The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-01-20
summary of Congressional Proceedings.

SENATE, Jan. 4th.-Amone 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,
000. 900 to $500, 900, 600. and making the inter-
est on the same payable quarterly. &
resolution calling for information ON San Do
mingo matters was adopted without objection.
--SOEe discussion was had on the bill for the
relief Of congressman from importunity IN
regard to official appointments, but it went
over without a vote.-After some further bust
ness of secondary importaIs, the Senate adj
journed.
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 dependent relations of those
who died in the service Of their country
Wood offered a resolution calling upon the
President for all correspondence, papers, de-,
relating to San Domingo. This created some
discussion pending which the House adjourned.
SENATE, Jan. 5th.-Several bills were 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 salary Of "a 900 per annum,
are to visit the Indian tribes and inspect their
sanitary, industrial and educational condition.
"A bill was passed. providing that hereafter
no tax shall be imposed or collected upon any
ttbdistributable sum added to the contingent
fund OF any insurance company, nor on un-
earned premiums fecsiyed for risks assumed.
"A resolution was adopted calling for the cor
respondence between the State Department
and Minister Motley, relating to his duties and
= L. TIL KIN
bursement of j. NJ. Best, of Paducah, Ky., for
the destruction of his dwelling house during
the war by the Union forces was passed, after
considerable discussion. II appropriates S25,-
900 for the purpose. Adjourned to Nouday.
HoUsE.-Gen. Schenck's resignation Of his
seat was presented.-Orth, of Indiana, was
appointed to fill the vacancy on the committee
of Ways and Means, caused by Schenck 5 res
ignation.-SOme time was spent in discussing
the resolutions relative to Paraguayan affairs
and Minister Washturn, but they went over
without q vote.--A bill was passed giving Mr..
Schenck, United States Minister to England
an additional allowance Of 90, 500 per year for
private amanuenses, rendered necessary on
account of Mr. Schenck's partial disability Of
his right hand from wounds received in battle
Adjourned.
HOUSE, Jan. s.-Several unimportant bills
were introduced when the House resumed the
consideration of tho resolutions reported by
the Committee on Foreign Affairs IN reference
20 the dispute between Minister Charles A
Washburhe and the late Government of Para
griay. After some discussion they were ADOPT
ed. They declare Hear Admiral s. w. Cor
don, in neglecting to aid Mr.. Washburne IN
reaching the government to which he was &C.
credited, failed to discharge his duty as Com
mander Of ths south Atlantic Squadron; that
Messrs. Bliss and Mastsrniah were members of
the personal suite Of Mr.. Washburns, and
were, therefore, under the law of nations, en-
titled to the protection of the United States I;
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 70 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 a refusal or
neglect 10 render such assistance when requir-
ed, or any discourtesy of such naval officers
toward diplomatic officers, shall be a subject
of inquiry and punishment by the Naval De-
partment Additional resolutions were adopt
ed directing court of inquiry for the trial of
Admirals Gordon and Davis; disapproving of
the conduct Of Rear Admiral Chas. H. Davis
in delaying for 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 neglecting to aid Mr..
Washburn in reaching the Government to
which he was accredited, failed to discharge
his duties as commander of the South Atlantic
Squadron. Adjourned.