The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-04-20
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, on Friday, the principal
features were the introduction of new bills
and a short discussion relative to the
nce-Abbott contested election case. The
House continued the consideration of the
legislature and judicial appropriation bill,
confirming its action in reducing the civil
service and Capitol grounds improvement
sums.
In the Senate, on Monday, petitions were
presented from citizens of San Francisco,
asking for subsidies to steamship service in
the Pacific, and protesting against the ses-
sion of Yerba Buena Island to the Central
Pacific Railroad Company. Wednesday
was assigned for the consideration of the
bill permitting the President to suspend
the writ of habeas corpus until the end OF
this Congress. Mr.. Thurman argued
against the claim of Mr. Abbott to the
North Carolina Senatorship and the sub,
ject was postponed for week, and the
Deficiency Appropriation bill was taken
up. A number of amendments were
adopted, among which was one reducing
the appropriation for work on the Balti-
more Custom House and Post Office from
$50, 900 to $25. 900, but final action on the
bill was not reached. In the House of
Representatives among the bills intro
electoral votes at Presidential elections by
both Houses of Congress- and another
authorizing the appointment of Commits
sion on the part of the United States to
act with a similar body on the part of
Canada, in taking measures for the i'm
provement of the navigation of the St.
Lawrence river. The Supplementary Civil
Rights bill went through its regular Mon,
II rnnrpinr'c of hoinr laid
for a week A resolution was passed di-
recting the President to appoint Commits
sion of three persons to investigate the
raids ant depredations of Mexicans on the
Texan border. The committee which has
been investigating the arms sales reported
all the transactions to have been lawful
and legitimate on the part of. this Govern
ment and its officers. The River and Har-
Dor Appropriation bill was passed, and the
House adjourned.
In the Senate on Tuesday, bill was re
ported for the sale or redemption of lands
held by the Government which have been
cOnfiscated for the non-payment of taxes,
and was passed. A resolution was intro
duced and referred to the Foreign Affairs
Committee, permitting diplomatic official Is
to receive testimonials from the Emperor
of Germany. A bill was passed to pro-
mote the development of the mining re-
sources of the United States. The Senate
went into Executive sessi on pending action
on the bill to establish mail and steamship
| service between California and Australia.
| In the House of Representatives the Tariff
! bill was reported from the Committee on
Ways and Means and made the special Or
der for Tuesday. After the explanation
of it by Mr.. Dawes had been made. the
House refused to concur with the Senate
on the St. Croix Land Grant bill, and then
adjourned.
In the Senate on Wednesday, the bill
making an appropriation of $1,000 for an
obvervation of the transit of Venus across
the sun in 1874 was passed. The Senate
passed number of bills from the Judiciary
Committee, the only important one OF
which was that amending and perfectine
the Enforcement act. The bill pensioning
disabled Judges of the United States was
rejected. In the House of Representatives
the bill regulating the seizure of private
books and papers in suits for violation OF
| the revenue laws was passed. The bill for
the preservation Of forests on the public
lands was discussed and laid over. The
bill appropriating 1881. for the support
of the Military Academy was passed. MI
| Willard introduced bill to reform the
Civil Service, and addressed the House in
favor of it.
In the Senate, on Thursday, petition
was presented from the colored people OF
South Carolina asking to be aided in emf
grating to Liberia. Mr.. Robertson desired
to have a day assigned for the consideration
of an Amnesty bill, when Mr.. Sumner gave
notice that on the same day he should
renew his Civil Rights bill. Mr.. Bucking.
ham asked that the subject of the Custom
House reform be postponed until the
| Investigation Committee makes its report
The bill to fund the debt of Washington
and limit future debt and taxation wa.
passed. Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to
admit colored children to all the public
| schools Of Washington and Georgetown
pending vote on which the Senate ad
jeurned. In the House of Representatives
the bill granting the right OF way and q
| land subsidy to the Great Salt Lake anc
Colorado River Railroad Company, which
was opposed by Norman influence, wa,
passed. Mr.. Wizards bill for reform il
the Civil Service was taken up and a de
bate followed, during which Mr.. Bute
| sharply criticised the scheme of the Com
mission. Without reaching a vote til,
| House adjourned.