The Grange advance., 1874-12-29
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

SENATE, Dec 2l.-Numerous petitions
were presented from temperance Oraaniza-
tions, ministers and others in Pennsylvania
and other States, asking Congress to prohib-
it the manufacture and eale Of alcoholic liQ-
uors in the District OF Columbia or the Ter
1itories: Referred. Mr.. Sherman introduce
ed bill M for the resumption of specie pay
the recess he would call up his bill provid
ing for the election Of President and Vice
President by direct vote of the people. Mr..
Brennan asked that the vote Of last session
by which the proposition to establish the
territory OF Pembina was rejected, be recon-
sidered and recommitted to the committee
on territories; agreed to. The district bill
was then taken up, occupying the time until
adjournment.
HOUSE, Dec. 2l.-Bills for the improve.
ment Of the Mississippi, for lighthouse on
Lake Superior and to restore the income tax
were introduced. The House refused tosec-
ond the. previous question for an inquiry into
the safe burglary conspiracy. A select
committee was appointed to inquire into
political affairs in Alabama. Dawes. chair
man of the committee OF ways and means.
reported that Richard B. Irwin had refused
to answer certain questions as to the dispo.
sition of the $751;, 900 Pacific Mail corruption
fund, and after somewhat lengthy discus
sion. it was ordered without division that
he be ordered before the bar of the house for
contempt. The house then voted to ad-
journ from Wednesday, the 23d, to January
9Th, after which it proceeded to vote on Hoi-
mans resolution prohibiting the granting OF
subsidies Of any kind in aid of private or
public enterprises, which was defeated, not
the vote standing 149 yeas to IS NAYS. Aver
ill and Strait voted no, Dunnell not voting
A motion to lay over the resolution was re-
jected by yeas 100, nays l26: Adjourned.
SENATE, Dec. 22.-The pending question.
the District bill, was after remarks by Mer.
riam in opposition to MortOn's amendment.
passed over. Sherman's bill, providing lor
the resumption of specie payment in 1879.
for free banking and the retiring Of green.
backs to the extent of 80 per cent of the
amount of new national bank notes issued.
and the gradual withdrawal of $46 ,O0O, 600 OF
fractional currency, was then taken UP and
discussed. Several amendments were offer
ed and voted down, and the bill passed as
introduced by q vote Of 80 yeas to Ia nays.
Senate adjourned.
House, Dec. 22.-Owing to ill.health the
House excused Mr.. Irwin from appearing
before it for the present, and the committee
was given authority to hold sessions in New
/, York in connection with the investigation.
The naval appropriation bill was then taken
| up aud discussed, during which Messrs,
Creamer and Crittenden assailed the admin
istratien Of the navy, and especially charging
that the navy yards were mere political
machines for advancing the interests of the
Republican party, to which O'Neil and 9th.
ers replied: Finally the bill passed: A large
number of leaves Of absence for Christmas
holidays were granted, when adjourned.
l. SENATE, Dec 23.-Notice was received o.
the intended absence of Vice President Viii.
son, and Matt Carpenter was elected Presi-
dent pro tenn, by a vote of 80 to IS fol
Thurman: Mr.. Morton introduced reso.
luton to take up and consider the creden.
tials OF P. 8. B. Pinchbeck, claiming to be
Senator from Louisiana, but objection wa.
made and it went over. A small amount 0
other miner business was transacted, ana
the Senate adjourned to January s.
HOUSE, Dec. 23.-Among the minor billt
introduced was one declaring La Crosse ,
port OF entry. Mr. Maynard then moved Il