The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-12-12
Congress.

The Senate Wednesday Dec. 4th. adjourned
without transacting any business. In the House
the bill for the construction of ten war vessels
with Mr.. Halc'S amendment to have five of
them built by contract. elected Il long discus
sion. and afterwards assigned tor tomorrow
The Presidents message was then con, ilcred IN
committee of the Whole. The subject of il
postal telegraph was referred TO the Committee
on Appropriations, and the centennial celebra-
ton TO select committee of nine.
In the Senate. Thursday, the Sh. Mr.. Sum
nrr asked to he excused from serving on com
mittees, under instruction of his physician.
Mr.. Cameron of Pennsylvania, gave notice that
he should call up at an early day the French
spoliaton bill. In the House, Mr.. Dawes in
troduced 4 bill for the free admission of foreign
lumber 10 be used in rebuilding the burnt dis
triri III BoSton-Which was passed. The bill
providing for building ten ships of war was
amended. reducing the number to six, and
passed
In the Senate Friday the 9Th. 4 bill to repeal
the lron-clad oath, and a resolution calling for
information relative to sending troops to Ar
kansas, were referred. resolution was adopt
ed That the Finance Committee report what
legislation Is needed to relieve the present Strin-
gency OF the money market, and the proprety
OF an additional issue Of legal tender notes
The Senate adjourned to Monday. In the
House, a bill was introduced tor the payment of
property destroyed during the war by order of
government. A bill abolshing assessors of in
ternal revenue and transferring their duties to
collectors, was discussed at length. After be-
ing amended to increase the bonds of collectors
and to fix the time for the bill to go into opera
ton July |, 1874, the bill was passed. Adjourn
ed 10 Monday.
In the Senate. Monday, the 9th, bills were
presented refunding the interest on war funds
borrowed by the States during the rebellion
and that after next June 20 per cent Of the Gus
toms duties may be paid in L. 5. notes and 90
per cent additional each year till 1877, when
they may be paid either in gold or notes. Mr.
summers Joint resolution proposing a const-
tuional amendment combining the President to
one term was referred to the judiciary Com
mittee. The French Spoilaton bill was post
poned till Monday. In the House large num-
her of bills were introduced, one for life sta
tons on the Maine and New Hampshire coasts,
and another proposing a constitutional amend
ment, providing for Il direct vote for President
and Vice President, and abolising the test OATH
Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts, offered resolutions
fixing the salary of the President at $50 900
per annum, commencing March, 1873, and that
the term of Ctfice Of The President be six years
the President to be ineligible for reelection and
that the President and Vice President be elect
ed by the people at the same time that Con-
greS>men are elected. A bill giving SIC, 900 to
the tiremen's fund in Boston caused a long dis
cusson and was referred to the Committee on
Appro, rlatlonS. A bill extending general am
nesty was defeated by vote of 1902 yeas, 81
nays, less than two-thirds. Voted TO adjourn
from Dee. Goth to Jan. 9Th.