The Democratic advocate., 1874-05-23
Congressional Proceedings.

ERIDA1s-lu lne senate memorials
asking the Government to take charge
of the levees ON the Mississippi river were
presented. Mr.. Dennis submitted the
pctitions Of citizens Of Maryland and other
States, asking the extension of the Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal 10 the Ohio river.
A bill was introduced providing for the
establishment Of Bureau Of Internal
Commerce, to be attached to the Treasury
Department and be placed under the con-
troll Of a Commissioner. A favorable
committee report was made on the bill
giving soldiers or their widows and child.
rem precedence in appointments under the
Government. Notices were given that on
Monday the resolution for committee of
investigation on Arkansas would be called
up, and on Tuesday the Civil Rights bill,
and the Senate then adjourned until Mon.
day.
In the House of Representatives the
Senate resolution prohibiting the publica-
tion in the Congressional Record of any
speech not actually delivered in Congress
was reported, with an amendment fixing
an hour as the utmost limit of any speech,
and the whole subject was got rid Of by
laying it on the table. The bill TO author
izo an application to the Court of Patents
for the extension of the Wizard patent TO
prevent explosions of boilers was passed
after some debate as TO the right of the
Government TO free use of the invention.
After action upon number Of private
claim bills the House adjourned.
SATURDAY.-Thc Senate was not in
session.
In the House the bill extending the
time for filing claims for additional boun-
ties under the act Of July 2S, 1866, was
passed The bill to egalizo the entries of
public lands under the Homestead act
was passed. The House then went into
Committee Of the Whole on the Diploma
tic Appropriation bill, and Mr.. Cox having
the floor, made humorous speech in op-
position TO the bill. Mr.. Potter moved 10
strike out the appropriation for the Minis.
ter to Uruguay, which was rejected. Mr.
Orth moved TO strike out all relating to
consulates and insert the Consular BILL
lie also offered an amendment appropriat
ing S57 900 to reimburse the Brazilian
Gegernment for money enormously paid,
which was agreed to. la explaining tho
necessity for this appropriation an exposure
was made affecting very seriously the
character Of j. Watson Webb, late Amcri-
can Minister to Brazil The bill was then
completed in Committee of the Whole and
laid aside. The Postoiiice Appropriation
bill was taken up and read through, after
which the Consular and Diplomatic bill
was passed as amended. Mr.. Sener OBJ
tanned leave to have the testimony taken
in the investigation Of abuses in Western
Arkansas printed and recommitted, after
which the House adjourned
MoNDAY.--ln the Senate several rules
of order looking toward the limitation Of
debate and the expediting of business were
adopted Mr.. Frelinghuysen gave notice
that as soon as the Legislative Appropria.
tion bill was disposed of he would ask the
Senate to take up the Civil Rights BILL
The amendatory Diplomatic and Consular
bill, prohibiting diplomatic and consular
officers from leaving their posts without
leave, from corresponding on the affairs of
foreign nations, aud from accepting pres
ents, was passed. The Legislative, Execu-
tive and Judicial Appropriation bill was
reported from the committee with large
number Of amendments, generally incrcas-
ing the expenditures under the bill and
restoring items Of pay and salary that have
been struck out by the House. All the
amendments Of the committee were agreed
to and the bill laid over.
In the House under the call of the
States, large number of now bills aud
resolutions were submitted. On motion of
Mr.. Maynard, the Senate Banking and
Currency bill was referred 10 the appro-
pirate committee, with leave to report at
any time. BY resolution the postage on
the annual report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture was fixed at ten cents. Mr..
Poland endeavored to introduce n rosolu
tion providing for the appointment of
committee to investigate the condition Of
affairs in Arkansas, but the House. by a
vote Of yeas "a, nays ll5, refused to sus
pend the rules.
TUEsDAY.-In the Senate, Mr.. Wright
introduced resolution for constitutional
amendment to fix ten years from the date
when any claim against the United States
originates as the limit of time for its
presentation or prosecution. The concur
rent resolution for sine die adjournment
OF Congress on june 22d, was passed.
The bill turning over the Preside reserya-
tion, near San Francisco, which is the
property Of the Government, to the city
Tor use as park, was called up and
strongly opposed by Mr. Edmunds, who
succeeded in having it laid over. The
consideration of the Legislative, Executive
and Judicial Appropriation bill was re-
sumed, and the Senate loaded it down with
amendments, creating new offices or in.
creasing the salaries of existing ones.
A Third Assistant Secretary of State was
provided for, partial reorganization of
the clerical force Of the State Department
was authorized, and ten chiefs of division
established in the Treasury Department.
The Commissioner of Agriculture was
sharply attacked in the DISCUSSION ON a
paragraph in the bill that was intended to
cut of certain perquisites that he now
enjoys. An important amendment was
adopted, that no civil officer of the Gov.
ernment shall hereafter receive any CON-
pensation or perquisites, directly or indi-
rectly, from the Treasury or property Of
the United States, beyond his salary or
compensation allowed BY law The bill was
passed and the Senate adjourned.
In the House committee of conference
was ordered on the disagreeinp votes of
the two Houses on the Naval Appropria-
tion bill. The bill for the repeal of the
moieties system in the customs service
was taken up and gave rise to very
animated discussion, which lasted the
whole day and excluded all other business.
Messrs. Roberts, Beck, dawes, Niblack
and others denounced the raids Of Jayne
aud men like him on merchants in the
strongest terms. Mr.. Butler was expected
to haye come to the defence of his client,
but he remained quiet and took no part in
H. IL