The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-05-09
Congressional Proceedings.

FRIDAY.--ln the Senate Hon. VIM. Is.
Washburn, of Massachusetts,, was admitted
to a seat for the unexpired term Of the
late Charles Sumner, The House bill ap-
nropriating 800, 600 in aid of sufferers by
the Mississippi overflow, was passed Mr..
Boutwell, was, at his own request, relieved
from service Gu the Committee of Claims,
and Mr.. Washburn was appointed in his
place. \ bill to remove the political dis
abilities Of Gen Henry Heath, of Virginia,
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Considerable routine business was disposed
Of, and various calendar bills were passed.
A bill relating to claims of citizens Of New
Mexico was also passed. The Senate then
went into executive session, and ut its close
adjourned until Monday,
la the House the discussion of the In
dian Appropriation bill was commenced in
the Committee of tho Whole. A number
of speeches were delivered, after which the
reading of the bill by sections was COM
mcreed. The debate upon the Indian
Appropriation bill was resumed in the
evening session, but no action of impor-
lance was taken.
SATURDAY.-Thc Senate was not in
session.
In the House Mr.. Roberts reported u
bill to amend the Custom Law, and 10 re
peal all laws allowing moieties to officers,
including the law under which the noto-
rious Sanborn contracts were made. Other
informcrs are never to receive more than
the value of the article seized, and in no
case more than $4,000 The exact sum
inside these limits is to be fixed by the
Secretary Of the Treasury, and that officer
is required to make a full annual report,
in each case, to Congress. Hereafter in
tent to definud must be shown, and judy
ment is not TO be given upon proof of mere
technical violation Of regulation. The call
for private bills was gone through with,
and a number were passed.
MoNDAY.-In the Senate bill TO con.
solidate the Pension Laws was reported
from the Committee on Pensions. A bill
was introduced by Mr. Stewart for the re-
sumption by Congress of the Legislative
powers delegated TO the District of Column
bia. The Finance Committee was directed
to inquire whether the provision of law
prohibiting the sale Of tobacco by the pro
Queer 20 any person not licensed dealer
should not be repealed. The petition of
Gen. George 4. Pickett, of Virginia, for
the removal of his political disabilities was
referred TO the Judiciary Committee. \
large number of bills and resolutions were
introduced aud disposed of temporarily.
The Senate resolution appropriating $780,
900 for the relief of sufferers by the over
flow of the Mississippi was at its request
returned from the House, aud the amount
was increased TO Sl50,000, after which the
bill was again passed, The Civil Rights
bill was taken up, and during its discussion
Mr. Fenton managed to deliver his speech
on reform in the custom service.
In the House Il large number of bills
for reference only were introduced Among
them was one by Mr. Archer, to prevent
hazing at the Naval Academy, aud one by
Mr.. o Bren granting pension to Mrs
Mary McDayill A bill was also intro
duccd to relieve the political disabilities o.
Admiral Raphael Scmmes Bills were
passed removing the political disabilitie,
of Geo. II. Collins and Richard j. Allison
of Maryland. The Committee ON Way:
and Means was instructed to inquire into
the propriety Of either repeating the tax
on leaf tobacco, or changing the character
of fines and penalties The Ways anC
Means Committee submitted its report ou
the moieties contracts, Mr.. Kasson's bill
for the redemption of three per cent. LOAF
certificates, aud allowing the distribution
of circulating notes to the amount of S25,
100000 by the Comptroller of the Cur
rency to banks having less than their pro.
portion of currency, those having excess
being required to return the amounts as
issued from their surplus, was taken up
Pending discussion the House adjourned
TuEsDAY-In the Senate bill appro-
priating $4,000 to the widow of Edmund
Randolph, was passed. Mr.. Randolph, 1
prominent lawyer Of San Francisco, wa
employed by Attorney General Back t,
appear for the Government in the ccle
DRAFTED Almeda silver mine case. He wal
paid $4,000, but demanded much largel
sum. lie died in 1860, shortly after tht
case was decided, and before his claim wa,
settled. His widow appealed to Congress
and produced letters from eminent lawyer
setting forth that the services rendered b.
her deceased husband were worth s75 900
The Senate has awarded her $4,000
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on Ap
preparation, reported bill increasing III,
amount voted 10 the sufferers by the Mis-
sissippi floods from 100000 to s150,000
Mr.. Alcorn urged that care should b
taken to distribute the relief fund in
proper manner, and showed how tn,
resources Of the suffering States had beef
wasted by irresponsible negroes and official
elected by their votes, and that the presen
unsafe condition Of the lcvees is due b
their maladministration. After additioua
debate the bill was rccommittcd. TIL
Civil Rights bill then came up. Pendin,
its consideration the Senate went int,
Executive session, and at its close ad
journed.
In the House resolution was adopted
directing the Joint Committee ON tn,
Affairs Of the District to inquire into tn
very extraordinary safe robbery ut tn,
'Othee OF the United States District Attor
,ney. The Centennial bill was considered
in Committee Of the Whole. Mr.. Kelley
'of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Packard, of Indiana
and Mr.. Tremain, Of New York, mad
speeches in favor of an appropriation o
three millions Of dollars BY Congress, Will
Mr.. Hale, Of Maine, made strong spcccl
against the appropriation.
WEDNEsDAY.--In the Senate Senate
Sherman reported substitute for tn
House Cuneacy and Banking bill. Som
other miscellaneous business was transact
cd but none Of special note.
In the House the day was chiefly takel
up with debate upon tho Centennial bill
the tone Of the discussion being decided,
adverse al to the success of that enterprise
The probabilities are that the bill will fai
ia the House.
THuRsDAY.-In the Senate the Hous
bill for the relief of sufferers by tho over