Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-04
congressional Summary,

Congressional Summary,
Senate.
FRIDAY, February 20.-Several petit
tons were presented.-A resolution was adopted
for an inquiry into the expedency of superseding
the present system of parchmens in the last stages
OF bllls also resolution asking the Secretary of
the Treasury to report the number of illicit distil-
leries suppressed by the government in the last six
months.-The financial bill then again came M
but was not disposed of.
House.
No business of importance was transacted in the
House.
House.
SATURDAY, February 21.-A bill was
introduced confirming and ratifying the agreement
made by Felix Brunot with the Eastern band of
Shoshone Indians, for the purchase by the United
States of onethird of the Shoshone reservation for
5000, payable in cattle, at the rate Of S. 600 wear
The bill authorizing the Washington CITY and
Point Lookout Railroad Company to extend ITS line
through Washington considered; also num-
Der Of private bills.-Adjourned over Monday
Senate.
TUESDAY, February 24.-Several petit
| tons, memorials and resolutions were presented.
"A communication from the Secretary of War
was read in relation to the breakwater at Duluth
The Senate then considered private bills. and
consideration of the bill to equalize the dstribu-
ton of currency. Senator Schurz delivered an
able argument against imitation, and followed
by Senator Morton.
House.
Bills were introduced, to regulate the service CT
col ecion Of customs; to regulate the duties on i'm
ported wines to enable the Mennonites of Russia
to effect permanent settlement on public lands
to abolish the offices of commissioner Of internal
| revenue, commissioner Of customs, etc.; to in
crease the currency and provide for its intercon-
| version with government bonds and to abolish
| the sinking fund to abolish capital punishment
= The ways and means committee reported bill
to facilitate the expectation of distilled spirits
which passed.-The bill to provide for the 1istr-
button of documents was then debated, but went
yer.-AdJourned.
Senate. ...f-.
WEDNESDAY,, February 25.-A bill
was introduced, authorizing the Secretary of the
Interior to ascertain and certify as the the quantity
of land located under military warrants in certain
states; also to compensate the Louisville Boards
town Turnpike Company for two bridges DESTROYED
military necessity in 1862; also Joint resolution
that the bronze statue of Thomas which Was pre-
sented in 1884 by Lieut.. q. P. Levy of the the navy
be be now formally accepted with grateful apprecia-
of the public buildings and grounds be
directed to properly prepare and place it
in the national statuary hall of the CAPITOL
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of
the bill to provide for the appointment of COM
mission on the subject of the alcoholic liquor traffic
AT the expiration of the morning hour the con-
sideraton Of the bill to equaze the distribution of
currency was resumed. The debate lasted for some
time--Before adjournment the Chair laid before
the Senate message of the President in relation
to the centennial exhibition.
House.
Bills were reported, to amend the act Of June 10
1872, for the restoration to market of certain
lands in Michigan; for the issuing and re-
cording of commissions to postmasters appoint
ed by the President with the consent Of the Senate
to provide for more complete organization of the
State Department, creating two new Offices that of
third assistant Secretary of state and Of solicitor to
the Department of State, with salaries of $4,000 re-
spectivey, and abolishing the Office of examiner of
claims and to amend the steamship passenger act
in regard to the publication Of lists of emigrants
The House then resumed consideration of the
bill for the distribution Of public documents
Senate.
THURSDAY, February ga bill
amendatory of the fifteenth section of the act to
revise, consolidate and amend the statutes of the
post office department was passed.--The naval
appropriation bill was then taken up the commit
tee amendments concurred in, and the bill passed
The bill reduces the appropriation for drawing and
engraving charts from $4,000 to $4,000; provides
for three assistant observers at the Naval Observa
tory instead of two, and appropriates $4,000 for
preparing and publishing The Naval Almanac in
stead of $4,000, and increases the appropriation
for the equipment of vessels from 81 10000 to
81, $50 900; the provisions for officers seamen and
marines is increased from ST. no OCO to S1l52 600
that for repairs and preservation of boilers and ma
chinery is increased from S., 800 900 to ST. 600
The contingent expenses of the Naval Academy are
fixed at $4,000, instead of $4,000. Twenty thou
sand dollars are appropriated for the contingent
expenses of the Marine Corps instead of
SIS ,OOO.---The bill to provide for the
appointment of commission in regard to the alco-
holc liquor traffic was then discussed for time,
Loft Cnd 70
ton of executive business.-The army appropria
ton was next considered. AS reported from com
mittee, it makes reduction of $55O,OOO in the
appropriations Tor regulars supplies and incidental
expenses of the Quartermaster's Department and
of S218,OO0 in sundry other items.
House.
After passing bill allowing the use of the unex
pended balances OF the appropriations for the con-
struction of the branch mint at San Francisco the
House resumed consideration of the bill reviyine
the franking privilege. motion to lay on the
table was negatiyed, yeas 49, nays 40 also mo-
ton to reconsider the vote by which the main ques
ton was ordered, 126 to Al. An amendment au-
thorizing the Postmaster-G General to DELAY the
transmission of public documents whenever the
welfare OF the service shall require, offered
vote was then taken on the substitute offered by
Mr.. Hale, OF New York, to repeal the law which
abolished the Thanking privilege. The amendment
was reJected-yeas so, nays 1877. Of the Wisconsin
members, Messrs. Barber and Eldridge voted ave
A vote was thea taken ON the passage of the bin
and it was rejected--yeas 129, nays $50.
Messrs: Barber, Eldridge, Hazelton, Me-
Dill, Rusk, Sawyer, and Williams of Wis.
consin, voted aye, and Mr.. Mitchell no.
At the close OF the ron-cal, the vote being very
close, there was good deal of excitement among
the members, those who were in favor of tie bill
going around discussing the question and canvass
ing for changes. The first change was made by Mr..
Todd from no to aye. 1t was followed by change
on the part OF Clark, of Missouri while Hubbe and
Bureigh changed from aye to no.--After some
further business, the House took recess until
evening.
LII is now the practice OF some silk