Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-23

The friends of Mr.. A. M. SIMPSON will find
him at L. Weller's Boot, Shoe and Hat Store
Main Street. His lady friends he would be par
ticularly glad to see and serve. Give him call
43d CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION.
SENATE Monday Dec 15sh.-Mr Morton,
from committee Oh privileges and elections, re-
ported that the committee were equally divided
as to the respective rights of Messrs Mcmillan
and Pinchback. from Louisiana, and asking
that the matter be determined by the Senate,
which was agreed to- and the subject of admit
ting Pinchback will be taken up by the Senate
tomorrow Mr.. Sherman, from finance COM
mittee reported House bill for redemption of
loan of 1858, with amendments, which were
agreed to ard the bill passed. The bill had pre-
viously passed the House. The subject of spe-
Gle resumption was laid over, and pending the
consideration of the bill authorizing national
banks without circulation, the Senate went into
executive session and soon after adjourned.
HoUsE-ln the House greater number of
bills were introduced under the Monday call
than on any previous occasion his session.
| The subjects of cutting down the estimates for
the next year, reduction of expenditures, and
possibility Of another tax on tea coffee, tobacco
and spirits were discussed. Finally, n view of
| the financial embarrassment Of the country the
shrinkage of values, and the heavy falling off of
government revenues, 1t was resolved to call up-
on the President to order revision Of the es-
Inmates by the executive departments to the
lowest figure, and report, if possible on the 5tb
| OF January. The House then resolved to take
a recess from the 10Th inst, until January 4;h,
and at 44O P NJ. adjourned for the day.
SENATE.-Tuesday, Dec l6th.-In the Sen
ate day an adverse report was made from the
| finance committee on the bill authorizing part
| payment of import duties in legaltenders and
| the bill was inds hnitely postponed. The House
| bill was reported from committee, appropriating
four millions of dollars to the navy, Mr.. Nor
ton giviog notice that he would call it up to-
morrow. The question of the admission of
| Pinchbsck as Senator from Louisiana was dis
cussed without action.
HOUSE The House passed the bill repeal
| ing the bankrupt law, but providing for closing
| up pending suits under the existing law at one
| half the costs heretofore allowed. The vote was
yeas 220, nays a. Under the Orth instruc-
tions the special committee On the salary repeal
| reported bill fixing the salaries of Senators
and Representatives at SIS. 500 year. and ac-
tual travelling expenses going and returning
| from Congress once each session, leaving other
salaries untouched. An amendment offered by
| Mr.. Kasson was adopted (yeas l72, nays H.,
providing for the return Of back pay received
| by members of the Forty third Congress 4ince
| March 4. Pending further action the House
adjourned. There was good deal OF fibuster-
| ing
SENATE w Wednesday, Dec. I7th.-In the
| Senate to-day Mr. Sumner offered a resolution,
| which was agreed to, instrucing the commit
| mittee on finance to consider the expediency of
abolishing the Office of commissioner of internal
revenue and other Offices under him, and pro-
| Viding by law for the collection Of all internal
taxes by the sale and use of stamps The ad
| tournament resolution was taken up, and after
! discussion was Indefinitely postponed. GA mo
| lion of Mr. Elmuods the House bill to repeal
| the bankrupt law was re erred to the commit
tee on the Judiciary. he House bill appropri-
| afing four millions to the navy, called up by
| Mr.. Morrill,, evoked animated debate, but was
| passed by large majority with an amendment
striking out the clause comforting the authority
| on the President to transfer an appropriation
| from one bureau to another,
HOUSE In the House the consideration Of
the salary bill and proposed amendments caus-
ed protracted discussion Mr. Holman offered
an amendment which was adopted, providing
| that all members OF the present Congress who
| had received extra com ensatlon as members of
the last Congress should refund tbs amount so
received. MIR Hurlburt offered an amendment,
as a substitute for the whole bill, fixing the sal
airy OF members of Congress at Sc 900, with 40
addition of So, 900 for the Speaker. aud making
the salary of the Vice President So 900 which
was passed by viUa voce vote, and The House
at P. M. adjourned.
SENATE Thursday, Dec. 1S.-The House
salary bill was read and referred to the commit-
tee on retrenchment and reform. A resolution
was agreed to Offered by Mr.. Morrl) direct
ing the committee on the judiciary to inquire
Al of ho 10 ho
charge from prisons of persons committed by
United States courts. and into the expediency
of providing for furnishing such persons the
means of temporary subsistence. The resolu
toa on the finances came up In regular order,
and was discussed by Messrs. Boutwell, Nor
ton, aud others. At the conclusion of Mr.. Nor
ton S speech the Senate went into executive ses-
sion.
HOUSE Mr. Hale. of New York. rose to a
personal explanation, and some time was con-
sumed in spiteful encounter of words between
himself and Mr.. Wilson, of Indiana. Mr.. But
Ter followed with rather moderate speech,
pointed with the Scriptural quotation; Let
him that is without sin among you first cast a
stone at her," The Senate amendment to the
naval appropriation bill was reported from the
committee and concurred H. Mr. Hale offered
resolution, which was adopted, that the com
mittee on the District of Columbia be author
lied to employ a competent accountant to make
| full examination of the accounts of The District
and the board of public works. Mr.. Dawes in
PRODUCED concurrent resolution for adjourn
ment from Friday, the 10Th lost, to January
5, which was adopted, and large number of
| bills were presented and referred under the i'm :
preston that there nigh. be no session on Mon
| day
SENATE Friday, Dec. 19-House bill al
lowing continuance of distillery warehouses af
ter change Of management, and bill author
iziog the printing of surdry documents were
passed.
| A resolution for recess from to-day to Mon
day, January 9Th, was passed-ayes 32,v0<s
u. The discussion Of this resolution devele -
ed the ideas of Senators regarding the repeal of
the bankrupt law which in the main were ad-
verse thereto.
Mr.. Morton submitted resolution, which
was laid on the table, instructipg the commit
tee on the Judiciary that in any bill they may
report ia regard to the bankrupt law, whether
for its repeal or amendments thereto, such re-
peal or amendments in relation to the acts,
causes or conditions by virtue of which any per-
son may be thrown into involuntary bankruptcy,
shall be made retroactive, and to date back and
to take effect at period not later than the first
day of December, 1873.
! HOUSE A sub committee of two was au-
| thorized to proceed TO New Orleans IN take tes-