Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-02-08

The constitutional question as TO the
right Of the Senate to originate the bill
repeating the income tax, is in a fair way
Of settlement, by a conference between
the two houses. The Senate adopted the
wiser and simpler plan Of nOn-concur-
ring in the reasons assigned by the
House against the authority Of the SEN
ate to originate such q measure, and OF
asking a committee Of conference on the
point in controversy. The House sub
Seduently agreed to that arrangement,
with the understanding, however, that
the merits of the bill itself are not to
come within the scope Of the commit
tees deliberations.
The subject which occupied most OF
the time OF the House, on wednesday,
was a bill to facilitate persons who had
served in the army during the lats war,
to procure a homestead on the public
land. It changes the homestead laws in
regard to them, by allowing them twelve
months, after locating their hOmesteads,
within which to commence settlements;
deducts from the five years settlement
required from other settlers, the time
spent in the service, and allows them to
receive land warrants, which they can
assign, with all the adTantagessscured
by the bill. In the case Of pensioners,
it does not require any settlement, but
giAes them them the land warrants with
out it, which are also assignable. Its
advantages extend also to the widows
and orphans of soldiers. The principal
objection made to the bill was that while
ostensiblV for the benefit Of those who
served in the army and navy, II viii
only tend to facilitate the operations Of
land spectators, who viii buy up the
certificates for a mere tTifis. n will
be OF no practical advantage TO the
classes in whose interest it is professedly
1 framed. The bill, however, was passed,
with only two votes in the negative.
There was a lively time in the House
OF Representatives, on the Senate bill to
abolish the test oath, as applicable to
persona who are not disqualified from
holding Office under the fourteenth con-
s%titutional amendment.
The Senate at last got through the
tedious question Of the Georgia Senator
shin, as to one Of the claimants, at least,
and admitted to his seat, Mr.. Joshua
! Hill, who, at the outbreak Of the rebel
lion. was a Union member from that
State in the House Of Representatives.
The question as TO who Mr.. Hilrs col
league is still open. The Senate also
passed q concurrent resolution recon-
mending a generous system Of organized
charity TO relieve the sufferings caused
by war betWeen France and Germanyt
and referred TO the Committee on For
eign Relations, q resolution declaring
sympathy of American people in the
effort to establish a republican govern
ment in France.
The friends OF reform in the land grant
policy Of the gOvernment-thOse who
are opposed TO the giving away OF large
tracts Of the public domain for the bene-
&c Of railroad cOmpanies-had a triumph
in the House, in the defeat Of a bill
reviving a land grant 10 a railroad in
Wisconsin. This vote is a pretty fair
indication Of the fate Of all measures OF
a like character that may come before
the House.
The Senate, on Friday, after a lengthy
discussion, passed a bill granting PEN
sions to all the surviving soldiers Of the
war Of 1872, who served three months,
and TO such widows Of soldiers as were
married at the time Of that This
bill Will net cause a very heavy draft on
the Treasury, and there are few who
will not approve Of the national tribute
10 the veterans OF the second war OF
independence. This is the same meas
ure that passed the House last session,
but amendments have been attached 70
It. It viii go back to the HonsS for con-
RurFeHcs.