The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-12
Congressional Proceedings.

credentials of Messrs. Edmunds, of Yer
mont. and Eaton. OF Connecticut, for the
senatorial term commencing March 4
1875. were presented. Mr.. Morrill,, of a
Joint select committee, reported statute.
providing for a form OF government foi
the District of Columbia. A petition was
presented from Admiral Worden and his
command for prize money for destroying
the Confederate ram Merrimac, on the
same principle that compensation was
awarded the crew Of the Kearsarge for
destroying the Alabama. The committee
on Indian affairs was directed to report
measures for protecting life and property
in the Indian Territory, and whether
United States courts should be established
there. Bills were introduced to revise
the laws for collection of customs duties
for relief of settlers on public lands in
Kansas and Nebraska; to promote efficiency
in the army medical corps for relief Of
persons suffering from grasshopper rayages;
to protect citizens of foreign birth from
forcible rcstraintand involuntary servitude,
and to enable aliens to enter public lands
under the homestead laws.
In the House an unsuccessful effort was
made for immediate consideration of bill
to repeal the Poland "gag-law." After
the Presidents message was read, the
legislative, naval, army, Indian and forti-
fcation appropriation bills were reported
and referred to the committee of the whole
TUEsDAY.--In the Senate Mr.. Wright
introduced bill to restore the salary Of
the President to the former figure of S25,.
900. A bill was submitted by Mr.. Wright
providing for the construction by Govern.
ment Of a line Of telegraph between Wash.
ington and Boston, with stations at all the
principal intermediate points, Mr.. Davis
took the Senate by surprise by the intro.
duction ola most comprehensive resolution
directed to the President, and requesting
him to report all the names and cireum-
stances connected with defaleations il
every branch of the Government service
since 1865, and also to state all the facts
connected with land grants by Congress to
railroads and canals. Mr.. Davis stated
that he meant to press the inquiry.
In the House bill was passed fixing
the compensation Of Examiners ofNationa
Banks on a scale graduated according t.
the capital of the bank investigated. The
Nebraska and Iowa members renewed theil
discussion over the question of whether
Omaha or Council Bluffs is the legal ter
minus Of the Union Pacific Railroad, and
bill was introduced to declare the bridge
between the two points to be part of the
road aud under its control. The House
passed bill to prohibit members o.
Congress from acting as counsel against
the Government in revenue cases. =
Several petition from Baltimore bushes,
houses, asking for the reduction of the taA
on matches, were presented. Mr. Cox
introduced bill similar to that offered b,
Mr.. Wright in the Senate for the rcduc
ton Of the salary Of the President. The
financial question cropped up with the
temperance of Mr.. Kelleys 1868 pei
cent. iutro-eonvcrtible bond bill, and ia,
hardmoney and rag-money men at once
locked spears in the debate. Mr.. Kelley
defended his scheme, and Mr.. Butler came
to his aid with the familiar arguments Of
the infationists, while Mr. Dawes and Mr.
Garfield antagonized their views. Not
outstanding the warning that Prcsiden
tial veto doomed up in its path, the Houst
passed the bill
WEDNEsDAY--ln the Senate petitio'
of Georgetown merchants was presented
asking that the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad be required to remove the oh
structions in the draw of their bridge oyel
the Potomac The list Of standing com
mittees was submitted by Mr.. Anthony
The select committee on Transportation
and on the Mississippi Levees are continu
ed Various bills, memorials and petitions
Of no general interest were disposed of
after which the Senate adjourned.
In the House resolution was adopted
requiring Collectors of Ports to furnish
the Secretary Of the Treasury lists of al
articles entered since june %, 1874, OIL
which the duties exacted under the revised
statutes have been greater than those PAID
on December |, 1873 The bill relating
to the Omaha bridge was taken up, anC
after brief discussion postponed until Feb
ruary Is, 1875. The Presidents Message
was ordered to be distributed to the scy.
eral committees for consideration. The
resignation of Judge Il. McJunkin, of Pa.
to take effect on January l, 1875, wa,
presented The bill to continue the Board
of Audit Of the District of Columbia was
taken up. Mr.. Beck offered an amend
ment requiring the said Board to report to
Congress not later than the 18th day OF
February, 1875, and Mr.. Wilson offered
Que providing that the Board examine the
accounts Of the late Board of Public
Works Mr. Randall said the statement
Of the President that the debt of the
District is fourteen millions is grossly err
roneous, as it is over twenty-five millions
of dollars. Messrs. Chapman and Hale
replied, defending the President. Tn,
bull was then passed as amended, an ID the
House adjourned.
THURsDAY.-In the Senate, bill wa.
introduced for the relief Of the Allegheny
Valley Railroad Company. A joint reso
luton was passed to appoint George Ban.
croft member of the board regents OF
the Smithsonian Institution in place Of
Gen Sherman, who has resigned. Monday
next was set apart for consideration of the
bill to frame a new form Of government
Tor the District Of Columbia. The Senate
adjourned until Monday.
In the House, Mr.. Stowell, of Virginia
asked an investigation into the charge
made against him Of selling naval cadet
ship, denouncing the charge false. The
committee on naval affairs was directed L
make the investigation. The Secretary
OF the Treasury was directed to transmit
TO the House report Of the commission
srs appointed to wind up the affairs of the
rreedman's bank and bill was introdu-
'ced requiring the said commissioners tc
declare dividend, and to institute sui
against the trustees OF the bank. The bill
Tor the improvement Of the currency and
reduction Of the interest on the funded
debt Of the United States was considered
IN committee Of the whole. An amend
nent was offered that greenbacks shall