The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-13
NATIONAL LEGISLATION.
What the Forty-second Congress Has
Accomplished.

What the Forty-second Congress Has
Accomplished.
The Forty.second Congress-, which closed it's
sessions on Tuesday last, commenced it's career
on the 4tb of March, 1871, and has enacted
many important measures.
During the fret session the measure OF lead
ing interest and Importance which was passed
was the notorious enforcement act, placing it
in the power Of the President to suppress, by
force if necessary, combinations formed to de-
priye any citizens OF their constitutional rights.
This bill continues in force, with the exception
Of the fourth section, authorizing the Presi-
dent to suspend the writ of habeas corpus,
which section expired by limitation at the close
OF the succeeding session Of Congress, in June,
1872. An effort to renew it failed.
During the second session, which COM
menced at the usual time in December, the
approach of the presidential campaign gave
rise to much debate intended more for politi,
cal effect than immediate public interests, and
mnch time was consumed IN this way. In the
spring OF 1872 the Treaty OF Washington Was
ratified by the Senate. The measure OF great,
eat importance considered during the secona
impeded o long time by the persistency OF Mr..
Sumner in attempting to engratt upon 1t his
famous civil rights bill. 1t was finally passed
without Mr.. Summers amendment, but still not
a complete amnesty act. II removed the dis
abilities imposed under the fourteenth amend
meut, except those OF members OF the tnlrty,.
sixth and thirty-seventh Congresses, ohcers OF
the judicial, military or naval service, neaaa oi
denartmeuts and foreign ministers VINO alter
wards took part with the South. These e1cep-
tions il was estimated embraced some three
hundred persons, many Of whom have since
been relieved by special acts.
The next most important acts were those re
nealing the duties on tea and coffee, tne reduc,
lion Of the duties on salt % per cent, coai ~
per cent, lead Is per cent, on many otnSr
ert;cles 10 uer cent, admitting hides Tree, Win
n,onv other additions to the free list. principal
" drnes and chemicals. Most CT the internal
reyenue duties except those on malt and splr-
,tnous liquors and few stamp duties, we're
also repealed. The total reduction was about
s59 OOO.O 900. The reapportionment bill passed
at the same session increasing the numDer OF
representatives to 292, various amen aments 70
the election laws were passed, and also the act
ahoIisbino the Offices of assessors and assis-
tant assessors OF the internal revenue. efec-
ting il ls claimed an annual saving OF s. OOO 0O0
Dnrrnp the third session, which c0nmenced
also in December, much time has been e1pend-
ed in the notorious corruption lnyestgatlons,
the fire IN the whole flock resulting IN the
bringing down 10 censure two members OF the
House. The act Of most general importance
nasssed at this session was that aoohshing the
ranking privilege, which was followed by the
increose Of the salaries of the Presto ent to sou
GOO, Vice-Presdent. Speaker and Justices OF
the Supreme Court, and Cabinet officers 10 slO,-
600. Senators, Representatives and Deieg gates
s75OO, Assistant Secretaries OF tine treasury
State and Interior $4,000. The increase Oh sA-
aries of the Congressmen was sought 10 Ds eA'
cused to some extent by the fact OF tne aDoli,
lion of frapks, but as the members hso enloyeo
this nriyilepe the whole session, the excuse
seems q poor one. Bills were also passea lor
the construction of eight steam sloops or Wsr.
r. mnst also be recorded that Congress has dl.
rected the Secretary of the Treasuvy to with,
hold the earnings of the Pacific railways, and
has accorded to the companies the right TO
bring the question before the courts wnetner
the payment Of those earnings from the gov
ernment is legally due while the interest on
the bonds loaned by the country remains IN
paid. Congress has also ordered suit to DC
begun against these companies to recover tne
proceeds of loans and lands from the 9oitee
States misappropriated through ra9ou.. a
CONTRACTS or other illegal practices. TINS SUI
will embrace not only shareholders IN tne coin ts
| panies, but all who have participated III 'n'
unlawful profits.