Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-19
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
XLIInd CONGRESS. 2nd SESSION


SENATE. Tuesday, March l2.-Appropria-
tions were considered all day.
Mr. Johnston introduced bill providing for
the payment OF claims for rent arising in States
declared to be In rebellion; also, to provide an
adequate supply of circulating medium for
States needing it.
Ii directs the Secretary of the Treasury, on
application OF Governors of States, to supply
them with treasury notes to an amount which.
in connection with the national bank notes al
ready furnished, shall make eight dollars for
each inhabitant; provided real estate security
is given for the repayment of such sums in if
teen years,
HOUSE. In the matter of amnesty it was
ordered that hereafter no bills shall be passed
unless the names are read. The trouble grows
from the name of Governor Vance. of North
Carolina, which is in one of the House bills
Mr. james NJ. Leach presented Vance's
name and he claimed that he had violated no
pledge or understanding in including the name
in the list
The Yerba Buena bill was recommitted TO
the Pacific Railroad Committee.
A long debate occurred over subsidies to
steamboat lines.
Post-ofiice appropriations were discussed I'M
til adjournment
SENATE - Wednesday, March l3. The an
pointment of Committee of Investigation re-
garding appointments to office. &c. was con-
sidered at some length, but without action.
The discussion OF appropriations was resu:n-
ed.
HOUSE. The bill forbiding the enlistment of
minors was passed.
The bill removing certain cases, in which
Federal officers are defendants, to the Federal
courts, was, after long discussion, recommit-
ted.
The Pacific steamship subsidy bill was re-
sumed, and long aud excited debate ensued.
with no action.
SENATE. Thursday. March 14.-Most of the
day was used in wrangling over precedence. -
Mr.. Sherman wanted the tariff bill; Mr.. Cole
wanted appropriations; Mr. Chandler wanted
commerce, while other senators pressed COM
paratively unimportant measures to precedence.
Mr.. Trumbull said it would be folly to pass the
tariff bill, because the House would table it.
The salaries of the district judges were raised
to S., 900 with a clause authorizing their trans
fer from one district to another as the exgencies
of the service required. This goes back to the
House for correction.
The conference committees report, giving
st. Louis So, 900, was passed.
The tariff bill was read. Mr.. Scott of Penn
sylvania, gave notice of an amendment for free
importation of tea and coffee.
IIOUoD' - ue UiAi paying NauSdS S0ZI ,UUU
for war expenses was passed.
The bill authorizing the Southern Claims
Commission to appoint special commissioners
to take evidence was also passed
A large number Of private bills reported by
the Committee on Claims were passed
The conference committee reported bill CIV
ing st. Louis $500, 600 for the site and 81, 75O;-
900 for public buildings; which was passed.
SENATE Friday, March 15-After dispos-
ing of some unimportant business, Mr. Trum-
bull made personal ex planaton denying GER
tain charges made in Michigan paper accusing
him of having taken an illegal fee in the Nc
Arde case and that this fee had Influenced his
vote in the impeachment trial OF President
johnson. He said that the charges, entirely
unfounded, were trumped up because of his re-
cent opposition to fraud and corruption, and In
timated that they ipstigated from Senator
Chandler. Mr.. Chandler replied in very per-
sonal address, and was called to order by the
Speaker during its delivery. The Tariff bill
was taken up, and Mr.. Sherman made speech
in explanation of its provisions. Without trans
acting any additional business of importance
the Senate adjourned until Monday.
House, st. Croix Railroad bill was
amended and passed, the title being changed to
a bill to declare forfeited to the United States
certain lands granted to the State of Wisconsin,
to aid in the construction of a railroad, and to
reserve the same under the Homestead law to
actual settlers.