Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-02-01
Summary of Congressional Proceedings.

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SENATE, JAM 19th-A bill was passed abol-
ishing the Offices of admiral and vice-admiral
when vacancy shall occur.-A bill was intro
duced providing that the Government shall aid
the construction of the Portland, Rutland,
Oswego and Chicago Railroad by loan of six
per cent. thirty-year bonds to the amount OF
S5O, 900 per mile for it's whole extent from
Portland to Chicago. The road is to be double
track and furnished with steel rails and iron
tridges The Postmaster General is to estab-
lish rates for the transportation of freight and
passengers.-A bill was passed appropr1atlng
81 ,696 to Mrs. Melinda Harmon, to discharge
a mortgage given by her husband to the coun-
sci who defended him III the trial, before rebel
authorities, on the charge of bridge burning
in the interests of the Union cause. Harmon
and his son were both convicted of the charge
and hung.-The motion of MIR. Morton for the
appointment of special committee OF five to
investigate the charges of violence and resist
ance to the laws in the South was passed
After an executive session, the Senate ad-
journed.
HousE.-Among the bills introduced was
one giving aid in the construction of twenty
or more irst-class steamships, together with
ship yards, machine shops, rolling mills,
wharf docks, and to secure to the Govern
ment the use of the same for postal, naval
and other purposes.-Th morning hour was
consumed in the discussion of a bill, reported
/ from the Committee on Indian Affairs, pro-
viding for the consolidation Of Indian tribes
and to organize system of government for
| the new territory it created. 1t establishes a
temporary government by name the Territory
/ of Oklahama. bounded on the north by
the southern boundary of Kansas, west
| by the eastern boundary OF New
Mexico, south by the northern boundary
of Texas, and east by the western boundary
of Arkansas and Missouri. 1t went over with
out vote-The vote by which the House,
| ,o,,,o d,,,o orro laid or, tho tabJa the hill
tending the time for the construction of the
railroad from st. Croix river or lake to the
west end of Lake Superior, or to Bayfield,, was
reconsdered and the motion to lay on the ta-
BILE rejected. After a lengthy discussion OF
the BILL the previous question was moved, but
the House refused to second it, and the bill
went over.-Some time was spent in Commit
tee of the Whole on the consular and dlplo
matte appropriation bill, which approprlates
81, ABS, 900, but without making any particular
progress the committee rose, and the House
adjourned.
SENATE. Jan. 20th.-Among the bills intro
duced was one Incorporating company te
o eonstruct 3 tunnel under the Hudson Rive
between New York and Jersey City, and ont
under East River between New York ane
Brooklyn.-The special committee on southern
outrages was named, consisting OF Senators
Scott, Wilson Rice. Chandler, and Bayard.-
The Sutro Tunnel bill. which provides fo
1
proceeds of moneys received by the Unltee
States from the sales of mineral lands; fift.
thousand dollars to be paid upon the compile
ton of every five hundred feet, and the tunne
to be completed within ten years, wa
taken up discussed, and laid aside
The bill to refund states the interest and dis
count on money borrowed to equip, pay, suppl
and transport troops for the service of tn
United States in the recent war was debate
during the remainder of the session.-After al
executive session, the Senate adjourned unit
Monday.
HoUsE.-Some time was spent in commltte
of the whole, On the consular and diplomat
appropriation bill. but without disposing OF
the House took up and amended and passe
the Senate bill providing territorial govern
ment for the District of Columbia.-The arm
appropriation bill was reported from commit
tee. It appropriates 1927 ,475, ,000 Adjournec
Saturdays session will be for general debat
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