Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-02-08
UNITED STATES CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

out the provisions of the civil-servicc
reform measures.
Senator Morton's bill for Congress to
adjourn on the third Monday in May
was taken up and debated.
The Chicago Relief bill was taken up,
and passed as reported by the committee.
A bill was introduced to prohibit
American citizens from engaging in the
South Sea Island slave trade.
The resolution for Congressto adjourn
on the Goth of May was debated Mr.
Schurz moved, as u test question, an
amendment that Congress should not adj
iourn until passage of the law for the
reform of the civil service, which was re-
jected.
Apportionment bill was taken up, with
the Senate in committee of the whole
Several amendments we're adopted, after
which the committee rose and reported
the bill, which was passed.
The House bill appropriating $4,000
for expenses of the japanese embassy,
the House bill to make up the Mccartney
dcfalcatlon and setting apart certain
lands at the head-waters of the Yellow
stone were passed. The Committee on
Foreign Affairs reported bill for the
payment of the French spolation claims.
Bills introduced to establish anational
registry of shipping alfording protection
to passengers and seamen, and prevent
ing excessive rebates in the duties on
merchandise damaged on shipboard.
The bill defining the meaning of the
Internal Revenue act Of 1870 in the mat
ter of cxempting dividends OF earnings,
&c, was pusse |.
HOUSE.
Butler presented a petition from the
women of the United States for declar-
atory law to assure them the rights of
suffrage, which was referred to the Judi
ciary committee.
The chairman of the Committee on
Commerce reported a resolution asking
that the committee be empowered to
investigate the distinctions to commerce
IN every phase, which was passed.
The bill to establish an educational
fund, and to apply the proceeds of the
public lands to the education of the
people, was discussed at some length.
A resolution was adopted calling on the
President for information on which he
acted in exercising in the State of South
Carolina the powers conferred on him
by the Ku-KluX act, with the names Of
all persons arrested and imprisoned /;
also such other information as will con-
vey an idea of the state Of society and the
security of life and property in that
State, also in North Carolina, Kentucky,
Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, in
Guiding the recent legislative conflict.
The Naval Committee reported anaval
appropriation bill, asking for SIT, 943,-
The General Legislation bill calls for
near SIT, 900, 900, and the Pension bill
for $50, 100000
Mr.. Cox introduced resolution
calling on the President for information
the reindenture of Chinese
laborers in Cuba,
In a debate it was stated by Mr.. Beck
that the postal telegraph scheme would
cost the country some $50, 200, 900 for the
first outlay and an annual tax of SlO,-
900, 600 to sustain it.
Among the bills introduced and re-
ferred was one to purchase Independence
Hall and square from the City of Phil
adelphia.
Several bills to remove the disabilities
Of certain citizens in Georgia, South
Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee
were also introduced and passed.
Voorhees, introduced resolution CIV
ing belhgerent rights to the republic of
Cuba in her contest against Spain and
asked that the rules be suspended, so
that the bill could be acted upon at
once. After some debate the House re-
fused to suspend the rules by Il vote of
10 to 100.
The Committee on Manufactures was
instructed to inquire whether material
for the construction of steamships can
be supplied by the United States, and
the difference in price between foreign
and domestic.
A bill amending the existing laws re-
lative to the transportation Of merchan-
disc in bond, wa passed.
A resolution Was adopted authorizing
the Committee on Banking and Currency
to send for persons and papers in con-
Quoting the examination as to therecent
of national banks.
Bills passed, extending the statute Of
limitations from two to five years i'll
cases where persons are charged with
crimes against the pension bounty laws
to pay the fees of respondents in ex-
cases, and another amending
the act of July Is, 1866, preventing
The House concurred in the Senate's
to the Apportionment bill,
and the bill was sent to the President
for his signature.
In the debate on the appeal bill Dawes,
Of Massachusetts,, and Ramsey, of Penn
sylvania, treated the House to spar
ring match.