Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-02-19
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

In the Senate, on the 10th, memorial of
the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce to
reestablish the United States Mint in that city
was referred. Mr.. Gordon, of Georgia, intro
duced bill to remove the legal and political
disabilities of Raphael Semmes, of Alabama.
Mr.. Bayard of Delaware, offered resolution
requesting the President to transmit to the
Senate the information called for by the rcso-
fstian of the Senate of March l, 1873, inquir-
ing whether my officer of the army stationed
in South Carolina has reoo;sed compensation
from the Legislature of that State for services
performed in the line of his duty, and whether
said officer has been admitted to practice at
the bar of that State, and whether such officer
has been detached from his command. Mr..
Wright objected to the present consideration
of the resolution, and it went over. A bill
authorizing the coinage of twenty-cent silver
pieces was referred to the committee on IL
nance. The unfinished business, being the
bankrupt bill, it was taken up. Besides the
amendments published in the ENQUIRER last
week, the following were agreed to: that any
arrangement for settlement entered into be-
tween bankrupt and his creditors, SHALL tc
be valid, be confirmed by the signature two.
thirds in number of the creditors, and one.half
in value also to amend the S9th section rs
amended with December 1st, 1873, so that
the provisions of the amended section shall
apply to all cases of involuntary and compul-
sorry bankruptcy commenced since that date.
The bill having been considered in committee
of the whole, was then reported to the Senate,
and was concurred in. In the House, Mr..
Packer, of Pennsylvania, from the committee
on post Offices and post roads, reported bill
to amend the act to revise and consolidate the
statutes relating to the Post Office Depart
ment so as to prescribe an oath of Office to be
taken by post Office officials; passed. Mr..
Dauford, of Ohio from the same committee,
reported adversely on the bill to allow legal
manuscripts to be sent through the mails at
reduced rates laid on the table. Also reported
favorably on bill to so amend the postal
code as to allow the name of a sender Of a
book, paper or pamphlet, and his address, to
be written on the wrapper without subjecting
the same to higher rates of postage. The bill
also authorizes form of presentation, with
the name of the donor, to be written on the
inside of any book, magazine or pamphlet. 1t
was explained that the bill was necessary in
consequence of recent decision by the Post
master General, that any writing upon
newspaper wrapper except the address of the
party to whom it was sent subjected it to let
ter postage. The bill was passed. Mr.. But
ler, of Tennessee, from same committee, re-
ported bill to amend the Indian appropria-
ton bill for the year ending June 30, 1871, so
as to authorize suits against the administrator
or administrators of the estates Of Indians Of
the eastern band of Cherokees residing in
North Carolina passed.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Bayara
called up his resolution requesting the Presi-
dent to communicate to the Senate any infor-
nation in his possession relative to the con-
duct of any officer of the army stationed in
South Carolina who has received payment
from the Legislature of that State for services
performed in the line of his duty, or who has
been admitted to the bar Of that State. He
referred to the alleged action Of Major Louis
Merrill, of the seventh cavalry, who is the
officer alluded to, in connection with the
awards made by the legislative committee for
the capture of certain ku-klux, of which S2l,-
400 is awarded to Major Merrill for procu-
ring convictions, &c. He then commented
on this conduct in an army officer as deroga-
tory to the good name Of the army. Scott
defended Major Merrill, and said that to him
more than to any other man were the people
of South Carolina indebted for good order in
their State, and for its rescue from anarchy.
He pronounced him to be a gentleman OF un-
impeachable integrity, and was perfectly will
ling that all the information in reference to
Major Merrill's action should be furnished
Discussion on the resolution continued until
the expiration of the morning hour, when it
went over. The bill to provide for the equal
ization of the national banking circulation
was taken up and discussed until adjourn
ment. In the House, several bills relating to
Indian affairs were passed. Concurrence was
given in the Senate amendment to investigate
the charges against General Howard. The
army appropriation bill was reported by the
committee and passed The fortihcation bill
was then taken up. Mr.. Starkweather ex-