Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-04-01
xLIst oosGRrss-sacoNp SESSION.

sAEASA W - - NsotNAF > A&HsfAONs
MONDAY, March y. SENATE. Mr.. Ab-
bott from the COMMITTEES on Military AT
fairs, reported bill, which was passed,
providing for the distribution Of arms
among the Southern States according to
their quota under existing laws The Geor
gia bin was up again and discussed but no
action taken.
In the House, Dir Bnks introduced a
bin to promote commerce and amity between
the United States and Mexico by eneour
aging American citizens 10 developing the
resources of that country. Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Lawrence submitted bill for the
payment Of the entire public debt aud the
reduction Of taxation. He stated that the
bill was prepared bv one Of the ahlest minds
in the country Referred to the Committee
Of Ways and Means.
A bill was also introduced BY Mr. VIII
Hams, declaring it to be the duty Of Con-
gress to provide for the funding of the ma
tional debt at a lower rate Of interest, and
to extend the time for its payment to pc
riod when twill be least oppressive to the
people, and that the interest bearing debt
of the United States should not be ucreas-
ed BY causing a surrender Of any part Of the
present circulating medium not bearing in
terest, and by the substitution therefor of
interest. bearing bonds Adopted After
which the Tariff biz was discussed
TUESDAY, March 22d-In the Senate
several bills were introduced and referred
After which the consideration Of the claim
Of Adelbert Ames, Senator elect from Mis-
sisSippi, 10 a seat as Senator, was resumed
bHt the Senate adjourned before anything
was accomplished.
To the House the Utah bill, reported from
the Committee on Territories some weeks
since was taken up 1t provides fer the
abolition Of polysamy This led to a warm
discussion which occupied all the time
WEDNESDAY, March 23d In the Sen
ate the bill 10 promote the civilization of the
Indians and their progress in agricultural
pursuits was taken up and passed
The case of General Ames was then taken
mp and occupied the balance Of the time
with no definite result
House The Speaker laid before the
House a message from the President, call
attention to the decline of American COM
merce, as shown IN the report Of the Spe-
cial Committee, and earnestly urging early
action thereon He says the fact that thir-
ty millions of dollars are annually paid to
ting He is Of the opinion that direct ton
nagesubsi1ies are less liable to abuse than
indirect assistance.
Mr. Brooks said he was very glad that
the President had recognized the great fact
Of the destruction Of American commerce,
and hoped il would secure speedy action,
especially in connection with the Tariff bill.
The Utah bill was then taken up, and
Mr.. Hooper proceeded to address the House
in defence Of polygamy Other speeches
we've made, after which several sections of
the bill were then stricken ou'. Among
them the sections confiscating the property
of persons convicted Of poygamy, and cm-
powering the President to send troops and
enlist 10000 volunteers when he might
deem it necessary. Also, the section appro-
priating 500 600 for the relief Of persons
rendered destitute or homeless by the Gu
forcement Of this act
The bill was then passed finally. and the
House at halfpast four o clock, took a re-
cess until half past seven O'Clock this eve
ning-the session to be devoted to the de-
bate on the Tariff BILL
During the evening session several speech
es were made by Messrs. Holman aud John
son, when the House adjourned
THURSDAY March oath. h.-lmmediately
after the reading Of the journal Of the pro-
ceedings, on motion Of Mr.. Sumner, the
Senate went into executive session for the
consideration Of the San Domingo treaty:
and, at 4 45 p NJ, adjourned.
In the House, the message Of the Presi-
dent relative to the decline Of American
commerce was referred
Mr. Logan, from tie Committee on Mill
tary Affairs presented a final report on the
cadet-ship traffic The committee find that
quite number of cadets have been appoint
ed from districts 10 which they did not re
side. These irregularities arose from a late
construction Of the law by the War and Ma
Wy Departments but the abuses are now
being corrected. In cases other than those
already reported 10 the House, the testi-
mony is generally conflicting, and the com
mIttee Is unanimously OF the opinion that
the facts do not justify report Of the testi-
mony or further action in these cases.
The committee respectfully recommends
the passage Of the bill and resolutions ac-
companyiug the report
The bill provides hat a cadet must have
resided two years in district from which
he Is appointed prior to his nomination At
least two competent persons must swear to
such residence Of two year: that if it shall
uC AintbNCltu IL dNy llluE tldt au appoint
ment as a cadet was procured through pc
cuniary influences the cadet shall be at once
dismissed.
Mr.. Logan asked that action be first taken
on he bill
Mr. Niblack moved 10 amend by insert
ing one -ear instead Of two.
Mr.. Logan accepted the amendment, and
the bill was passed.
Mr. Logan asked that vote be taken on
the resolution-that it is in evidence that
Commodore John H. Upshur, ofthe Navy,
paid Que Landon 81 300 for the appoint
ment of his son a cadet in the Naval Acad- /
cmy, aud that the Secretary Of the Navy be
requested TO convene court martial for the /
trial of Upshur for conduct uubecoming an
officer of the naval service.
Mr. Logan said the facts were plain and !
the law was plain, aud the Committee had /
simply performed sworn duty in recon- |
munding that the resolution be passed.
The resolution was then passed
The House then went into Committee Of 1
the Whole on the Tariff bill, which was dis
cussed until ten O'Clock F. NJ, the hour of 1
adjournment Of the evening session.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
MONDAY, March 2lst.-Senate not in 4