Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-01-19
Summary of Congressional Proceedings

SENATE, Jan. 4th.-Among the bills intro
duced was one to enable honorably discharged
soldiers and sailors, their widows and orphans
and children to acquire homesteads on the
public lands of the United States.-The bill
was passed amendatory of the funding act OF
the last session, authorizing an increase of
the issue of five per cent. bonds from $780,
100000 to $500, 100000, and making the inter-
est on the same payable quarterly. Sumner e
resolution calling for information on San Do
mingo matters was adopted without objection.
Some discussion was had on the bill for the
relief of Congressman from importantly In
regard to official appointments, but it went
( over without a yote.-After some further busi-
ness of secondary importance the Senate ad-
| iourned.
/ HoUsE.-Among the bills offered was one to
extend the benefits of the homestead policy
to disabled soldiers and sailors, and to widows
and orphans and dependents relations of those
who died In the service of their country
Wood offered resolution calling upon the
President for all correspondence, papers. &C..
relating to San Domingo. This created some
discussion pending which fhe House adjourned
SENATE, Jan. 5th.-Several bills we're intro
duced and referred, among which was one for
the appointment of inspectors in the Indian
service. 1t directs the President to nominate
to the Senate six inspectors of Indian affairs,
who, under direction of the Interior Depart
ment, and at a salary Of g., 900 per annuIn,
are to visit the Indian tribes and inspect their
sanitary, industrial aud educational condition.
"A bill was passed. providing that hereafter
no tax shall be imposed or collected upon any
undistributable sum added to the contingent
fund OF any insurance company, nor on un-
earned premiums received for risks assumed.
A resolution was adopted calling for the cor
respondence between the State Department
and Minister Motley, relating to his duties and
also to his remoyal.-Thc bill for the reim-
hr of II nf DaH
the destruction of his dwelling house during
the war by the Union forces was passed, after
considerable discussion. Ii appropriates S25,-
600 for the purpose. Adjourned to Mouday.
HoUsE.-Gen. Schenck's resignation of his
seat was presented.-Orth, of Indiana, was
appointed to fill the vacancy on the committee
of Ways aud Means, caused by Schencks res
ignation.-Some time was spent in discussing
the resolutions relative to Paraguayan affairs
and Minister Wsshturn, but they went over
without a vote.-A bill was passed giving Mr..
Schcnck. United States Minister to England,
an additional allowance of %, 500 per year for
private amanucnscs, rendered necessary on
account of Mr.. Schenck's partial disability of
his right hand from wounds received In battle.
Adjourned.
HOUSE, Jan. 6.-Several unimportant bills
were introduced when the House resumed the
consideration of the resolutions reported by
the Committee on Foreign Affairs in reference
to the dispute between Minister Charles A.
Washburne and the late Government of Para
quay. After some discussion thew were adopt
ed. They declare Rear Admiral S. W. Coy
don, in neglecting to aid Mr.. Washburne n
reaching the government to which he was ac-
credited, failed to discharge his duty as Com
mander of the South Atlantic Squadron; that
Messrs. Bliss and Masterman were members of
the personal suite of Mr.. Washburne, and
were, therefore. under the law of nations, en-
nj tat
that the forcible arrest and detention of
Messrs. Bliss and Masterman by the govern !
ment of Paraguay was violation of the law
of nations, and gross insult to the honor
and dignity of the United States. They
approve the action of the President in with /
drawing the American Minister, Gen. Mcmahon,
from the government of Paraguay, and de- |
clining to have further diplomatic intercourse
with that government, and they declare it to
be clearly the duty of the United States naval
officers at foreign stations to render all
reasonable assistance to diplomatic officers /
of the United States, in the discharge
of their duties, and that rofusal GA
neglect TO ronder such assistance when requir !
ed, or any discourtesy Of such naval officers
toward diplomatic officers, shall be a subject
of inquiry and punishment by tho Naval De- |
partment. Additional resolutions were adopt /
ed directing court of inquiry for the trial of
Admirals Gordon and Davis: disappearing of
the conduct of Rear Admiral Chas. ii. Davis /
in delaying Or an unreasonable time to pro-
ceed to the rescue of Messrs. Bliss and Mas !
terman, in accepting their release in the man.
ner and under the circumstances detailed in
the testimony. and in receiving, holding and
treating them as prisoners: declaring that
Admiral Gordon, in neSlecting to aid Mr..
Washburn in reaching the Government to
which he was accredited, failed to discharge
bis duties as commander of the South Atlantic
Srua all pa1