Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-02-13
CONGRESS- IN BRIEF.

SATURDAY, Feb. 1-SENATE.-Not in session.
HoUsE.-The subcommittee of the select commit
tee on the condition of the Pacific railroad and Cred
it Mobilier was authorized to take testimony in Phil
adelphia, New York, and Boston IA bill was passed
"to secure a more efficient administration of Indian
affairs" .
to reconsider shermanA amendment to the Legis-
lative Appropriation bill, increasing the salaries of
Assistant Secretaries, ETC., was lost. A motion to
strike out of the bill $4,000 appropriated for extra
clerks was agreed to. An amendment for reducing
the force in the Postofice was agreed to.
HoUsE.-The bill for the admission of Colorado
was laid on the table by a vote of 107 to 81. In the
Florida contested election case the committee re-
ported that Niblack was entitled to the seat. The
report was agreed to....A report was received from
the Credit Mobilier Committee thatJ. B. Stewart, of
Washington, refused to answer questions put, on
the ground that the answers would call out conf
Dental communications between counsel and client,
which were privileged. The committee moved for
an order that the Sergeant-at-Arms take Stewart
into custody, subject to further order of the House.
An amendment to have Stewart brought forthwith
before the House to show cause why he should not
be committed to answer for contempt was agreed
to, and the resolution as amended adopted.
THURSDAY, Jan. 30.-SENATE.-The bill ex-
empting mineral lands in Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota from the operation of the act to pro-
mote the mineral resources of the United States was
passed Morrill's amendment to the Legislative
Appropriation act, prohibiting payment, unless by
special act of Congress, of judgments of the Court
of Claims to claimants whose loyalty during the re-
bellion had not been proved was reconsidered the
Morrill, amendment was then agreed to, and the
Legislative Appropriation bill passed.
HOUsE.-A bill restoring to the pension rolls the
names of soldiers of the war of 1912, stricken off
because of their aiding the rebellion, was passed.
80. Stewart, the witness before the Credit Mobilier
Committee who refused to answer questions, was
brought to the bar by the Sergeant-at-Arms and
heard in defense. He claimed his privilege as
counsel exempted him from obligation to answer.
A resolution was then adopted that his answer was
insufficient, and that he be considered in contempt.
A resolution was offered providing for the retention
of Stewart in custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms until
answered all proper questions. A substitute order
ing him to be committed to the jail Of the District
purging himself of his contempt by answering the
question or by order of the House was rejected, and
the original resolution was adopted
FRIDAY, Jan. 31.-SRNATE.-A bill was In
troduced authorizing the Northern Pacific railroad
to bridge the st. Louis river. Harlan introduced
a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amend,
the people ~. The bill for a subsidy for webb's
Australian line of steamships was discussed, but nc
from the President vetoing the bill for the relief OF
the University of East Tennessee
HoUsE.-The whole session was occupied in dis
posing of private bills.
MONDAY, Feb. 3.-SENATE.-Mr: Wright pre-
scented the joint resolutions of the Legislature OF
Iowa, asking for the passage of q bill to relieve tht
people from oppressive railroad freight charges.
appointed a committee of conference on the bill
providing for six sloops-of-wnr. The bill for sub
sidy for an Australian CWebb's) steamship line was
laid on the table....The third section of Bucking
hams banking bill was amended so as to provide
that after January, 1874, national banks shall re
deem their notes in coin or in United States lega
tenders. No action was taken on the bill.
HousE.-A resolution declaring it inexpedient tt
grant any part of Goat Island, in San francisco
Bay, to the Pacific railroad was passed ....A bill was
introduced for the establishment of a board of thre'
railroad commissioners, to report at the next SEES
sion the condition of all railroads that have re
ceived Government aid in lands or bonds.--.T TIT
Ways and Means Committee reported back adversel,
the various bills for refunding the cotton tax
motion to suspend the rules to pass the bill of Haw
ley Qllinois) providing for the appointment of
board of railroad commissioners, to collect infor
nation as to rates for freight and passenger traffic
ON the various roads, and report whether the sam'
are unequal and excessive, was lost-yeas, 70; nays
90.
TUESDAY, Feb. 4.-SENATE.-Blls introduced
To raise the salaries of the President and Vice-Pres
ident to $50, 600 and $40, 900 respectively to author
ize the consolidation of national banks....A copy o.
the evidence taken in the Credit Mobilier investiga
ton was received from the House. Mr.. Patterson
moved the appointment of a select committee o.
five, with power to send for persons and papers, t.
whom the matter should be referred, which wa
agreed to.
HoUsE.-The evidence taken before Poland's Cred
it Mobilier committee was reported and ordered
printed. The bill for the payment of the Montan'
war claims was passed.