Litchfield enquirer., 1874-04-09
CONGRESSIONAL.

,Senote.- On Tuesday of last week, a ape- tition for legislation to restrain sales of liquor was presented by Mr. Sargeant.- The national banking bill then came up for discussion. The clause was stricken out requiring 70 per cent. of greenbacks to beretired on new bank currency issued, % to 27. Mir. Buckingham then offered an amendment providing for the redemp- tion of greenbacks which was lost 20 to 37.
 On Wednesday petition was present ed for an increased appropriation to re- move obstructions at Hell Gate.-The substitute for the banking bill proposed by MT. Logan then came up, amended by Mir. Gordon so as to allow an increase of banking currency putting all the other States on par with the State of Pennsylvania. This would allow an increase of bank currency of about $11O,- 100000. This substitute was rejected, 26 to 9. Mir. Jones of Nevada made a strong speech against imitation. An amendment fixing the amount of fraction al currency at 40 millions was rejected. Mir. Sherman moved an amendment re- pealing those sections of the existing law that allow banks to keep their re- serves elsewhere than in their own vaults.
 On Thursday the Portland < Louis vile Canal bill came back amended from the House The banking bill then came up and Mr. MerIimon offered substi- tute for an increase of bank circulation to the amount of $46, 900, ,OO0 to be distri- buted among the States where there is deficiency. This substitute was adopted, 33 to 19.
 After transaction of miscellaneous bus mess during the morning hour the Senate adjourned till Monday.
 On Monday the Senate bill regarding inl- ported fruits was reported back with amendments. - Miscellaneous business was transacted and notice was given that the previous question would be moved on the Currency bill on Tuesday
 House.-On Tuesday of last week bill was passed providing for the payment of bonds of the Louisville and Portland Canal Co.-The Currency bill was then discussed. Mir. Dawes presented petition of South Carollnina for relief from an op- pressive and unrepublican state govern: ment. 4 Democratic member of Congress from Pennsylvania claimed that it could not be done without interfering with the rights of sovereign state.
 On Wednesday, Mir. Rainey of s. c. presented counter statement denying the facts alleged in the taxpayrs peti- tion.-Messrs Phelps and Hawley of Conn, spoke against infation.
 On Thursday bill appointing com mission to inquire in to the Alaska seal fish cries was postponed currency ques- tion came up and was discussed by Messrs Dawes, Wilson, Hawley, Butler and others.
 On Friday resolution was adopted in- structing the committee on Commerce to report the progress of the improvement of the He'll Gate channeL-The bill ap- pointing an agent to inquire into the con duct of the Alaska seal fisheries was pass ed. Inquiry was made into the charges made against the Pacific mail Steamship Go. Mir. Dawes said the Ways and Means committee would go on with the investi- gation as soon as the present press of business before them allowed. Private bills were then considered for the rest of the session. a
 On Saturday bill passed exempting canal boats from taxation.-A large num- Der of private bills were passed Messrs Kelley, Butler and others spoke on the finances. e
 On Monday various bills and petitions were presented among which was one from the son of Gen. Lee for compensa- tion for the Arlington estate. The Fi- nance bill was then taken up. Mir. Merrimon moved to strike out all of the bill except the sections which fix the greenback cir eulation at S4O0, coo, ,000 and allow an in- crease in the bank circulation of 46 mil