The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-03-08
Review of the Forty-second Congress

The forty-second Congress, which closed its
sessions on Tuesday last, commenced its
career on the 18th of March, 1871. During the
tirst session the measure of leading interest
and Importance which was passed was the
notorious enforcement act. This bill contin.
ues in force, with the exception of the fourth
section, authorizing the President to suspend
the writ OF habeas corpus, which section
expired by limitation at the close of the sue.
ceeding session Of Congress, in June, 1872.
10 the spring of 1877 the treaty of Washing
ton was ratified by the Senate. The measure
of greatest Importance considered during the
second session by both houses was the amnesty
act, impeded a long time by the persistency OF
Mr.. Sumner in attempting to engraft upon il
his famous civil rights bill. 1t was iuaIly
passed without Mr. Sumner amendment, hut
still not complete amnesty act. II removed
the disabilities imposed under the fourteenth
amendment, except those of members Of the
thirty-sixth and thirty.seventh Congresses.
officers of the judicial, military or naval ser.
vice, heads OF departments and foreign minis.
tiers, who afterwards took part with the South.
These exceptions 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
repeating the duties on tea and coffee, the
reduction of the duties on salt so per cent.
coal ~ per cent, lead Is per cent, on many
other articles 10 per cent, admitting hides
free, with many other additions TO the free
list, principally drugs and chemicals. Most
OF the internal revenue duties, except those
on malt and spirituous liquors and few stamp
duties, were also repealed The total reduc-
ton was about S53,UOU,000. The reappor-
uoninent bill passed at the same session in
creasing the number of Representatives to
w ! various amendments to the election laws
were passed, and also the act abolishing the
Offices OF assessors Of the internal revenue.
During the third session, which commenced
also in December, much time has been ox.
pended in the notorious corruption inyestiea.
tons, the five in the whole flock resulting in
the bringing down to censure two members Of
the House. The act Of most general import.
ance passed ut this session was that abolishine
the thanking privilege, which was followed by
the increase Of the salaries Of the President to
S60,0OO, Vice President, Speaker and justices
OF the supreme Court, and Cabinet officers to
Sl0,OO0, Senators, Representatives and Dele,
gates $500, Assistant Secretaries of the
Treasury, State and Interior $4,000. Bills
were also passed for the construction of eight
steam sioops OF war. II mpst also DO recorded
that Congress has directed the Secretary Of
the Treasury to withhold the earnings of the
faeitie railways, and has accorded to the com.
panies the right TO bring the question before
the courts whether the payments Of those
earnings from the government is legally. due
while the interest on the bonds loaned by the
country remains unpaid. Congress has also
ordered suit TO be begun against these com
panies to recover the proceeds Of loans and
lands from the United States misappropriated
through fraudulent contracts or other illegal
practices. This suit will embrace not only
shareholders, in the companies, but ali who
have participated IN the unlawful profits,