The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the United States Senate Oh Monday
memorials from Boston against the repeal
of the Bankrupt law were presented. The
bill to establish Bureau of Sanitary
Science was Indefinitely postponed, which
action is almost equivalent to rejection.
Bills were introduced to regulate the build
ing of bridges over navigable streams, to
contract with the Oriental and Mediterra-
mean Steamship Company for the carrying
of mails to Europe, and to endorse its
bonds to the extent of $4,000, 600, and to
appropriate So, 000, 900 for education in the
Southern States. All these bills were re-
ferred to appropriate committees. The
Committee on Public Buildings were di-
rected to inquire into the expectancy of
erecting another Presidential mansion. A
number of propositions were offered look
ing towards obtaining from the Pacific
Railroads a settlement of their indebted
ness to the United States and it was final
ly ordered that the Government should
bring suit against the Companies for re-
covery of the five per cent. of net earnings
which should have been applied to the pay
ment of interest upon and redemption of
the bonds guaranteed by the United States;
that the Secretary of the Treasury shall
withhold payments on account of freight
or transportation equal to the amount due
the Government. and that the Companies
may bring suit in the Court of Claims to
settle the points of law involved. These
provisions were incorporated in the Legis-
lativc Appropriation bill, and, although
adopted as amendments, do not become
law until the bill is passed, pending the
consoles alton of which the Senate adjourn
ed. In the House of Representatives the
most important bills presented were to re-
peal the Shipping Commissioners act, to
complete the Washington monument and
to refund the cotton tax. The Senate bill
for the relief of Hon John Thompson Ma
son, late Collector of the Port of Baltimore,
was passed. The House showed a DISPOSE
ton decidedly adverse to refunding the
cotton tax by rejecting a resolution direct
ing the Committee on Ways and Means to
report bill to that effect. 1t was ordered
that committee of thirteen members con-
fer with the Washington Monument So
ciety and report whether it is possible to
complete the monument by 1876. The bill
abolishing the Franking Privilege was
passed with the Senate amendments. The
House then adjourned.
On Tuesday, Vice President Colfax rose
in the Senate to personal explanation
After abiding to the grave charges which
have been made against him in connection
ed that a committee composed of Senators
hostile to him in politics be appointed to
make thorough and exhaustive examina-
ton. The Vice President then asked Mr..
Anthony to take the chair, and he with
drew from the Senate Chamber. Mr.. Pratt
| moved the appointment of the committee
suggested by Mr.. ColfaX, but Mr.. Thur
man showed that the Senate had no iuris-
diction over the Vice. President except as
Court of Impeachment, and thereupOn Mr..
Pratt's motion was unanimously rejected.
OF course the Vice President knew the
Senate had no jurisdiction, except as
High Court of Impeachment. Then why
make such 4 motion?
The House Judiciary COMMITTEES, at its
| meeting on Tuesday, agreed to bill to
increase the compensation of certain Off
GERS of the Government. 1t provides that
the President shall have $50 600 per an
mum; the Vice President. 10000; the
Speaker of the House, $4,000: the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, $40. 800; the
Associate Justices, $4,000 each, and the
members of Congress, $4,000. 1t abolishes
the present mileage system, and provides
that hereafter members shall receive only
! their actual expenses, incurred in coming
from and returning to their places of resi-
dence. The statement of such expenses is
to be made under oath. So far as the sala-
ries of Congressman are concerned, the bill
is to take effect during the present Con-
gress. The other beneficiaries do not re-
ceive the increase until after the 4th of
March, 1878.
The House bill, admitting Colorado as
State, was tabled, in the Senate, by vote
of IA to 81.
Joseph b. Stewart, of Washington, call
ed as witness, to testify in the Credit
Mobiier case, refused to answer and was
| summoned before the House to answer for
| contempt.