The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-15
CONGRESS-.

THURSDAY, Dec. s. Bills were introduced in
the senate by Mr. Wilson. to prevent assessments
of money upon government employees for political
and other purposes; by Mr.. Pomeroy, amendatory
nt the presumption laws, allowing joint entries upon
pHbhc lands by conterminous proprictors; also
lont resolution proposing constitutional amend
mcnt relating to female suffrage. The standing
committees were agreed on, being substantially the
same as III the last session. Mr.. Hamlin at his own
request was relieved from service at this session.
\ new committee Oh The levees OF the Mississippi,
consisting of Messrs. Kellogg, Trumbull, SchurZ,
spencer and Bayard was also appointed. The
House resumed the consideration of the bill to re-
wise and consolidate the postal laws. the pending
question being on an amendment offered by Mr..
Farnsworth. Of Illinois, abolishing the trankng
privilege. Mr. Farnsworth advocated and explain
ed the amendment. He said that the stamps for
senators and members would not go into their pos
session but would remain in custody of the Secre-
tary OF the Senate and Clerk of the House. He
thought ii would be useless to enact simple aboli-
lion of the privilege for the Senate would not agree
10 il. Mr.. Farnsworth's amendment was itself
amended and then killed; after which Mr.. Hill of
New jersey moved to strike out all the section of
the bill relating to the ranking privilege, being
equivalent to its abolition. Agreed to, 81 to 70.
McsSrS Hale and Lynch voting for the motion, and
Mcssrs Blaine, Peters and Morrill, not voting. The
death of Mr.. Ridgeway, late member from Virginia,
WAS announced and remarks euiogistic of his char
acler were made. The House then adjourned till
Monday.
FRIDAY, Dec. 9. The Senate adopted resolu-
lion ordering the judiciary committee to inquire
INTO the point in dispute between the government
and the railroads which have received its bonds re-
lavc to the payment of interest. The Committee
IN Indian Affairs reported favorably on the bill au-
lhorizng the election of delegate to Congress from
The Indian territory. The House not in session.
MONDAY, Dec. 18th. Mr.. Schurz introduced
csOlution in the Senate favoring the removal of all
political disabilities and various other propositions
Were introduced and laid over or referred. In the
House Mr.. Butler introduced bill to repeal the
tenure of office net which was passed under the
previous question, 1877 to &C. Mr.. Banks offered Il
resolution for a commission to inquire into the eX-
pedency Of annexng San Domingo on which he
moved the previous question, saying its reference
would he the same as its defeat but the House re-
issued to order the previous question: 81 to 80, and
referred the resolution Mr.. Logan's bill to abolish
HE offices of Admiral and Vice Admiral in the
navy, the former at once and the latter whenever
4 vacancy should occur, was passed by a two
thirds vote without division. Mr.. Kelley's reso-
luton that the true principle of revenue reform
points to the early abolition of the revenue system
and all the machinery, except what was necessary
for the collection of taxes whiskey, malt liquors
and tobacco was adopted, 1874 to 5.