Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-17
was not in session.

was not In session.
HoUsE-To day in the House was devote,
to speech-making in Committee of the Whole
SENATE. Monday, Jan. 9th.-A memoria
signed by citizens of Baltimore. protesting
against the injustice of appropriating money
| for sectarian purposes, and asking the passage
of an amendment to the Constitution prohibit
ing the appropriation Of any money raised By
taxation for any religious object. was referred
and presented to the Committee on the Judici-
ary. The Committee on the Judiciary report
ed adversely on the bill providing that elec-
tions for Presidential electors and members OF
Congress shall be by ballot. The bill revising
the laws relating to mints and coinage of the
United States was taken up, and an effort was
made to abolish the present coinage charges.
After debate resolution was adopted fixing
the rate at $40 of per cent. instead of per
cent. as at present. The Senate then went in
to executive session and at its close adjourned.
HoUsE.-A resolution was adopted directing
Ways and Means Committee to inquire into the
expediency of abolishing the income tax. A
bill was introduced reviying the project of an
air line railroad between Washington and New
York. A message was received from the Pres
ldent enclosing papers In relation to San Do
mlnge, and their reading was demanded, but
on the announcement that it would take two
days to comply, the documents were referred to
the Committee on Foreign affairs. Adjourn
ed.
SENATE.-Tuesday, Jan. 10th.-A number
OF memorials were presented from letter envel-
cpe manufacturers, setting forth that Govern
ment manufactures and sells stamped envel-
opes at an annual loss thereby coming into in
furious competition with private citizens, and
asking that the Government close It's sale OF
stamped envelopes. They were referred to the
Committee on PostoHices. A memorial was
also presented asking such action as will secure
direct recognition, In the Constitution, of the
existence of God, and of belief in the Chris
tian religion.
A joint resolution authorizing the President
to appoint commissioner to determine the
claims for damages committed upon American
commerce by British cruisers was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations. The
Political Disability bill was taken up, and Mr.
Salisbury denounced the action of the Radi-
cal party In relation to the subject. At the ex-
piration of the morning hour the bill was laid
aside, and the bill revising the laws relating to
mints and coinage of the United States was
taken up and passed-yeas SO, nays IA. The
bill to prohibit members of Congress from So
Letting the appointment of persons to Office
was then called up. After brief debate the
bill was laid aside, and the Senate joint resolu-
ton providing for the appointment of COM
mission to visit San Domingo was taken up.
HoUsE.-The debate on the San Domingo
resolution was continued aud number of
speeches were made in opposition to the annex
alton scheme. A vote was then taken on Mr..
Ambler's amendment, providing that nothing
in the resolution shall be construed as commit
ting Congress to the policy of annexation, and
it was adopted-yea los, nays rs. The reso-
luton, as amended, was then passed-yeas l23,
n L A..
al Exposition, to be held at Philadelphia in
1876, in honor of the centennial anniversary of
American Independence, was taken Up and
passed.