Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-01-03
F0RTY.FIRsT ooNeREss.
Third Session.

following Congressional news:-
Monday, December 10.
In the Senate the House bin designed to
correct anaambiguity in the law relating TO the
tax OF sugar came up, but its consideration
was objected to by Senator Vickers, Of Mary
land, who wished time to look into the matter,
as he had received letter from large sugar
dealer IN Baltimore protesting against the
proposition. A bill was introduced 20 further
subsidiGe the Pacific railroads with government.
treIghts. so as to secure the more speedy paw.
ment of the interest they owe the United
States on bonds issued 70 them BY the gov
ernment-that Is, to give them work which
can be done cheaper otherwise, in order to
obtain from their greedy clutches what they
justly o"e and refuse to pay Senator SchuFs's
amnesty resolution was committed 70 the select
committee on disabilities but the motion will
be Iec0nsidered to enable several Senators 20
speak upon it.
Taesday, December Goth.
The sugar tax bill of the House came up in
the Senate. and Mr. Vickers endeayored TO
have il referred 20 the finance committee. but
failed. Aletter was read from r r. Xix
land. Of the firm Ut Kirkland. Chase>(E Co.,
Of Baltimore. showing that the bill would in
crease the duty three.qunrters of a cent on
sugar from Porto Rico. There was long
discussion on the ST, Domingo annexation
scheme with References to Mr.. MOrton's prop.
Osition for n commission 10 visit the island.
Mr.. Thurman argued shat there was no power
in the constitution to annex territory By a
Joint resolution of Congress. except il be an
Orgnni2ed State. as in the case of Texas
The House spent the day in talking over
Mr.. Buffers s".called amnesty bill. and re-
solved TO devote Thursday. the day nf the ad.
jourument for the holidays. to debate.
Wednesday,, December 81.
There was en- exciting and interesting debate
in the Senate on st. Domingo, which lasted
till after 8 O'Clock p. NJ, aud was continued
in the evening. Mr. Sumner opened the ses.
sion with personal explanation of his posi-
ton towards the President. and arrayed him.
selfhOidly against the annexation policy Of the
administration. Senator Morton. on the other
side took up the lance for the President aud
st. Domingo. The duel is quite as interesting
rs the famous squirt between Senators Drake
and Schurz' The House bill to change the
tax sugar was passed, and now only awaits
the Presidents signature to become a law.
In the House it was evident from the first
that Generals Buffers so. called amnesty bill
would be defeated, so he had it postponed till
January IL.
The Senate remained in session NIL night
and until dO'clock Thursday morning debating
Senator Murton's resolutions for the appGfnt>
men: OF comm ssi"ners to proceed to San
Domingo and impure into the condition of that
country. Senator Summers proposition was
to refer the matter to the committee on
foreign affairs. n majority Of whom oppose the
measure. and would have smOthcred,it in the
committee room. After AN exciiing debate
aud the rejection Of number of diiatOry mo.
tinns. at o'clock on Thursday morning. the
resolutions of Senator Morton were passed.
majority Of the Senate thus endorsing thu
administration. The vote for the resolutions
was SO yeas. 3 nays. The republicans voting
with Mr.. Sumner against the resolutions, we're
Morrill,, of Vermont, Patterson, SchuIE and
Upton.
Thursday, December 90.
Mr.. Schurz presented the credentials of
Hon. D. T. Jcwett. appointed Senator by Gov
McCurg, of MisOuri. to succeed MIR. Drake.
recently made chief Justice of the Court of
Claims. The new Senator was at once sworn
iE.
The Senate then went into executive session
and remained with closed doors ill / O'Clock.
when Mr.. Lewis. of Virginia, again tried to
have the House bill passed removing certain
POLITICAL disabilities of Virginians. but Mr..
Trumbull renewed his amendment for general
amnesty. aud in the midst of the debate that
followed the death of Hon. VIM. Smith, a
member Of the House. was formally reported.
and eul"gies were pronounced after which the
Senate adjourned until the 4th of January
next
There was nothing hut debate in the House
Only twenty-five or thirty members were pres
ent. MIR. Jones. of Kentucky. spoke On the
amnesty bill. Mr.. Porter. of Virginia. fol-
lowed ON the same subject. also Mr.. Bird of
New Jersey. Mr.. Booker of Virginia and Mr..
Barry Of Virginia. The House at 2 25 p.
NJ. adjourned to Wednesday, January 4rh,
1871.
War News from Europe.