Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
XLIInd CONGRESS, End SESSION.

XLIInd CONGRESS, End SESSION.
SENATE. E.-Thursday, Dec 18th. In the Sen
ate there was another warm debate on the mo
tlon Tor committee OF general investigation
and retrenchment, with plenary powers. Mr.
Schurz said the committee last year had no ide;
that after its exposure of .'the infamous system
OF robbery in the New York custom-house
known as the general order system, = it woult
be maintained to this day. Mr.. Upton refused
to be read out of the party because he did no
fall down and worship the intellectual colossu
who sits in the White House." Laughter
The amendment was voted down by "A to 35
the republicans In the affirmative being Alcorn
Fenton, Logan, Patterson, Robertson. Schurz
Sumner, Upton, Trumbu, West and Wilson
lhe vote is an acknowledged measurement OF
the anti administration strength in the Senate
this session. Mr.. AnthoDy's 'whitewashing'
resolution was then adopted, and Mr.. Trumbull
again offered his amendment in the shape OF
an original resolution saying that several Sena-
tors had said to him they would support it iu
that shape. Pending discussion the Senate
went into executive session.
H0UsE.-ln the House, resolution was a.
dopted asking the Secretary of the Treasury for
Information as to salaries and other ex penses OF
collecting the customs, and then the apportion-
ment bill was taken up, amended and pass d.
1t provides that after March 8, 1873 the House
OF Representatives shall consist of-2S3 mem
bers. Maryland will have SIX members, gain
OF one. The relative weight of the Mississippi
Valley and Southern States in the national
council Is increased, and that Of the Northern
Atlantic seaboard diminished New States to
have Representatives additional to the 2S3; no
new State to be admitted till it possesses the
population entitled to one Representative. In
States whose delegations are increased there
may be elections to the Forty-third Congress
by the State at large, unless the Legislature
suall first re-district it. After the year 1876,
Representatives shall be elected in all the States
on the tuesday next after the first Monday OF
November.
SENATE.-Friday, Dec 18th. Not in ses-
sion.
HOUsE.-A resolution of inquiry as to the
expenses OF printing public documents, and
abolishing said printing 10 future was referred
to the Committee on Public Expenditures. A
number OF private bills we're disposed of. A
petition from certain cltlZens of Baltimore in
relation to the tonnage tax on vessels was pre-
sented, and also memorial as reference to
portable dry dock. A bill was passed, after
discussion, authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to purchase the remainder of the
square on which the Chicago Postoffice aad
Custom House We're located, for the erection
a new fre-prOof building thereon, and appro-
prlating 81 0U0, QUO therefor with an amend
ment providing that the cost of the site and
building shall not exceed 81 600 900 Also,
bills to pay VIM. 2 Preston 81, ,437. .93 for ex-
penses incurred In contesting the seat of James
NJ. Harris, of Maryland, In the Thlrty-tifth
Congress, and to defray certain expenses incurr-
ed under the Treaty of Washington The lat
ter calls for an appropriation of over $500, 900
a Oil Was also passed appropriating $23, ,75I4S
to supply deficiency In the appropriation tor
salaries and contingent expenses in the Post
office department, caused by the defacation of
L. A. Mccartney. The House then adjourned
until Monday next.
SENATE Monday. Dec 1Sth.-There was
another lengthy debate upon the proposed com
mlttee on investigation and the personnel of
the committee, as agreed upon last week In eau
Gus Senator Casserly was added to the CON
mlttee, thus, with Mr. Bayard, making two
democrats on It, Mr.. Anthony offered al
amendment adopting the objects of Mr.. Trum-
bull iustruc ions as the business of the com
mlttee, which Was finally agreed to-yeas 29.
nays IL. The committee on elections reported
favorabiy upon the claim of Thos NJ. Norwood
to seat In the Senate from Georgia, rejecting
the claim of Foster Biodgett.
HOUSE.-A resolution was adopted recurring
the library committee to report an Information Iai
bill also resolution declaring the
sympathy of the House in The attempts of the
French to procure the blessings of republican
government. A bill was introduced by Mr..
Kltchle, OF Maryland, to reimburse the Meth
odlst Episcopal congregation of Oldtown, A le-
ghany county, tor their church, destroyed bg
cavalry also bills to abolish the income tax, to
make treasury notes receivable for customs
dllf IN nj = ha 1E Il 4
cables by requiring the United States to endorse
their bonds f; also bill conferring suffrage on
women, and protecting the privilege by the
penalties and machlnery of the enforcement
act"
SENATE. HOUSE bill appropriating 81 000,-
600 to public buildings in Chicago was slightly
amended and passed. A great deal of work
was blocked out for the new committee ON in
vestlgallon and rerenchment, and Mr. Conk-
lin s resolution for inquiry into the general
order system of the New York custom house
was amended so as to overhaul that institution
from beginning to end, aud passed without
dissenting voice. A number of important e.
nancial and other bills were introduced, among
them one for constitutional amendment reg
ulatlng public education; also a notice from
Mr.. Sumner of proposed amendment making
the President ineligible for but one term. The
general amnesty bill was made the special Or
der for to-day. Some preliminary action was
had towards bringing up the recusant Ku- Klux
witnesses from the South
HOUSE. The bill providing commission to
investigate the subject of labor In the United
States came up as the regular order, and was
debated without result to the adjournment -
The debate was suspended while the Senate
amendments to the Chicago appropriation bill
we're G incurred 10, deficiency bill appropria-
ting $27 S45 to the expenses of the travelling
ku-Klux committee was passed.