Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-24
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
The Senate, on the 18th, was occupied, most
of the session, with District of Columbia af-
fairs. The House, in committee of the whole,
considered the legislative appropriation bill.
The Speaker announced special committee
to investigate the recent disturbance at Vicks-
burg, and also a committee on that portion
of the Presidents message relating to South.
ern affairs. The Secretary of War informed
the House that the quartermaster-gen had
caused to be distributed to sufferers by the
overflow of the lower Mississippi, the follow
ing articles: $4,000 forage caps, 1000 woolen
blankets, $4,000 pairs boots and $4,000 sack
coats, all in good order.
In the Senate on the 18th, joint resolutions
of the Legislature Of North Carolina were
presented, asking repeat of the tax on leaf
tobacco, improvement of Cape Fear river, and
the erection of public buildings at Asheville.
A motion to make special order for Monday
to consider the House bill to restore to the
pension rolls the names Of persons stricken
therefrom in consequence of disloyalty, was
rejected by vote of % to II. In the House
number of appropriation bills were dis
cussed. The sum of $5OO,0O0 was appropria-
ted for the support Of the asylum for disabled
soldiers A motion to strike out from the ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill an ap'
preparation of 100000 for the purchase of
official postage stamps for the treasury depart
ment, was rejected by a vote of II to II.
During the discussion of this motion, Mr.
Garfield stated that the abolition of the frank
ing privilege had not met the economical ex-
pectations of its advocates, but had increased
the deficit of the post office department. Mr..
Kelly, of Pennsylvania, said that the repeal
of the franking privilege was obtained by
fraud and several members urged the restora-
tion of the franking system.
In the Senate on the 18th, the bill to pro-
vide for new form of government for the
District of Columbia was dicussed. In the
House the legislative appropriation bill was
considered.
No business was transacted in either House
on the 18th, the day being occupied in for
mally receiving King Kalakua of the Sand
wich Islands, after the conclusion of which
ceremony, they adjourned until Monday.
In the Senate, on the 21st, Sherman repor-
ted the financial bill agreed upon by Repub'
lican Senators in caucus. The provisions Of
the bill are as follows: First-Free banking
to be open to all individuals and associations,
without Limitation of capital. Second-The
retiring of an amount of greenbacks equal to
eighty per cent of the amount of new national
notes issued until the greenback circulation
shall be reduced to three hundred millions,
after which no further reduction Of the green
backs is to take place. 1t is claimed that by
this provision there will be neither expansion
nor contraction Of the currency, as about
twenty per cent. is now required as bank re.
serves. Third-The withdrawal and destruc-
ton of the fractional currency, and the SUBJ
stitution of silver coin, the arrangement to 60
into effect as soon as practicable under the di-
rection of the Secretary of the Treasury, who
is authorized to use the surplus money in the
treasury for supplying the silver coin. If
this is not sufficient, to sell the requisite
amount of bonds ofthe new series to obtain the
funds for that purpose Notwithstanding
the cost for coinage of gold at the several
mints Fifth-The resumption of specie pay
ments to commence on the first day of Janu-
ary, eighteen hundred and seventy-nine The
Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to use
the surplus specie in the treasury; but if that
is not sufficient to sell bonds in order to OBJ
tain gold to pay the treasury notes. But this
last provision does not, like the others, 60 into
immediate effect. The legal tender act re-
mains undsturbed. In 1.-THE House, MIR. Hayes,
of Alabama, offered resolution for the ap-
pointment of select committee to inquire in
to the political affairs in Alabama, and also
as to the necessity for Federal soldiers in that
State, the alleged intimidation Of voters, &c.
Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, suggested that
the committee should also inquire as to the
distribution of rations voted by Congress for
the destitute of Alabama. No objection was
raised and Mr. Hayes resolution was adopted.
The House adopted resolution adjournlng
from Wednesday to the 5th of January.