Japanese aggressions on American
! commerce.
The Virginia bill was the business before
the Senate on Wednesday but that body,
at $50 p. NJ, adjourned without disposing
Of the bill
! A resolution was adopted directing the
General of the army to inform the House
by what authority certain army officers
are acting in the Georgia Legislature. The
Philadelphia Navy Yard bill was discussed
until the expiration Of the morning hour,
! when joint resolution for the continuance
of the income tax was passed. The House
| then went into Committee of the Whole
After rising, the pension bill was reported
to the House and passed
The Senate has moved step forward in
the virginia case. An amendment was
fixed to the House bill imposing an oath
on all State officers to the effect that they
are eligible under the fourteenth amend
ment.
Five of the strong minded Washington
cenventionists made a raid upon the Presi-
dent on Thursday, in order to convict him to
their beliefs.
/ In the United States Senate, on Thurs
day Mr.. Anthony presented a communiea-
ton from the Governor of Rhode Island,
rendering the statue Of General Nathaniel
Green, OF Revolutionary fame. Mr. Sum-
ner offered resolutions of acceptance, which
were adopted Mr.. Ramsey introduced
bill to establish postal telegraph under
the control of the Postmaster General,
which was laid over for future action.
The bill for the admission of Virginia was
talked over during the afternoon, and much
time consumed in tillibustering. The agree
; ment was finally made to take the vote at
four o'clock, Friday afternoon.
In the House of Representatives on
Thursday, several important bills were
referred to various committees. The
League Island bill came under debate, and
was again made the cover for the arguments
and assertions Of members in regard to
the expense of the Government. Mr. SEQ
. field very sharply reviewed Dir. Dawes
speech of Tuesday, made some personal
statements regarding him, and entered into
\ general defence of tho expenditures of
this Administration. A motion to print
the report of Mr. Wells, Special Commits
sioner of lntrnal Revenue, brought on a
general discussion as to the correctness OF
his statements and deductions regarding
the tariff and manufacturers. The House
finally resolved to print the document.
Intelligence has been received here to
the effect that the French Government has
decided to send Mr.. Berthenay, late French
Minister to our Government, to arrange
the international postal question, and also
to adjust the diffiulties growing out of tho
French cable controversy. The same
authority states that the Emperor is very
anxious for a satisfactory adjustment OF
these questions.
A despatch from Mississippi states that
ii. S. Revels, colored man, has been
elected United States Senator for the unex-
pired term; Governor Alcorn for the short
term, Gen. Ames for the long term.
to If you want to be IN good humor
all the week, get your washing nicely done
!. by 10 o'clock Monday morning and have
the clothes ironed and put away before