Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-27
sTAUNToN VA, TUESDAY FEBRUARY o. 1872
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
XLIInd CONGRESS, End SESSION.

SENATE. Saturday, Feb. 1.-THE Senat,
was not In session to-day.
HOUSE. day in the House was devoted
to speech-making, and addresses were deliver
ed upon the questions of female suffrage, the
postal telegraph scheme, marriage In Utah
Civil Service Reform, &c.
SENATE Monday, Feb. 19.-In the Senate,
minority and majority reports of the Ku-Kluz
committee were submitted. The proposed in
vestlgation into the sale of arms by French
agents was further debated. Mr.. Conkling
gave notice of an amendment that the commit
tee inquire whether any American citizen had
held communication with any French agent In
tended to defeat the measures of the United
States, which is statutory misdemeanor He
contended that the Emperor of Germany might
be Influenced by the present inquiry to decide
adversely to the United States in the San Juan
boundary question, in which he is umpire, and
so the proposed investigation, which is inspir-
ed by information from foreign agent, may
defeat the measures Of the United States.
House, the House the usual Monday
bills were introduced. The Ku-Klux commit
tee submitted the two reports presented in the
Senate. but the House refused to print the
minority report, on the ground that it contain
ed unparliamentary language in charging Con-
gress with bad faith toward the reconstructed
port might be printed, provided all unpara-
mentary language were stricken out Mr.. Cox,
OF the committee, protested against the mutila-
tion of the report. A bill was passed repeating
the duty on tea and coffee, Mr.. Kerr pointing
out that the purpose of the bill was to sacrifice
a large revenue, cheaply collected, In order to
retain other duties In the interest of the ''Pen-
nsyivaDia protectionists.
SENATE. Tuesday, Feb. 2O.-After dispos-
ing of some business of no general interest, the
discussion of Mr.. Sumner resolution, relative
to the sale OF arms to France, was resumed, and
Mr.. Schurz made a speech in reply to the ad-
dresses of Messrs. Morton and Conkling. He
demonstrated that the sales of arms had been
conducted in a manner directly contrary to law,
and that certain officials of the Government
were concerned in them from improper motives,
and declared that party discipline will not avail
to prevent the uprising against jobbery and cor
ruption Mr.. Morton again attempted to de-
fend the Government by declaring that the
charges were only made to influence the German
vote, and that Mr.. Schurz was opposed to the
Administration On account OF the removal OF
his personal friends from Office. These state
ments were promptly and forcible denied by
Mr.. Schurz Pending debate, the Senate ad-
journed.
HoUsE.-The Diplomatic Appropriation bill
was then taken up in Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Swami addressed the House upon the bill,
and In the course of his remarks denounced
Postmaster General Creswell for his connection
with the infamous Chorpenning claim. Mr..
Sargent essayed defence of that official, but
was at once confuted by Mr.. Dawes. Pending
consideration of the bill the committee rose,
and the House adjourned.