The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-28
CongressIOnaI proceeding..

tioh ahOWlnB ttle members OF tine military
court before which General Fitz John
Porter was tried, to state the vote and their
opinions Of the ease, was objected TO and
went over. A bill to amend the Enforce
ment act was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. The Secretary Of the Treas.
ury was directed to report the number Of
distilleries destroyed during the last six
month"; The debate upon the bill equal.
izing National Banking circulation was
continued, but no final action was taken.
In the House, mutual explanations and
expressions of personal regard were made,
IN rather a Pickwickian manner, by Messrs.
Beck and Grassland. A number Of private
bills were disposed Of During the session
brief recess was taken, and Chief Justice
Waite appeared on the floor and was in
troduced to the different members. The
Secretary of the Navy was called on for
information, in relation to the propriety Of
removing the Naval Asylum from Phila.
delphia to Annapolis, Along debate took
place upon the bill allowing the Point
Lookout Railroad to enter the District of
Columbia.
SATuRDAY.-The Senate was not in
session.
In the House Mr.. Shanks reported bill
to confirm an agreement made with the
Shoshone Indians relative to the purchase
Of Wyoming reservation, but objection
was made to its consideration, and it was re-
ferred. On motion of Mr.. Crittenden it was
agreed that the House, when it adjourned,
should not assemble again until Tuesday
in order that there might be a proper re.
cognition of Washington s birthday. I'm.
der the head of unfinished business, the
motion to table the bill in relation to the
Washington and Point Lookout Railroad
Company came up, and the motion was re-
jected by vote of 100 in the affirmative
and 120 in the negative. The demand for
the previous question was then withdrawn
by Mr.. Rice, who had charge Of the bill,
whcreupon running debate upon the
question of bridging the Eastern branch
and the destruction of the river front and
navy yard by the construction of the road
was INDUCED in, after which the bill was
referred to the committee Of the whole on
the general calendar.
MoNDAY.-The United States Senate
met as usual, but Immediately after prayer
by the Chaplain adjourned for the obser-
vance of Washington's birthday. The
House was not in session.
TUEsDAY-In the Senate the debate
upon the bill equalizing the national bank
ing circulation was resumed, and Mr..
Schurz delivered carefully prepared and
comprehensive speech in favor of return
to specie payments, and in opposition to
any imitation of the currency. Mr.. Nor
ton replied, declaring that greater album
dance of money is needed in the country,
and that the time for the resumption Of
specie payments has not yet come. In the
House the debate upon the bill to revive the
franking privilege was continued, and va
rious speeches were delivered. Several petit
tons of citizens of Maryland were pre-
scented and referred to committees. The
Committee on Indian Affairs was directed
to prepare a report upon the general con-
dition of the Indians in the United States
and Territories.
WEDNEsDAY.-ln the Senate the bill
providing for an investigation into the al
coholic liquor traffic was discussed until
the expiration OF the morning hour. The
debate upon the bill to equalize the Ma
tional banking circulation was resumed,
and MIR. Merrimon advocated his amend
ment. MIR, Sherman replied in opposition
to any increase OF the currency. A lively
personal discussion took place between
Messrs. Morton and Schurz, but it was
finally settled. A message from the Pres
ident in relation to the Centennial Expo
sition was read. Pending motion TO take
up the Centennial bill the Senate went
into executive session, and at its close adj
journed.
In the House number OF bills reported
from the Committees on Naval Affairs,
Foreign Relations aud Public Lands were
disposed Of The discussion of the bill to
revive the Thanking privilege was resumed,
and after numerous speeches the previous
question was demanded. The main ques-
ton was ordered by vote Of yeas l26 to
nays lis. A recess was then taken. The
evening session was devoted to the consid-
Grafton of the report of the Committee on
the Revision of the Laws.
THURsDAY.-The only measure of gen
eral Importance discussed in the Senate
was the Centennial bill. After some in
formal debate the Senate refused to take
up the bill by vote Of % yeas to % nays.
The Naval Appropriation bill was passed.