Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-25
EVENING STAR.
CONGREsSIONAL
Conclusion Yesterday ProceedIpgs.
SENATE-After our report closed


SENATE-After our report closed
MT. summer presented petitions, signed by
over l3,OcO citizens of the United States, pro-
testing against any religious amt ndment to the
constitution. Referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
Mr.. Morton, from the committee on privileges
and elections, reported a resolution paying to
Joseph 4. Abbott, late contestant from North
Carolina, compensation as Senator from March
:, ls'l, to April q, 1872, and the mileage each
way.
The unfinished business. being the deficiency
appropriation bill, was taken up. The question
was on the motion of Mr. Bayard to lay on the
table the amendment of Mr.. Morrill,, of VT,
limiting the Jurisdiction OF the Court of Claims
in reference to suits brought for captured or
abandoned property The vote resulted in ayes
p, noes % The Vice President voted in the
negative, so the motion to lay on the table was
lost. The question then REQUIRED on the amend
ment, when Mr.. Hill opposed il and Mr.. Trum-
bull favored 4. Mr.. Sherman expressed himself
as Tor abOlishing the Court OF Claims, II Con-
gress had not or could not limit Its jurisdiction
To suits hToughe by loyal men.
Mr.. Ames, from the committee on military
affairs, reported a bill to repeal 50 much OF
section six of the army appropriation act OF
March 3, 1853, of prohibits promouon In the
staff departments of the army, with proviso
that nothing herein contained shall authorize
appointments TO places made vacant by promo
Mr.. AIcorn moved to amend Mr.. MorrilIs
amendment to the deficiency appropriation bill
PToridcd, That the provisions of this section
shall not extend to claims for property seized or
taken by the military forces of the United
States, or any officer OF the same, or seized
taken or impressed by any agent or agents of
the United States government at any time after
the proclamation by the President declaring the
war to have ceased; but claims for property so
seized or taken may be prosecuted before the
Court OF Claims by any citizen of the United
States within twelve months from the approval
of this act.
Pending action. the Senate went into execu-
tive session, and then adjourned.
HOUSE-After our report closed
The substitute Goat Island bill was read a third
time and passed-yeas 101, nays So.
Mr.. Cox asked unanimous consent to amend
the title Of the bill so that il shall read ga bill
to give to railroad company over five millions
of property without any consideration" but OBJ
lection was made.
Mr.. Hazieton, wis y from the committee on
elections, reported resolution to pay ID. s. Good
Ing 81 OsO for expenses incurred in contesting his
Claim to the seat from the fourth Indiana dis
trict; and it was adopted.
The House then decided to take up the report
OF the committee on foreign affairs in the case
of DIR. HOuard. The resolution was read declar-
ing Houare an American citizen, and demand
ing his release and the restoration of his prop
erty.
Mr.. Banks then stated the facts of the case,
which led the committee 20 the full belief that
Houard was a citizen of the United States, and
advocated the adoption of the resolution.
MIR. Amber said, according to his understand
ing, while citizens had rights they also owed
certain duties to the country in which they
cIdmeu cluZenshlp. Inere was no evidence
that he ever was called an American citizen,
except upon mere rumOr.
MIR. Wood IN. " obtained the floor, and
pending motion for a recess,
Mr.. Chapman ID. c. offered a bill to CONSOLE
date the acts in relation to a Metropolitan police
force in the District of Columbia. Referred to
committee on District of Columbia.
The Senate bill in relation to a municipal
court Was referred to the committee on District
OF Columbia.
The House then took recess, and met again
at $50, TO consider reports from the committee
on pensions; and among the bills passed were
the following Increasing the pension of the
widow of General E. V. Sumner to the sum of
fifty dollars per month; also, bill granting a
pension to Maria l.. Lee, of Washington, ID. c.,
widow OF Abel III. Lee, who died while in the
service o. the United States as a scout. A large
number of other bills were passed, and the
House, at $50 p. m, adjourned.