Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

SECOND SESSION OF 41ST CONGRESS.
SENATE. W Wednesday, January llth.-A
memorial was presented by Mr.. Vickers, ask
ing pensions for certain widows of soldiers who
served in the war of 1872
A bill to amend the general corporation act for
the District of Columbia, and also the act ex-
empting certain property In the District of Co
lumbia from taxation was introduced and refer
red to the Committee on the District Of Co
lumbia. The Senate resolution providing for
commission to visit San Domingo, with the
House amendment, was taken Up. A long de-
bate ensued, after which number of amend
ments were offered and voted down. The res
olution, as amended by the House, was then
passed-yeas 81, nays none, and the Senate
adjourned.
House.. The Diplomatic Appropriation bill
was made the special order for Friday. Seve-
raj bills reported from the Committee on Agri-
culture were disposed of. The death of Hon.
John Covode, of Pennsylvania, was announced,
and committee was appointed to attend his
funeral. A bill to prevent cruelty to animals
transported on railroads was discussed until the
expiration Of the morning hour. A bill was
passed appropriating $54l 900 for the improve
ment of the Louisville and Portland Canal and
the Des Moines Rapids. The Legislative Ap-
preparation bill was amended and passed. A
number of bills and resolutions were intro
duced and disposed Of temporarily. A message
from the President, enclosing the report made
by General Geo. B. Mcclellan, in 1864, on
San Domingo, was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
SENATE Thursday, Jan. l2th.-A resolu-
ton was adopted directing the Secretary OF the
Treasury to inform the Senate what States
proportions Of the direct tax levied by an act
Of Congress of August, 1861, &C., Sc. A
memorial was read and referred to the Judici-
airy Committee, signed by Mrs. General Sher-
man and one thousand other ladies, protesting
against any extension of the suffrage to the fe-
males of the country. The House joint reso-
luton, appropriating $250.O00 for the i'm
provement of the Louisville and Portland Ca
nal, and $34l, 900 for the completion OF the
Des MoiEe Rapids, was taken up and passed.
4 bill authorizing the appointment OF com
mission to investigate the claims arising from
depredations committed by or upon the lndi-
ans In Kansas was amended and passed.
The discussion Of the bill prohibiting men-
bers Of Congress from soliciting appointments
was taken up, aud Dir. Morton spoke in oppo-
sition to il. Pending discussion, the Senate
went into executive session and at Its close ad-
journed.
HOUSE. The bill for the prevention of cru
city to animals while in transitu upon railroads
and other conveyances was taken up, and
Messrs Archer and Swann, of Maryland, made
speeches in opposition to it. Several other
members followed. and the previous question
was demanded. Pending vote the morning
hour expired and the bill went over.
A resolution was adopted reciting the recent
ejecment of three members Of the fourth class
at West Point by members Of the first class,
and directing the Committee on Military AT
fairs to investigate the subject, The consider
alton Of the Legislative Appropriation bill was
resumed, and several amendments we're made.
Pending its discussion the House adjourned.