Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-03-28
CONGRESS.
MONDAY.


The Senate confirmed the nomination Of the
! Hon. Mr. Bradley, Of New Jersey, TO be an as
ssciate Justice Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States. The Honse amendments to the
/ Baltimore and Potomac railroad bill, extending
the time for its completion, were concurred in.
A bill was passed providing for the distribution
CT arms to the Southern States. The bill to
change the usury laws Of the District of COL
umbia, with the House amendment, was called
up AID referred The consideration of the
Georgia bill was then resumed, and long de-
bate ensued. - sr-r -rwrgcr
In the House, bill was passed to athend the
census act so as to allow the census to be taken,
and striking out the section in relation to the
apportionmeut Of members. The bill to incor-
porate the Washington Steamboat Company
was passed q bill was also passed appropria-
ting $4,000 to rebuild the orphan asylum Of
Our Lady Of Mercy at Charleston, S. c., in
consideration Of the attention PAID Union off,
GERS and soldiers there during the war The
tariff bill was then discussed al length.
TUESDAY.
In the Senate Mr. Sherman, from the COM
mittee on finance reported that the bill Of Mr.
Sumner TO strengthen the legal reserves and to
promote return to specie payments, be ndef-
nitely postponed which report was concurred
in. The resolution of the judiciary committee
against the admission of Gen. Ames, one of the
Senators elect from Mississippi, was taken up
and discussed until the hour of adjournment.
In the House the committee on elections re-
ported that Mr.. George r. Booker, the mem
Der elect from the fourth district of Virginia,
was entitled TO his seat minority report
was made against his right to q seat, on the al
legged ground that he was dsloyal, &c. The
House then took up the bill in relation TO Utah,
and to enforce the laws of the United States in
that Territory against polygamy. 1t was de-
bated up to the hour of adjournment.
WEDNESDAY.
The Senate passed a bill to promote the
civilization of the Indians, and TO prepare
them for the rights of citizens The greater
part Of the day was consumed in the debate
upon General Ames's eligibility as Senator
from Mississippi, without result
In the House the Sutro tunnel bill was dis
posed of by the adoption Of the report of the
committee on mines, recommending that the
bill be laid on the table The polygamy bill
WAS then taken up and after amendment strik
AllE out tue StNNlUIS ICldllu2 " tue CUdtiRt bl
the system of courts and jRres. the employ
ment Of the military 10 enforce the laws aud
the appropriation Of 500 900 for the relief Of
persons who may be left destitute by the OPP
erations of the act. was passed.
. THURSDAY.
The Senate spent the entire session upon
executive business.
In the House, the committee on military af-
fairs made a general report. without reference
To individuals cases, in relation 10 Illegal and
irregular cadetship appointments, and repor-
tel bill that no such appointments shall
hereafter be considered valid unless the APP
pointee is a bona fiie resident of his district
for two years preceding his appointment
The bill was amended so as to make the re-
quired residence one instead of two years, aud
passed The committee also reported resolu-
ton directing the Secretary Of the Navy to or
der court-martial to try Commander Upshur
on the charge of conduct unbecominga officer,
by paying a sum of money to NJ D. Laudon
mot q member of CougreSs) to procure an APP
poiutment for his son in the Naval Academy,
aud another resolution to dismiss General
Sehaepf from his position as examiner in the
patent Office FOR his completely in the matter
Both resolutions were adopted Athird r-solu-
tt1n from the same committee was passed. ex-
Gliding from all the privileges Of the aoor,
galleries committee and clerks rooms any
person guilty of attempting to influence men,
hers by bribery in any appointment what
ever.
FRIDAY.
In the United States Senate bin was in
troiuced to reduce the enlisted men of the ar
my to twenty-five thousand and also reduce
the number Of officers, aud to fix their pay
The House was chiefly, occupied in the dis
cuSSion of the tariff bill.