Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-02-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION.
SENATE Monday, Feb l4th.-A resolution
was passed providing that the compensation of
the Virginia Senators shall commence from
January &C.. 1870, on which day Virginia was
declared entitled to representation in Congress-
Mr.. Morton introduced bill to enforce the
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, which was referred to the
judiciary Committee. A bill was reported
from the Judiciary Committee increasing the
salaries of Justice of the Supreme Court to ten
thousand dollars year, and that of the Chief
Justice to twelve thousand.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, "A resolution
declaring that, in the opinion of the House, the
business interests OF the country require an in
crease in the volume of the circulating currency
of the country. AID instructing the Committee
on Banking and Currency to report bill in
creasing the currency at least fifty millions of
dollars, was introduced. A motion to lay it on
the table was rejected by a vote of yeas "a to
the resolution went over. The resolution re-
cognizing the belligerent rights of Cuba was re-
committed. 7e
SENATE-Tuesday. Feb. 18th. The bill to
abolish the franking privilege was taken up
After speech by MIR. Morrill, was laid aside.
The Mississippi bill was taken up, and several
addresses were delivered upon it. Pending dis
cussion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tho Speaker
appointed committee of conference on the
Naval Deficiency Appropriation bill. Mr..
Swami called up bis resolution requesting the
President to inform the House of all knowledge
in possession of the Government with regard to
American citizens now confined in British pri-
sons: and also to report what measures of pro-
lection are, In his opinion, deemed necessary.
Mr.. Swami made a speech in favor of the reso
luton. in which he denied the accusations of
Mr.. Willard that he was unfriendly to the Irish
race. lis
SENATE Wednesday, Feb. l6th.-The con-
sideration of the Mississippi bill was continued,
and several speeches were made Mr. Wiley
opposed the conditions imposed by the bill, and
moved proviso, that the conditions inserted
by Congress in the Virginia bill be repealed. -
Pending discussion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. The Com
mittee on Territories reported adversely upon
the bill providing territorial government for
Alaska. A bill was passed fixing the salaries
of judges in all the Territories at three thou
sand dollars year each. A memorial asking
that the State of Massachusetts be remanded
to territorial form of Government was referr-
ed to the Committee ON Reconstruction. A
resolution was offered by Mr. Banks, declaring
that the United States will preserve strict
neutrality in the contest between Spain and the
people of Cuba. It was referred to the Com
mittee On Foreign Affairs.
SENATE-Thursday, Feb. 17th-The con-
ference committee on the West Point Appro-
priation bill made report, which was agreed
to- A number of bills and resolutions were in
troduced and disposed of temporarily. The Mis-
sissippi bill was taken up and, after long dis
cussion, was passed as it came from the House
by vote of yeas so to nays H.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The Com
mittee on the Decline of American Commerce
made report which was made the special or
der for the third Monday in March. A bill to
| reorganze the Territorial Government Of Utah
was discussed until the expiration of the morn
| ing hour. The discussion of the Legislative
| Appropriation bill was continued, and several
amendments we're adopted but no final vote
taken. The committee of conference on the
Military Appropriation bill made report, which
was agreed to-
SENATE-Friday, Feb 18th. The ratification
Of the Fifteenth Amendment by the State of
Nebraska was announced to the Senate. Me-
MORALS signed by eight hundred citizens of
| Baltimore and eight thousand citizens of Mary
land, asking the recognition OF Cuban indie
pendence we're presented, and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill to
amend the usury laws Of the District of Colum-
|
ing for an international Industrial Exhibition,
to be held ia Washington city In 1871, was
taken up. A long discussion ensued, in which
number of speeches were made. Pending de-
bate the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Petitions
were presented from cigar manufacturers, jour-
neymen igar-makers, &c, of Maryland, asking
duty of So per pound and so cent. ad vuiorena
on imported cigars. 1t was referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means. Several
amendments were proposed and rejected, after
which the committee rose A bill was passed
appropriating So 600 to pay the expenses of the
Military Committee in investigating the alleged
sales Of cadetships
fetch IT LIGHT''-A venerable secession
list, who had passed through all the sights the
scenes, the trials and calamities, of the late
civil strife, was conversing with friend about
the state of the country, when he was asked
what he thought now of his favorie remedy
for entertainments by the General Government
upon the rights of the States. He replied that
as long as it worked right it was good; but, af-
ter his last experience if secession came around