Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-02-15
UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
SENATE.


Petitions presented for the passage OF
the Supplementary Civil Rights bill.
Mr. Conklingof New York, gave notice
that he would call up the pending Joint
resolution (NIr. Sumner's) to limit the
President to one term, and would address
the Senate on the subject.
Resolution adopted to admit Mr.. Gold
thwaite, of Alabama, to seat in the
Senate.
Mr.. Cameron introduced q bill to
admit six japanese students to West
Point, which elected some opposition
from the Democrats side of the house.
The bill was amended, making them lia-
BILE TO the rules rs other cadets. The
bill then passed the first and second read
ing, and was about to be put on its third
when an objection was made and the
bill went over
Mr.. Carpenter introduced a resolution
declaring that any attempt to take the
appointing power away from the Presi-
dent was unconstitutional. He notified
The Senate that he would argue the point
some day.
A large number of petitions from
several OF the States for the reduction Of
the thrift to strictly revenue basis, and
especially for the repeal of the protec-
tive duties on iron, coal and salt.
Several petitions were presented ask
ing for reductions in the duty on coal,
iron and salt. Chinese residents at San
Francisco send petition for reduction
Of the duty on rice, which was not re-
ceiyed on the ground that, coming from
foreigners, it should be addressed to the
Secretary of State
Petitions of temperance nature were
introduced one forbidding the election
to office of any person who drinks intoxi-
eating liquors
Petition presented of citizens of Bos-
ton for national prohibitory law.
Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, from the Com
mittee on Finance, reported n bill to
repeal the duty on iron and salt, with
amendments, which he asked to have
printed, and moved it's recommittal. By
II vote of 81 to 10 the bill was recon-
mitted
Bill introduced to indemnify Kentucky
and other States for expenses incurred
by them in the defence Of the United
States.
Bill introduced to admit tea and coffee
free of duty, also q bill for the encour-
agement o. the fisheries.
HOUSE,
The Coinage bill was debated at some
length, after which it was recommitted.
The Texas contested election was taken
up, and Mr. Clarke admitted,
Mr.. Townsend Dem, N. ~ introduced
a bill for the sale of useless vessels and
other materials in the navy, and the con-
struction of 20 new vessels, Referred.
Several important bills were introduced,
including one to allow respondents in
criminal courts III the United States
courts to testify in their own behalf, one
to remove all political disabilities, others
the tenure office acts, to abolish the
Office of Superintendent of Indian Affairs,
and TO allow American registration of
toreign-buiit vessels. Mr.. Hale's motion
to remit the duty on all articles used in
the construction of American ships
was discussed for a short time. Mr.. Dawes
offered an amnesty bill, but the House
refused to suspend the rules-yeas, 13l
nays. 70-less than two-thirds The pro-
posed bill removes all disabilities i'm
posed by the third section Of the four
tecnth amendment.
Bill passed appropriating 5000 for
the employment of six experienced surf
men at each alternate life-saving station
on the New jersey coast.
The House appropriated $4,000 for
and marking the boundary
between the territory of the United States
and possessions of Great Britain, from
the Lake of the Woods to the Summit of
the Rocky Mountains.
The House discussed at length the
question of American shipping interests
without decisive action.
A bill was passed providing that the
time from which pensions heretofore
granted, or that may hereafter be grant
ed, shall commence, shall be the date
of the discharge or of the death Of the
soldier, and extending the time for ap-
plication for pensions to July ], 1874.
Another bill was passed-109 to So
the principle of granting
Il pension to the widow of n soldier after
she had contracted a second marriage
and entered second widowhood
During the week the tariff bill was
under discussion daily.