Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-05-12
CONGRESSIONAL.

The Senate was not in session on the I'd.
Tn the House Mr. Luttrell, of California,
made personal ezl lanation. Various Ex-
ecutive OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES isposed'of, and
number of private bills were passed. I
In the Senate, on the 18th, bill was intro.
duced by Mr.. Stewart for the resumption by
Congress of the legislative powers delegated.
to the District of Columbia. The petition
of General George e. Pickett, of Virginia,
for the removal of his political disabilities,
was referred to the judiciary Committee
The Senate resolution appropriating 100000
for the relief of sufferers by the overflow of
the Mississippi was at its request returned
from the House, and the amount was increased
TO $3.50, 900, after which the bill was again
passed. The Civil Rights bill was 'takensup,
and during its discussion Mr.. Fenton managed
to deliver his speech on reform in the customs
service. The Senate soon after adjourned
In the House bill was introduced to relieve
the political disabilities of Admiral Raphael
Semmes. The Senate bill relating to the duty
on imported fruit was passed. Mr.. Kasson's
bill for the redemption of three per cent loan
certificates, and allowing the distribution of
circulating notes to the amount of S25, 000,-
900 by the Comptroller of the Currency to
banks having less than their proportion of
currency, those having excess being required
to return the amounts as issued from their
surplus, was taken up. Pending discussion
the House adjourned.
In the Senate, on the 5th, the BIZ: for the
relief OF the sufferers by the Mississippi over
flow was reported from the Committee on Ap-
preparations, with the.amoupt fixed at $780,
600. Mr.. Alcorn urged that care should be
taken to distribute the relief fund in proper
manner, and showed how the resources of the
suffering States had been wasted by irrespon>
sibe negroes and officials elected by their
votes, and that the present unsafe condition
of the levees is due to their malaLministra-
ton. After additional debate the bill was re-
committed. The Civil Rights bill then came
up. Pending i,s consideration the Senate
wertiatn Executive session, and at its close
adjourned. In the House the bill making
appropriation in aid of the Centennial Expo>
sition was taken up. Messrs. Kelley, Packard
and Tremain favored the bill, and Mr. Hale
opposed it.
In the Senate, on the 9th, the Senate Com
mittee on Finance reported substitute for
the House Currency bill. In the House the
discussion on the Centennial bill was resumed
and number of speeches were delivered, but
no action was taken.
In the Senate, on the 18th, the House bill
for the relief of sufferers by the overflow Of
the Mississippi was reported from the Com
mittee on Appropriations, with an amend
ment making the amount 100000. The
bill as amended was passed. In the House
the debate upon the Centennial bill was sumed,
and number of speeches were made. Mr..
Hawley closed the debate in favor of the BILL
A vote was taken, aud the House refused to
order its engr"ssment-yeas 90, nays 13S.-
tbs vote was subsequently reconsidered, and
motion made to rccommit. A motion was
then made to lay the bill on the table, but
without taking vote the House, at $40 P.
~, adjourned.
In the Senate, on the Sth, Mr.. Summers
joint resolution providing for the settlement
of International disputes by arbitration was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela,
tions. In the House the Senate amendment
to the bill for the relief of sufferers by the
Mississippi overflow, was concurred in. The
motion to table the Centennial bill was wish>
drawn, and the bill was .recomu1;tted.