Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-04-16
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
XLIInd CONGRESS, End SESSION.


SENATE. April 6.-The Senate
was not in session.
HoUsE.-The day in the House was devoted
to general debate, and numerous speeches were
delivered upon general topics The House at
o clock P. NJ, adjourned.
SENATE Monday, April S.-The report of
the committee of the Kansas Legislature on the
alleged corrupt election of the two Senators
from that State was referred to the committee
on privileges and elections. The message of
the House returning the Senate tariff bill was
referred to the finance committee without de-
bate. The House bill to break up the practice
of straw bidding for mail transportation was
amended and passed A number of private
bills, chiefly reimbursing losses sustained at the
hands of federal troops during the war, were
passed.
HoUsE.-The usual Monday mass of bills
was introduced. among them one proposing an
amendment of the constitution to make SEN
ators elective directly by the people The sup
Elemental civil rights bills was ordered to be
engrossed by vote of 100 yeas to n nays The
river and harbor appropriation bill was report
ed and made the special order for tomorrow
Mr.. Archer presented the petition of residents
of Havre de Grace for an appropriation of $50,
900 to deepen the channel of the Susquehanna
river A resolution declaring that the public
lands shall be disposed of only to actual settlers
was defeated by vote of 81 yeas to "a nays
Bill was passed to regulate the Anacostia and
Potomac Railroad Company in the District Of
Columbia The legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill, as amended by the
Senate, was taken up, and the clause giving
$4,000 for the publication of laws in newspa-
pers was stricken out.
SENATE.-Tuesday, April 9.-The Baltimore
and Potomac railroad bill, granting depot on
Pennsylvania avenue, Washington city. was re-
ferred to the committee on the District of
Columbia, understood to be favorable to its pas
sage, instead of to the adverse committee on
public buildings and grounds, by vote of 3S
to Is. A number of bills from the military
committee were passed, among them providing
against the enlistment of minors, extending
time for filing bonnty claims, providing sys-
tenn of (savings) deposits by soldiers, and CIV
ing 800 bounty to every volunteer who enlist
ed prior to July %, 1861, and was actually
mustered In.
HoUsE.-A bill was introduced to prevent
railroad companies from making discrimina-
tions as to freights and passengers The bill
was passed providing for the insurance by the
Postofice Department Of one cent postal cards
LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE While the
State of Virginia is holding out inducements to
immigration, and inviting capital and enterprise
from all parts of the world, to come and secure
homes and fortunes within her borders, she
does not over-estimate the advantages and re-
sources which her great diversity of surface,
soil and climate-her fertile valleys and noun
tains, rich in mineral wealth, present. And yet.
we occasionally hear of persons who are not
content with the unequalled advantages afford
ed by their native State, and aim to do better
by seeking homes in the great West. Some
few perhaps may be smiled upon by dame for
tune in their new homes and relations, and
their success is heralded by Western land
agents, land spectators, and railroad and trans
portation companies, but the short and simple
annals of the poor" and less fortunate, who are
fifty to one of the whole number who seek their
fortunes in this mythical Edorado, are never
told Many doubtless would gladly return if
they had the means. Their story is not often
fication, while those who proclaim the success
of the few are deferred by selfinterest.
We have heard of several young Virginians
who propose going to the Black Hills, and 9TH
er gold fields Of the West, this Spring, and it
is for their benefit that these lines are written.
We advise them to consider the matter we'll be-
fore final action. Compare the mild climate
and refined society of the Old Dominion with
the snow-storms, severe winters, and rude life
of the frontier.
The following extract from letter from Gen.
Hancock is we'll worthy of perusal.-Lynch
Nuqinian.
Letters are being received at these head
quarters from various parts of the u. s.; max
ing inquiries in regard to the reputedlgold dis
coveries In the section of country west of the
Missouri River known as the BLACK Hills Of
Dakota" and asking, also, if expeditions, pre-
sumed to be now in process Of organization, will
be permitted to penetrate that region. The
section of country referred to is set apart as an
Indian reservation, by treaty with the Sioux,
and the faith of the Government is understood
to be pledged to protect it from the encroach-
ments of, and settlement or occupation by, the
whites. Accordingly, any party or "expedi-
tions" which may organize for the purpose of
visiting or prospecting" the region in ques-
ton, will be engaging in an unlawful enterprise,
the consummation of which it will be my duty,
under the law. and my instructions, to prevent,
by the use if necessary, of the troops at my dis
posal. In this connection | may mention that
[ am just In receipt of an official letter from
Gen. Stanley in command, subordinate to me,
on the Missouri River, in which he refers, in-
cidentally, to the Black Hills gold reports, in
which he says, no gold had been found there. !"
The following stories are excellent hits at
eoroo aoctarian neouliarities and will he epiov-