River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-02-28
Congressional Summary.

Illegal Messrs. Logan aud Anthony dissent
ed Mr.. Morton reported favOrahiy the reso-
luton to rccind the 22d joint rule. which pre-
scribes the method of determining disputes
arising during the counting Of electoral votes
tor President and Vice-President. Nh. Trum-
/ bull did not agree with the maj0lty, but
! thought the bill ought to be modified. The
| House bill amendatory of the bankrupt law
was reported. Mr.. Stewart introduced bill
! granting the state of Nevada million acres OK
public lands for common-school purposes. to
be selected by the state and disposed Of to
actual settlers. Mr.. Nye reported favorably
! on the bill authorizing territories to select
| and sell two sections of land in each town for
common school purposes. Several other bills
were reported favorably. The naval appro-
| priatlon bill was then passed. a joint resolu-
ton was also passed authorizing the President
to have medals made, TO be given in behalf OF
| Congress to certain citizens Of Rhode Island
who saved the lives OF twenty persons from
the wreck of the Metis in Long Island Sound,
last summer.
HOUSE. Several new bills we're in
! troduced. bill was passed approprating
! $65, 900 to William and Mary College for the
destruction of property during the war; also
bill to encourage and promote telegraphIc
communication between America and Asia.
The Senate bill for the further endowment of
agricultural colleges was taken up and pass
! ed, with an amendment that for every five
hundred dollars OF annual income accruing to
any college, there shall be one free scholar
ship. and that when the annual income shall
reach fifty thousand dollars year, all buttons
of that college shall be free.
SENATE. On Saturday, February Is,
Mr.. Sherman reported that he had notified
tine President and Vlce-President of their cleo
ton. A report from the conference commit
tee on the Consular and Diplomatic Appropri-
alton bill was agreed to. The rule offered by
Mr. Anthony, limiting debate on appropriation
bills, elected considerable discussion, but was
adopted. bill was introduced to incorpO-
rate the Southern Homestead Emigration
Company, giving power to lease or sell land
anywhere in the United States. The naval APP
preparation bill was then considered.
HOUSE. Mr.. Dawes reported that
the President and Vice-President had been
notified of their election. bill was passed
making it unlawful for any one to contract
with Indians relative to land or claims entered
prior to the act of May 21st, 1872, unless
such contract be in writing and approved by
and entered in the Department Of the In
terror. The message OF the President upon
affairs in Utah was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. bill was passed removing the
political disabilities from William Smith, of
Virginia, better known as Extra Billy Smith.
Buffers bill for the distribution OF the Geneva
award was discussed at length, and passed by
a vote of 122 yeas against II NAYS. The con-
ference report on the bill for the government
building at Memphis was agreed to.
SENATE. Several miscellaneous bills
were introduced on February 18th. The Com.
mittee on Finance reported adversely on the
House bill amending the internal revenue law
so as to allow producers of tobacco to sell one
hundred dollars worth of tobacco annually 10
consumers at the place of production. Mr..
Anthony offered a resolution designed to eX-
pedite business. Messrs. Cragin, logan ana
Bayard were appointed a committee t. make
necessary preparations for the inaugu-
ration. The House bill to revise, consolidate
and amend the laws relating to pensions, was
amended In several particulars and passed.
One of the amendments limits the compensa-
ton or agents and attorneys EMPLOYED bv an
plicants for pensions. The naval appropr1a-
ton bill came up as the unfinished business,
but failed to receive final action. Mr.. Sprague
submitted the conference report on the tortif-
cation appropriation bill, which was concurred
in, A message was received from the Presi-
dent calling the attention Of Congress to the
danger of q conflict between the Federal au-
thorities and territorial authorities in Utah.
HoUsE-The House in Committee of
the Whole took up the sundry civil appropria-
ton bill, which appropriates SGT 1868, S26. At
Two o'clock the bill for the distribution of the
Geneva award came up and occupied there
malnder of the session.
SENATE--On February Is, the Com
mittee on Pensions reported adversely to
granting pensions to soldiers OF the war of
1912 who served less than sixty days. Bills
were reported from committee. for the intro
ductlon OF an international code of signals in
the merchant service of the United States
authorizing the Washington, Cincinnati and
ST. Louis Railroad Company to construct a
railroad from Washington City, through the
states of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio Ind-
ana and Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri;
for the suppression OF trade in, and
the circulation of obscene literature and
articles of immoral use; to establish a board
OF local inspectors Of steam yess is for the
customs district Of Michigan; and for restor-
ing to the pension rolls the names OF all per-
sons hitherto pensioned for services in the war
OF 1922 and dropped theregrom on account OF
sympathy with the late rebellion. A resOu-
ton was adopted appropriating $4,000 to pay
the expenses Of the committee to investigate
the charges of bribery in the late Senatorial
election in Kansas. The naval Appropriation
bill was considered.
HoUsE.-A bin was passed authoriz.
ing the construction Of railroad bridge over
the Arkansas River at Van Buren,. Mcssrs.
Dawes aud Beck were appointed committee
to notify the President and Vice President
elect OF their election The Senate bin in
relation TO mineral lands was passed. No
other business OF importance was transacted.
SENATE. No business OF Importance
vas transacted ia the Senate on February u,
which adjourned to meet in joint convention
with the House for the purpose OF counting
the electoral vote.
HoUsE.-A bill was passed changing
the time for holding L. 5. Courts iu AIinncs0-
Ia. A message was sent 70 the Senate an
uouncing that the House wos prepared TO re-
ccyc that BODY and proceed with the counting
OF he electoral vote. The Senate accordingly
met vita the House in jon' convention aad
proceeded TO countthe vote. Separate action
was had by each body in the votes OF Geor-
gia, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas aud Louis
lana. which resulted ID the three votes of
Georgia, cast tor Horace Greeley, being
thrown out. The vote Of Arkansas was
thrown ont on the ground that the persons
certified o. having been elected we're not elect
ed Presidential electors from thnt state. IN