Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-06-21
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

|
SENATE-W ednesday, JuT.e 18th. Bills were
passed granting lands in aid of certain rail-
road In Florida; defining duties of pension
agents. and providing tor the quarterly payment
OF pensions, and confirming the title of Mrs.
Harriet Parker to two guano islands in the
North Pacific Ocean. discovered by her late
husband. The bill to abolish the franking priv
| ilege was then taken up and long discussion
took place. Pending debate the Senate took
/ recess until 7:3O P. NJ.
| EUen'ng SeSsson.-The session was devoted
| to debate on the bill abolishing the franking
| privilege, but no action was taken.
HoUsE.-The Committee of Ways and Means
| reported bill relieving coal from all taxation,
but it was decided that the bill was not in ac
c0rdance with the instructions of the House,
| and it was recomrnitted. The Currency bill
was taken up, amended and passed-yeas 49,,
| nays 81. The consideration of the report of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs in relation to
! Cuba was resumed, and several speeches we're
made. The vote by which the previous oues-
ton was ordered was reconsidered, and the de-
bate continued until o clock P NJ, when the
House adjourned The report will now come
up as unfinished business after the morning
hour.
SENATE Thursday, June 16th.-The bill re-
iHating to the supreme Court of the District Of
COLUMBIA, and the House bill to establish a
Department of Justice, were passed. The Cur
rency bill was referred to the Committee on
Finance. The Senate refused to postpone the
| bib to abolish the franking privilege so as to
take up the bill removing political disabilities.
The consideration OF the Franking bill was con-
| tinued until sos P. M, when, without coming
| to final vote, the Senate adjourned.
| HOUsE.-Atter disposing temporarily of so me
other business, the House resumed the com
slderation OF the resolutions relating to affai rs
| In Cuba. A number Of speeches were MADE
and several amendments were proposed and re-
jected. Mr.. Bingham's amendment, being the
third section of the resolution reported by the
majority OF the committee, was adopted as a
| substitute for the whole. The resolution, as
amended, was then passed-yeas lO2, nays 8S.
The House refused to concur In the Senate
amendments to the bill relating to duties of
| pension agents, and appointed committee OF
| conference. Several bills relating to Pacific
| railroads were reported and discu ssed Pending
| debate the House, at $40 P. NJ, adjourned.
SENATE-Friday, June 18th. The bill allow
| Ing, pension to Mrs. Lincoln was taken up
| and long discussion ensued, but no action was
| taken. The Postofice Appropriation bill was
| taken up, and several amendments were made
Pendlng debate the Senate took a recess until
1870 P. NJ e5 T1# 4.f.rr
| Euenang Session. AT the evening session,
after speeches by Mr.. Sumner in favor of his
bill aud Mr. Sprague in reply, at midnight a
vote was reached aud Mr. Sunni er's PROPOSE
ton was defeated by 25 to II. A. motion to
reduce letter postage to two instead Of three
cents was adopted-2l to l7-and the Senate
| adjourned -
HOUSE, joint resolution was passed order
Ing that the stone sent by the Pope to Abraham
Lincoln be turned over to the Li,,coln Monu-
ment Association at Springfield, Illinois also,
resolution relating to the distribution of the
tribute to Mr.. Lincoln also, bill Supplemental
to the act in reference to the surveys of public
lands. The Committee on Elections made a
report, and submitted resolutions declaring
Charles Whittlesey not entitled and Lewis Nc
kenzie entitled to seat in the House as mem
Der from the Seventh Virginia District, which
position to equalize the bounty of soldiers who
served during the late war, removing the re-
strlctlon from those who have served less than
two years.