Smyrna times., 1873-03-12

REVIEW OF THE FORTY SECOND CONGRESS.
The Forty-secOnd Congress- which closed its
sessions on Tuesday last commenced its career
on the 4th of March, 1871. During the first
session the measure of leading interest and I'M
portance which was passed was the we'll known
enforcement act. This bill continues in force,
with the exception of the fourth section, au-
thorlzlng the President to suspend the writ Of
ha6eas corpus, which section expired by limi
tation at the close Of the succeeding session of
Congress, in June, 1872
In the spring of 1872 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 long time by the persistency of
MIR. Sumner in attempting to engraft upon it
his famous civil rights bill. 1t was finally
passed without Mr.. Summers amendment, but
still not complete amnesty act. 1t removed
the disabilities imposed under the fourteenth
amendment, except those OF members of the
| thirty-sixth and thirty Congresses,
officers OF the judicial, military or naval SER
vice, heads of departments and foreign minis
ters, who afterwards took part with the South.
These exceptions 1t 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 40 per cent, lead 25 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 a few stamp
duties, were also repealed. The total reduction
was about $53,000,O00. The reapportionment
| bill passed at the same session increasing the
number of Representatives to 292; various
amendments to the election laws were passed
and also the act abolishing the offices of asses
sors of the internal revenue.
During the third session, which commenced
also in December, much time has been ex
pended in the notorious corruption investiga
tions, the five in the whole flock resulting il
the bringing down to cenSure two members o
the House. The act of most general import
ance passed at this session was that abolishinl
the franking privilege, which was followed b.
the increase of the salaries of the President b,
$4,000, Vice President, Speaker and Justice
of the Supreme Court, and Cabinet officers tC
$4,000, Senators, Representatives and Dele
gates $500, Assistant Secretaries of tn
! Treasury, State and Interior $4,000. Bill
were also passed for the construction of eigh
steam sloops of war. 1t must also be recorde
that Congress has directed the Secretary of tn
Treasury to withhold the earnings of the Pacifi
railways and has accorded to the companie
the right to bring the question before the court
whether the payments of those earnings fror
the government is legally due while the interes
on the bonds loaned by the country remains III
paid. Congress has also ordered suit to b
: begun against these companies to recovt
the proceeds of loans and lands from tn
, United States Incorporated through frauC
ulent contracts or other illegal practices Tn
suit will embrace not only shareholders, in tt
: companies, but all who have participated IN Ii
unlawful profits.