The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-31
Congressional Pr0cssaing..

FRIDAY.-In The Senate, Mr.. Thurman
presented a memorial, signed BY leading
men Of the District OF Columbia, complain
ing Of maladministration in the District
Government, particularly in the action Of
the Board Of Public Works. The bill for
the protection Of the public works at the
mouth of the Mississippi was taken up,
discussed to some extent and finally
recommittcd. The finance question was
then taken up and discussed by Mr..
Stewart in opposition to imitation. The
annual Post routebil was taken up, amend.
ed and passed Mr.. Frelinghuysen intro
duced bill to facilitate the distribution Of
public documents, providing that the
postage on no single public document shall
exceed twenty-five cents, and that they
may be exempt from the requirement Of
prepayment. Of postage when sent by
members Of Congress or Heads Of Depart
ments
In the House Of Representatives, the
West Virginia contested election cases
were discussed without any action being
taken. Mr.. Coburn, of Indiana, from the
Committee on Military Affairs offered a
resolution providing that a Court of Inqui-
ry, consisting Olive officers to be appointed
BY the President, be convened to inycsti-
gate the charges against General Howard,
the committee to report upon s.moral as
well as technical and LEGAL responsibility. .
for any offences that may be discovered.
The resolution was ordered to be printed
and reeomuitted.
SATURDAY. Senate was not in
session.
The day in the House was deyoted to
general debate. Messrs. Robbins and Cain
discussed the Civil Rights bill. and Messrs.
Bundy, Berry and Kelley spoke upon the
finances.
MOSDAY.-In the Senate number Of
new bills and resolutions were introduced
aud disposed of temporarily. The bill
abolishing the Office of Deputy Collector
Of Internal Revenue was passed. The
Pinchback case was taken up and Mr..
Morton stated that new evidence had re-
Gently been submitted TO him. showing
that Mr.. Pinchback was not a proper per
son to hold seat in the Senate. Mr..
McCreery also opposed the admission Of
Mr.. Pinchback. Pending debate the
Senate went into executive session, and AT
its close adjourned.
In the House the usual number of
bills for reference only were introduced.
The Judiciary Committee was ordered to
inquire into the legal relations between
the Federal Government and the Govern.
ment of the District of Columbia. Add
tional discussion took place upon the West
Virginia election cases, but no action was
reached. The Senate hill making annro.
priation for placing busts of the late Chief
Justices fancy and Chase in the room of
the Supreme Court. was taken up and
passed.
TuEsDAY.-In the Senate memorial
asking investigation into affairs in the
District of Columbia was read and laid on
the table. A bill for the payment of
French spoliation claims was reported from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr..
Morton called up his resolution providing
for commission of five to examine into
the propricty Of regulating railroad trans.
pOrtation between the different States. and
delivered an elaborate argument in favor
of it. He asserted that Congress has
ample power to legislate in all cases of
interstate railroad traffic, including pas
sengers and rates of transportation. The
Supplementary Civil Rights bill was re.
ferred, after discussion, to the Committee
on the Judiciary. The bill authorizing
the organization of National banks without
circulation was discussed, but no action
taken.
In the House, the Senate amendments
to the Annual Post-route bill were con.
CURED in, and various bills of no general
interest were disposed of temporarily
The West Virginia election cases were de-
cided in favor of the candidates elected in
August, 1872, and Messrs, Davis and
Hagan were admitted as Representatives
WEDNEsDAY.-In the Senate bills were
introduced to revise the diplomatic and
consular systems of the United States. and
to provide assistance to Circuit Judges in
certain cases The discussion Of the reso.
luton on finances was continued. Mr.
Bayard advocated the putting of all cur
reney on a gold basis. and the early
resumption of specie payments. He crit.
cised the conduct Of Mr.. Boutwell, as
Secretary Of the Treasury, and advocated
return to the State bank system. Mr.
Morrill,, of Vermont. replied 10 the nos;.
tons assumed by Mr.. Boutwell, in his
recent speech. The Senate then went into
Executive session, and at its close adj.
journed.
In the House the bill reducing expep.
ditures for public buildings was reported
from the Committee on Appropriations
and referred to the Committee on Public
Buildings. A bill to consolidate the sta
re'e,r .n % 'he COMMITTEE Of the Whole.
a pnn masking appropriations for the
e .s1 T ci ilie.saVins stations was
PaSseu' Inc army Appropriation bill was