River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-13
Congressional Summary.


SENATE. Senate met at noon on
December I'd, the Yice-President in the chair,
and all leading Senators present. a number
OF bills were introduced, among them one by
Mr.. Sumner, as follows: Whereas, National
unity and goodwill among fellow citizens can
be assured only through the oblivion of
past differences, and 1t Is contrary to the
usage OF civilized nations 70 perpetuate the
memory of civil war. therefore be it enacted,
&C., that the names OF battles with fellow
citizens shall not be- continued in the army
register or placed on the regimen
tai coloIs of the United States. The
credentials OF General Matchin, senior,
to succeed Garrett Davis, OF Kentucky,
and Mr.. morrill, from Vermont, were present
ed. Mr.. Wilson introduced bill for the relief
of suflerers by the Boston fire. This bill is
similar To the bill for the relief OF the Chicago
sufferers. Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, in.
troduced bill granting pension of $1,000 a
year 10 the widow Of Gen. Meade. A message
was received from the House announcing the
adoption Of concurrent resolution in regard
to the death OF Horace Greeley. Mr. Fenton
moved immediate consideration, and II was
unanimously agreed to. The Presidents
message was then received and read by the
Clerk.
HoUsE.-The House was called to or.
der by Speaker Blaine. The following new
members sworn IN: Jas. e. Havley, of Conn.,;
Constantine G.. Esty, Of Mass; D. z. Dodds,
of OHIO. and Erasmus W. Beck of Georgia.
Mr.. Banks offered his resignation as chair
man OF the Committee on Foreign Affairs, but
the House, by vote OF 70 to So refused TO sc-
cept II. Speaker Blaine then called Mr.. Cox. OF
New York, to the chair as Speaker pro TEN, and
took the floor to offer the following resolution:
Whereas, accusations have been made in the
public press, founded on the alleged letters Of
Oskes Ames,a Representative from hassachu-
sets, and upon the affidavit of Henry Nc
Comb, citizen OF Wilmington, in the state of
Delaware, to the effect that members of the
House were bribed by Cakes Ames to perform
certain legislative acts for the benefit OF the
Union Pacific Railroad Company by presents
of stock IN the Credit MObiller of America, or
by presents of valuable character derived
thereirom; therefore, resolved that n
SPECIAL committee of five members
be appointed by the Speaker pro tenn
pore. whose duty it shall be to investigate and
ascertain whe ther any member of this house
was brbed by Cakes Ames, or any person or
corporation, in any matter touching his legis-
latlve duty, and that the committee be author
lied to send for persons and papers. Mr..
Blaine said he had requested Mr. Cox to APP
point majority of Democrats on The commit
tee, and made few remarks challenging
investigation. The resolution was adopted
with Few negative votes on the Democratic
side, and Mr.. Cox, as Speaker pro tenn, ap-
pointed as the select committee Messrs. Po-
land, Banks, Beck, Nblack and McCarry. Mr..
Dawes offered a resolution OF regret at the
death of Mr.. Greeley, which was adopted.
The message was then read, and the House
soon after adjourned.
SENATE. The Senate met and adj
journed on December Sd, without transmit
ting any business OF importance.
HoUsE.-Mr. Foreman member elect
from Louisiana, was sworn in. Mr.. Kellogg.
OF Connecticut, introduced bill to repeal the
stamp act ON bank checks and notes. Re
ferrod. Mr.. Randall offered a resolution call
ing on the Secretary fthe Treasury for infor-
nation as to what law authorizes him to make
an increased issue of legal tender notes, as
was done IN October last, and whether such
issue was made in the legal-tenders heretofore
retired or in new ones. Adopted. Mr.. Beck,
OF Kentucky, was excused from serving on the
Credit Mobllier investigation committee, and
Mir. Mer1ck, OF Maryland, appointed in his
stead Mr.. Scofield, of PENNSYLVANIA, from the
Committe on Naval Affairs, reported bill to
authorize the construction of ten steam yes
sells Of war, and appropriating 50, 900, 900 for
that purpose. The vessels are to carry each
ten or more guns of large cabre, and the
hulls are to be of iron or wood, as the Secre-
tarY OF the Navy may determine. This bill
was debated until the expiration OF the morn
ing hour. The House shortly afterward ad-
journsd.