The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-03-08
CONGRESS-.

On Wednes lay of last week, the
United States Senate Chamber was
again crowded to its utmost capacity to
hear Mr.. Summers reply to heattacks OF
the administration Senators on his
French arms resolutions In comment
on Mr.. Sumner'sa able speech it has been
remarked in Washington that Grants
friends are doing more injury to his
cause by refusing Investigation than he
could possible receive by allowing it to
go ahead. Considerable business was
done by the House, in clearing from
the Speakers desk measures already
acted upon by the Senate.
In the Senate on Thursday of last
week, at the expiration of the morning
hour Mr.. Summers French arms resolu-
tion was taken up, and after long de.
bate Harlan's amendment, that the
committee should inquire if any Ameri
can Senator or citizen has been i'm un.
authorized communication or collusion
with any foreign governments, was
adoubted. The resolution was then pass.
ed by vote of 50 yeas and nays.
The struggle over the first land grant
bill Of the session, in the shape of the
Senate bill giving the st. Croix and
Lake Superior Railroad Company a
couple of millions of acres, was continu.
ed, and finally resulted in virtual de-
feat Of the measure by its reference In
the debate Mr.. Beck intimated that
Colonel Tom Scott, president of numer-
Gus railroads, was opposing the bill in
the Northern Pacific interest, and sever.
al Pennsylvania members made vehe
ment denials of this statement, but Gen.
eral Banks declared upon his honor that
Scott had been on the floor of the House
and had asked members to change their
votes.
In the Senate on Friday of last week
Mr.. Sumner, on the plea of ill health,
asked not to be put on the committee
for the investigation of the French arms
frauds, Mr.. Cameron offered resolu
tion appointing Messrs. Hamlin, Car.
penter, Sherman, Sawyer, Logan, Ste.
venspn, and Harlan the committee to
Investigate the French frauds. The
resolution ELECTED much debate because
the name of some Senator favoring the
investigation was not in the resolution.
An amendment was offered putting Mr..
Schurz on the committee. The W hole
matter was finally laid on the table.
and the Appropriation bill taken up.
In the house, the Wisconsin Land
Grant bill was debated for the better
part OF the day, and the discussion was
at times quite personal and humorous
In the Senate, on Saturday, pending
of a resolution, offered by
Mr.. Bayard, asking for copi , Of In
structions to the District Alto. ey of
New York, relative to prosecutions of
merchants, the Senate adjourned.
In the House nothing but speech.
making was done.
Nothing of importance was done
Monday in either the House or Senate.
In the House few new bills we're re
ceived, after which that body went into
committee of the whole on the Deflcien.
cy Appropriation bill. The Senate, |
after some talk on the tea and coffee |
question, went into executive session,
and soon after adjourned.
The only business of Importance
transacted in the Senate on Thusday
was tho election OF the following com.
nittee to investigate the French arms
rauds; Hamlin, Carpenter, Sawyer,
Logan, Ames, Harlan and Stevenson.
The latter asked to be excused from
erving on the committee, and asked
hat Senator Schurz be appointed 10
lis stead, which was refused by q vote
" ~ nays to % yeas. In the House
Nothing was done but talk.