Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-12-13

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The last session of the Forty first Congress
of the United States was begun yesterday at
noon In the Senate, Hon. VIM. Window.
appointed by the Governor of Minnesota for
the rnexpired term of Hon. d. s. Norton, de-
ceased, was sworn in. The first business after
the appointment of the customary committees
to wait on the House of Representatives and
the President, was the presentation of claims
against the United States from the State OF
Vermont a resolution was adopted calling
for correspondence in regard to the war be-
tween France and Prussia. Mr.. Sumner In
| troduced bill to terminate the manufacture
of currency, to strengthen the national banks
and to promote the return to specie payments.
| The provisions of the bill are given in the
regular report. Senators Cole and Cassefly
introduced bills to abolish the income tax, and
| Mr., Cole bill to repeal the section of the late
law lowering the duly on brandy and opium
also Joint resolution requiring that gold notes
and United States notes shall, after June goth,
| 1871, be taken at their face value for duties on
| imports Mr. Kellogg introduced bill to
remove all the political disabilities imposed by
the 18th amendment. There was some de-
bate on a resolution of Mr.. Sumner calling
upon the eolored school trustees of Washing
ton city for report upon the condition of the
col0red schools. A motion was debated to
take up the House bill ceding certain juris-
dicton to the State of Ohio in order to pre-
vent the Acknowledgement of certain soldiers
| in asylums at Dayton. The Presidents mes
sage was then announced and read. and after
some other minor business the Senate ad
journed.
In the House 166 members answered the
roll call there we're So absentees. J. Hale
| Sypher. of Louisiana, and Joseph Dickson, of
North Carolina, were sworn in members.
The credentials of r. T. W. Duke elected to
! fill the vacancy in the 5th Virginia district,
caused by the death of Hon. Robert Ridge
way, were presented. There was considerable
debate on the motion to admit Mr.. Duke, but
he was finally sworn in. The Presidents
message and accompanying documents were
received at about two o'clock.
TUESDAY.
The only thing done in the Senate yesterday
was the passage of Mr.. brakes resolution that
pages shall not be appointed under twelve
years Of age, or remain in Office beyond the
age of sixteen years. Heretofore the ages
were limited to thirteen and seventeen years.
Another Joint resolution was introduced to re-
peal the income tax after December 81, 1870;
also resolution to allow the election of Del
egate to Congress from the Indian Territory.
In the House several miscellaneous bills
and resolutions were introduced, and few of
general interest. There were three bills TO
repeal the income tax. two to give American
register to oreign-built vessels, and one to re-
neal the duty on sugar tea and coffee. Messrs.
Holmes. of New York, Morey, of Louisiana,
and Wolfe, of Iowa, wore sworn in as mem
| tbol los 70 p aOH
the time allowed for constructing the proposed
railway from the St. Croix river to Bayfield,,
carrying with it an old land grant, was debated
defeated reconsidered, and then postponed till
Tuesday next. Mr.. Logan tried to get bill
passed abolishing the officers of admiral and
vice admiral in the navy. and gave notice that
| he would offer the same again next Monday.
A resolution of inquiry, by Mr.. Eldridge, in
regard to the federal troops in Montgomery,
Ala, was objected to, and therefore not en-
tertained a resolution was passed calling for
information in regard to the payment of interest
on Union Pacific railroad bonds.
WEDNESDAY.
The Senate was in session only fifteen Minis
utes, and during that time was mainly occu-
I pied with District of Columbia matters (col-
ored schools and dime saving bank and the
regulation of its own order of business. The
bill to promote telegraphic intercourse with
Asia and Europe was introduced.
The House got into working harness on un-
finished bushes, and was occupied some time
with the bill reported Mt the last session to
consolidate and amend the statutes relating to
postal matters. All amendments to increase
the pay Of letter carriers were rejected. The
sections authorizing the seizure of gift concert
and other swindling schemes were stricken
out, but it was agreed to impose fine OF sou
for derositng any such matter in the mails.
The postal card system of correspondence was
objected to on account of its openness and liza
biiity to abuse Another bill was introduced
| to promote gradual resumption of specie pay
ments, and one to reduce the duties on tea,
coffee, sugar, salt, bessemer steel and pig iron.
THURSDAY.
In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.. Wilson intro
duced bill to prohibit the political taxation
of government clerks, under penalty, and pre-
scribing an oath against such practices. The
standing committees, with but few changes,
were announced. The Senate was in execu-
tive session on nominations for few minutes,
and then adjourned.
The House was occupied large part of the
day the postal reorganization bill, and
finally agreed-yeas 81, nays 79-to strike
out the whole of the chapter relating to the
ranking privilege. An amendment was
adopted extending the frauking privilege to
the widow of the late President James X
Polk The Postmaster General was author
lied to establish post routes without special
legislation. A bill was introduced granting
land to the State of Wisconsin in aid of q
railroad from Milwaukee to Lake Superior
also bills to reduce internal taxes and to regu
late labor and wages in the navy-yards. Ad'
journed until Monday.
FRIDAY.
A great deal of matter was introduced in the
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