Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-02-08
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
FORTY FIRST CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION.

| FORTT-FIRST CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION.
SENATE--W ednesday, Feb. End. Several
bills and resolutions were disposedo of temporari-
II. The discussion Of the Currency bill was re-
sumed, and number Of amendments were
agreed to. Amendments were adopted making
the amount Of additional circulation to be issued
folty-fve millions, as originally reported by the
committee, in place of the ffty-two millions
agreed upon on Tuesday, and increasing the
amount Of circulation to be Withdrawn from
those States In excess from thirteen to twenty
millions. The bill was then passed by vote
Of yeas 80 to nays %. A bill to preserve the
neutral relations OF the United States, which
repeats certain sections of the act of 1918, was
taken up, and several members made speeches
in favor of allowing citizens of the United States
to enlist in the Cuban army. Pending dscus-
sion, the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, "A number
Of bills and resolutions were introduced and re-
| ferred to committees. The Committee on
Foreign Affairs reported resolution requesting
the President, If not Incompatible with the
public interests, to inform the House of all
| knowledge in possession Of the Government with
| regard to American citizens now confined In
| British prisons; and also to report what mea-
sures Of protection are, In his opinion, deemed
| necessary Mr. Swami made speech in favor
of the RESOLUTION. Several other speeches were
made on the resolution, and the discussion con-
tinued until the expiration of the morning hour.
Messrs. Poland and Garfield were appointed
Regents Of the Smithsonian Institute. The bill
appropriating thirty thousand dollars fer the
relief of the poor Of the District was taken up
in Committee of the Whole. After long dis
cussion amendment was adopted providing that,
instead Of appropriating money, the Secretary
OF War shall be allowed to issue rations suf-
hcient for the purpose. The committee then
rose, and the bill was reported to the House.
Pending additional discussion, the House adj
journed.
SENATE Thursday, Feb 3rd The bill ex-
tending the time for the. completion of the
laternai branch of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad into the District Of Columbia, was
taken up and passed The bill to preserve the
up, and a number Of members addressed the
Senate upon the question OF according tclgerent
rights to Cuba. The bill for the admission of
Mississippi was read twice agd referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary. The Senate at
4O5 Z. Nj. went into executive session, and at
its close, adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The Com
mittee Of Ways and Means was instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of amending the
revenue laws by laying tax Of two dollars and
half per capita on dogs. bill was passed
tAO ttNOiliOHci DOutty GCb vi UldTCn
Sd, 1862 The resolution reported from the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, in relation to
theimprisonmento of American citizens in British
prisons, was discussed until the expiration of
the morning hour. A bill for the admission IF
Mississippi was reported from the Committee
on Reconstruction, and passed by the House
yeas 1874, nays Sc. 4 Naval Deficiency APP
preparation bill was reported from the Commit
lee On Appropriations: The appropriations
made in the bill amounted to two million nine
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and under
it unexpended balances were ordered to be
covered into the Treasury, amounting to three
millions of Dollars. The bill was passed, after
a long discussion, with an amendment reducing
the appropriat ons made in it to two millions Of
dollars. The House then adjourned
SENATE-Fliday, Feb. 4th.-A bill was pass
ed authorizing the Secretary Of the Treasury to
withhold moneys due any State, when said
State is in default interest on any Of its bonds
held IN trust by the United States. The House
bill to abolish the franking privilege was taken
up. An amendment was offered providing that
nothing contained In it shall be construed to az
feet the free transmission through the mails of
newspapers within twenty miles OF their place
of publication The discussion Of the bill was
continued until the expiration Of the morning
hour, but no action was taken. The President
was requested to furnish all information In his
possession relative to affairs in Georgia since