Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-03-21
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


SENATE. Tuesday, March 14th.-House
resolution providing for the final adjournment
OF Congress on Wednesday, was laid on table
yeas, 80, nays, Is.
An address of numerous natives of San Do
mingo, exiled by the Baez Government, pro-
testing against annexation to the United States,
was read by Mr.. Sumner.
The House bill repeating the duty on coal
was laid over, under objection of Mr.. Hamil-
ton. bill was passed authorizing the reissue
OF national bank notes to be exchanged for
mutilated bills Several new bills were intro
duced and disposed Of temporarily.
A bill for the protection of settlers on public
lands was introduced and advocated by Mr..
Pratt At the close of his speech, the Senate
adjourned.
HOUsE.-A resolution was adopted directing
the Secretary OF War to cause survey to be
made for ship canal to connect the Mississip-
pi river with the Gulf of Mexico. A resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Cox, in relation to a reduc-
ton of revenue, was ordered to be printed. =
A motion was made by Mr. Beck to reconsider
the vote by which his Amnesty bill was refer
red to the Judiciary Committee, and several
amendments were offered by Mr.. Poland.
After long debate, the vote was reconsid-
adopted. On final vote on the passage OF
the bill, it failed to obtain two-thirds MAORI
ty, and was lost-yeas 100; nays 49,
SENATE. w ednesday, March l5th.-The
House bills repeating the duties on coal and
salt were read the second time and placed on
the calendar. A bill was passed giving kboun-
ties to certain discharged soldiers and sailors.
A motion to reconsider the vote was made and
discussed, but no action taken. A short execu-
tive session was held, and at its close the SEN
ate adjourned.
HoUsE-Mr. Butler gave notice that he
would introduce his ''Ku- Klux" bill at the
earliest possible moment, and advocate its adop-
ton. After confused discussion, the regular
order was demanded. Under the call of States
Mr.. Buffers bill was offered by Mr. Lynch, OF
Maine, but was withdrawn, as one davis notice
| was necessary for its introduction.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Peters of Maine,
| was passed-yeas, I25. nays "a, ordering that
a select committee of thirteen be appointed by
the Speaker to inquire into the condition OF
the 1nsurrectlonary States, so far as relates to
the execution of the laws and safety of the
lives and property Of citizens of the United
States, and to report the result of their invest
lgatlon to the House at its session in December
next with such recommendation as they may
deem expedient. The committee was authori-
zed to sit during the recess of Congress.
A motion to reconsider the vote was made
and laid on the table. The committee was ap-
pointed by the Speaker as follows Messrs.
Butler Of Massachusetts; Shellabarger, of
Ohio; Kelley, Of Pennsylvania Maynard of
Tennessee; Buckley, of Alabama Coburn. of
Indiana; Stevenson. of Ohio Burdett, of Mis-
souri, Cox, of New York Beck, of Kentucky !;
Archer, of Maryland Waddell, Of North Car
DINA, and Robinson, of Illinois
SENATE Thursday, March 16th.-Bills for
the suppression of the Ku-Klux were offered
by Messrs. Wilson and Sherman Mr.. Davis
offered concurrent resolution proposing
an amendment to the Constitution providing
for the appointment of constitutional tribunal
to determine questions of Jurisdiction between
the United States and the several States. The
bill making appropriations for the payment of
additional clerks and messengers In the Pen
sion Office, and for other purposes, was taken
up. Pending debate the Senate went into ex-
ecutive session, and, at Its close. adjourned.
Attention was called to the letter addressed
by Mr.. Butler to the Republican members, sta
ting his reasons for refusing to serve as chair
man of the committee, and to his statement
that the resolution appointing the committee
was trick" sprung upon the House. Mr.
Blaine, who drew up the resolution as offered
by Mr.. Peters, left the chair and denounced
the action of Mr. Butler in the most bitter
terms. to which Mr. Butler feebly attempted
to reply. The discussion was long, and of
most exciting character, and the most violent
personalities were exchanged.