The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-02-14
CONGRESSIONAL.

| the relief OF the University of East Tennes-
see. constitutional amendment electing
Senators by popular vote, was introduced.
| Webb's Australian steamship subsidy bill led
to long debate and much parliamentary
squabbling Nye, who was the principal
champion of the bill, said it was supported by
the recommendations of the San Francisco
| Chamber of Commerce, the Postmaster
| General and the President Of the United
States. Mr.. Thurman, for the purpose of
killing the bill, moved to lay it on the table,
pending which the Senate adjourned till Mon
dav. The President has signed the bill abol-
ishing the franking privilege.
HOUsE.-A large number of private
bills were passed, after which the House ad-
journed.
SENATE, Feb. 3.-Petitions from lead
ing business men of New York against the re-
peal of the bankrupt law were presented. The
credentials of Senator elect Dorsey of Arkan-
sas was presented by his colleague, Mr.. Clay
| ton. The Webb Australian Steamship Sub
sidy bill was taken up. On motion Of Mr..
Thurman it was laid on the table by vote Of
80 to 81. A bill to provide for government
bHilding at Atlanta, Ga, was passed. The
| bill for the resumption of specie payment
came up, and after a spirited debate, partici-
| pated In by Messrs. Sherman, Schurz, Buck
| ingham and Bayard, passed with an
amendment, making it mandatory upon Bank
| ing institutions on and after January ], 1874
| to redeem their notes, at such localities as are
| now, or may hereafter be designated by law
either in coin or legal tender notes. The Sen
! ate then went into executive session
HoUsB.-Several bills were intro
dnced and referred including, one setting
apart day for generel thanksgiving; recon-
mending the President to communicate with
| foreign governments with a view to protecting
non-combatants, secure compliance with civil
| lied warfare, and promote peace with Cula
and Spain; authorizing the President to iII-
vite an International Statistical Congress to
hold its session in this country; granting the
! right of way through the public lands to the
Kansas and Colorado company, also the Atche
son, Topeka, and Sante Fee railroad; to
abolish tax spirits distilled from fruit; to
remove disabilities from all citizens of the
| United States. A resolution WAS offered de-
claring it to be the sense of the House that it
is not wise nor expedient to cede any part of
Goat Island at San Francisco for railroad pur-
poses. motion to table was lost yeas n,
nays 102. After some debate, during which
Mr.. Sergeant made pass at lobbyists using
the privileges of the House for the purpose of
lobbying their schemes through, the original
motion was carried, thus killing the bill.
resolution appointing three commissioners to
investigate the condition of all railroads
which have received government aid was re-
ferred to a select committee. Tho committee
to whom was referred the question of refund
ing the cotton tax reported back adversely.
motion to suspend the rules and appoint Fri
day next the day for their consideration Was
lost by vote of III TO g. less than two
thirds in the affirmative. motion appoint
ing next Tuesday week the day on which the
proposed new postage law will como up for
final action was adopted.
SENATE, Feb. 4-The bill raising tho
salary of the President to $50, 900, and that of
the Vice President to $40. 200, was laid over
for future consideration. Mr.. Sherman intro
duced bill authorizing consolidation of two
or more National Banks; the consideration of
the Finance committees substitute for Mr..
Buckingham's banking bill was resumed. A
long and interesting debate followed, touching
the effect OF both immediate and gradual re-
sumption of specie payment, and its probable
result upon the financial matters of the entire
country. Mr.. Sherman's motion reducing the
interest on bonds to be exchanged for green
backs from to per cent was lost. Ayes IL,
noes 81. Mr.. FentOn offered an amendment
providing for the retirement of 40 per cent. of
the greenbacks thus redeemed. Rejected The
President pro tenn then laid before the Senate
a message from the House, transmitting q
copy of the testimony taken before the Credit
Mobilier investigating committee affecting GER
tain members of the Senate On motion of
Mr.. Patterson select committe of five was |
appointed to consider matters in testimony, |
with power to send for persons and papers. |
After the rejection of a few moro amend |
ments to the Finance bill, the Senate went |
into executive session.
HoUsE.-Mr. Poland of the committee |
on Credit Mobilier. presented the evidence
taken, and moved that it be printed for the |
use of the House. Adopted. The committee |
on Ways and Means reported a bill to remit !
duties on goods destroyed by the Boston fire. |
The House then took up and passed bill for |
the payment of the Montana war claims.
SENATE, Feb. 5.-Petitions and re-
monstrances were presented for and against |
the repeal of the Bank rupt law. Mr. Rice |
offered resolution proposing investiga-
ton as to whether there is any existing legal |
State government in Arkansas, and how and |
by whom it is constituted. Mr. Ferry object
ed to the resolution that the Senate had ex-
ceeded it's power in this matter in regard of
Louisiana, and the resolution was laid over.
The finance bill was then considered, discuss
ed and laid on the table-ayes %, nays q.
Mr.. Edwards moved TO take up the bill to
provide for the distribution of the Geneva
award. Lost-ayes II, nays 81. The report
of the conference committee on the bill to
provide for the construction of six new sloeps
of war was concurred in. House bill granting
pension to Mrs. Wood, daughter of President
Taylor. was referred to the COMMITTEES on
Pensions. Adjourned.
HoUsE-A memorial was presented
from the Philadelphia Board of Trade for the
establishment of an ocean mail steamship ser
vice in American built iron steamships. Va
rious amendments wero proposed to the inter
nal revenue laws, as follows: Allowing pro-
dueers of tobacco to sell at the place of pro-
siuctioH to consumers to any amount not ex-
ceeding S100; increasing the fractional parts
Of barrels required to be stamped by including
tfisrds of barrels and providing that man
who makes wine from grapes raised by himself
may sell at the place of production without
psvihg the S25 special tax now required. The
bill passed. number of pension bills were
passed. Mr. Packer reported a bill authoriz-
ing the construction of railroad bridge
across the Mississippi river at Memphis, Tenn.
The bill discussed until the expiration
of the morning hour and went over without ac-
tion. The House then went into committee of
the whole on the Appropriation bill. 1.-THE bill
reported January Is, appropriates S32, 503, ,767,
but the Postmaster General agrees that his
amount may be reduced by $1,000, 600 on ac-
count of the abolition of the franking privi-
lege.l proposition to increase the item
for letter-carriers to 81, 700, 900, and allowing
their employment in places with population
OF 90 900 inhabitants led to long discussion,
involving the carrier system, and the compen-
sation of letter-carrers; after which it was
adopted. Pending the further consideration
of the post-ofice appropriation blu, the House