The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

JAN. lS.-SENATE.-Sher from the
Finance Committee, reported back, and asked
to be discharged from further consideration
of, the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury
relating to the tax on $450,000 scrip divi-
dends on the New York Central Railroad.
Discharged Fenton, from the Committee on
Finance, reported without amendment, the
bill to provide for the reduction of copper
and other token coins. 1t requires the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to redeem in lawful
money all copper, nickel and other base coin
age, when presented in sums of not less than
$50. Passed. Nye offered resolution,
which was adopted, directing the Committee
on Judiciary to examine and report how
far Congress is authorized to regulate the
fare and transportation on railroads between
States under the constitutional provisions
authorizing Congress to regulate commerce
between States. After long debate on af-
fairs in the South, the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-The amendment for paying J. w.
Douglas, the late Acting Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue, the salary of Commissioner
for November and December, was agreed to.
The amendment increasing the salaries of
the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of
the Supreme Court to $500 and $4,000, re-
spectively, was agreed to. Sargent intro
duced bill to enable the people of Wash
ington Territory to form a Constitution and
State Government as a State of the Union.
Referred. Armstrong reported back, with
amendments, the Senate bill authorizing the
sale of certain lands reserved for the use of
the Menomonee tribe Of Indians in Wiscon-
sin. Beck offered an amendment prohibit
ing the making of any contract with Indians
for commission or compensation for services
in regard to the sale of their lands, or obtain
ing their annuities. The amendment was
agreed to, and the bill passed. Armstrong
also reported back the Senate bill for the re-
lief of the Flockbridge and Munroe tribes of
Indians in Wisconsin. Passed. The Post
Office Appropriation bill was then passed.
Brooks was exonerated, by the House, from
the charges made against him by Hastings.
Adjourned.
JAN. l9.-SENATE.-The Army bill
was considered, and after some discussion
passed. The Secretary read letter forward
ed to him by Mr.. Brownlow, on the private
claim Of Mrs. Melinda Harmon, of East Ten
nessee. A bill was passed authorizing the
payment of the claim. The motion Of Nor
ton for the Appointment of special commit
tee of five to investigate the charges of vio-
lence and resistance of laws in the South +,
was agreed to, Casserly's motion to refer the
matter TO the Judiciary Committee having
been lost. Hamlin introduced q bill to Sc
cure cheap transportation Of breadstuffs and
provisions from the West to the seaboard
and uniform rates throughout the year. Re-
ferred. The bill provides that the Govern
ment shall aid in the construction of the
Portland, Rutland, Oswego and Chicago Rail-
road, by loan Of six per cent. thirty year
bonds, to the amount of 900 per mile for
its whole extent from Portland to Chicago
The road is to be double track, and furnished
with steel rails and iron bridges the Post
master General to furnish rates for the trans
portation of freight and passengers. Adj
burned.
HoUsE.-Dawes introduced bill to aid
in the construction of twenty or more first
class steamships. Paine introduced a bill to
allow imported railroad iron to be transport
ed in bond from the port of entry to the place
was to be used. Referred. Van Horn re-
ported bill for the consolidation of Indian
tribes. The bill defining swamp and over
flowed lands came up as the special order of
the day, but on motion of Julian it was post
poned until Feb l. The House then, at $3.50
p. M, went into Committee of the Whole on
the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation
bill, which appropriates 81 43S,000. Cox
moved to increase the salary of the Secretary
of Legation at st. Petersburg from 81 500 to
50 500. Rejected Wood moved for pro-
vision that no part of the contingent fund of
the State Department be used in the effort to
annex the Republic of Dominica. Consider
able opposition was shown, and without dis
posing of the question the Committee rose,
and the House, at 4:45, adjourned.
JAN. observation-disclosures presented
an Equal Rights BILL which was referred.
Fenton introduced, by request, q bill direct
ing the Postmaster General to contract with
the North American Steamship Company, of
New York, for the transportation of mails
between New York and Antwerp, or Bre-
men, touching at Plymouth and Cherbourg,
$l5, 900 a trip. A large number of bills of
minor importance were introduced and re-
ferred, and, after an Executive session, the
Senate adjourned until Monday, Jan. 90.
HoUsE.-The House, at lilo p. m, went
into Committee of the Whole, and resumed
consideration Of the Consular and Diplomatic
Appropriation bill-the question being on
Mr.. Woods motion to limit the expenditures
of the secret service fund Of the State Depart
ment, and that none of it shall be used in
connection with the annexation of San Do
mingo. There was some debate, and, with
out finishing the bill, the House proceeded to
the consideration of the Senate bill to pro-
vide for the government of the District of
Columbia, which, after few amendments,
was passed. Dckey, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported the Army Appro-
priation bill, and it was made the special
order for Thursday next. The bill appro-
PIRATES $27,475,000. Adjourned till the 23d.
JAN. 23.-SENATE.-Ramsay presented
the credentials of Mr.. o. Z. Stearns, elected
by the Legislature Of Minnesota for the un-
expired term Of Hon. d. S. Norton, deceased.
After the reading of the credentials, Mr..
Stearns presented himself and took the oath
of office. Sumner presented and had read
the joint resolution of the Indiana Legisla-
ture instructing the Senators from that State
to vote against the annexation of Domingo.
Ordered printed and laid on the table. On
motion Of Edmunds, Chairman Of the Com
mttee on Pensions, the Senate took up and
passed the bill increasing the pensions Of
disabled soldiers and sailors, and the widows
and children of deceased soldiers and sal
lors. 1t increases all pensions twenty per
cent. for five years from March 4, 1871. On
finished business being Trumbull's bill to
relieve Congressman from importantly and
preserve the independence of the depart
ments of the Government, it was considered.
AT o'clock the Senate went into Executive
session, and half an hour later adjourned.
HoUsE.-Resolution introduced and refer
red: A resolution for a commission to de-
termine the claims for damages on American
commerce by Confederate privateers for
the improvement Of the navigation of the
Wabash river; to authorize the construction
of bridge across the Missouri river at
Booneyille: 10 reduce the rataa of corraepon-