The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-14
Congressional Proceedings.

Congressional Proceedings.
FaIpAY.--Yarious District bills aud
others of no general interest were disposed
of temporarily in tho Senate. The debate
upon the Bankrupt bill was continued, and
various amendments were agreed to.
The day in the House was devoted to
the discussion Of private bills, and large
number were acted on. The memorial Of
Edmund Wolf, Of Baltimore city, and
certain citizens of Pennsylvania, asking
payment for the destruction of property by
order of the United States authorities in
1868, was RETIRED to the Committee on
War Claims
SATuRDAY.--The Senate was not in
session.
The House held session for debate
and several speeches were delivered upon
the questions Of cheap transportation, the
currency, &c.
MoNDAY.-ln the Senate, Hon. John
S Hagan, Of California, was admitted to a
seat Mr.. Sherman Withdrew his motion
to reconsider the assent Of the Senate TO
the joint investigation into the affairs of
the District of Columbia \ large num-
Der Of now bills and resolutions were
introduced and disposed of temporarily.
The debate upon the Bankrupt bill was
continued, and various amendments were
adopted. A communication from the
Governor of New York was received,
presenting on behalf of that State bronze
statue Of General Clinton, to be placed in
the old hull of the House.
In the House resolution providing for
the inal adjournment of Congress on the
18th of May, led to considerable discus
sion, and was finally referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means. The
Committee on Elections reported in favor
of w. W. Wiltshire us entitled to seat
from the Third Arkansas District. A
resolution declaring that Congress has full
power to regulate transportation between
the States, and that the present condition
Of commerce demands its exercise was
adopted--yeas 40, nays 81, The House
refused 10 entertain resolution declaring
that any increase of the currency shall be
made by the issue Of greenbacks. A bill
was passed removing the political disabili-
ties Of H. II. Sibley, of Fredericksburg,
Virginia.
TUEsDAY.---ln the Senate a bill was
introduced repeating the political disabili-
ties of Admiral Raphael Semmes also
bill for the coinage Of twenty-cent pieces.
Mr., Allison was appointed to fill vacancy
on the District Investigating Committee,
and it was announced that Mr.. Boutwell,
will be chairman of the committee. The
amended Bankrupt bill was then taken up
and passed, by vote of 40 yeas to II
nays. The most important ofthcse amend
ments relate to the manner of forcing a
debtor into involuntary bankruptcy. 1t
is provided that when any debtor attempts
to give preference to one or more of his
creditors by making transfer of his
property, or couiessing judgment, or when
banker, broker, merchant, trader, manu-
facturer or miner suspcnds payment of
his,commercial paper for forty days, he
shall be adjudged bankrupt on tho petit
ton of at least one-fourth of his creditors
in number, the aggregate of whose claims
amount to at least Onc-third the entire
indebtedness, This provision applies to all
cases that have been commenced Since the
LIST Of December, 1873.
In the House Mr.. Stowell reported
fayorably on bill to so amend the postal
laws as to allow the person sending a book,
newspaper, pamphlet or other printed
document by mail to write his name and
address on the wrapper without subjccting
the same to higher rates Of postage Mr..
Butler made personal explanation, in
which he paid his respects to some of the
newspaper correspondents who have been
telling lies about him The Committee
on Banking and Currency was directed to
investigate the Affairs of the First National
Bank Of Washington.
WEDHEsDAy.-In tho Senate, resolu-
ton Of investigation into the conduct of
Major Louis Merrill, charged with receiv-
ing pay from the South Carolina Lcgisla-
ture for services performed in the line of
duty, was discussed. A committee from
the Secretary of the Treasury was received.
stating that il would take four years for
the coinage in United States minis of
sufficient silver pieces to replace the
fractional currency. The bill to equalzc
the National banking circulation was dis
cusscd until adjournment, and various
amendments were agreed to-
In the House number of bills relating
TO Indian affairs were passed, and the
selection of members on the part Of that
body for the District Investigation Com
mittee was completed. The House con-
CURED in the Senate amendments to the
joint resolution authorizing court of
inquiry TO Investigate the charges against
General o. o. Howard. The Army Ap-
preparation bill was passed, with amend
ments.
THURSDAY, Yin the Senate Mr.. Har-
vey, of Kansas and Mr.. Pease, of Arkan-
sas, were admitted to seats. The debate
upon the bill TO equalize the circulation of
National banks was continued, but no final
action was taken.
In the House the bill to repeal the stamp
duty on matches was taken up, and Mr..
Dawes made speech in which he declared
that the condition of the United States
Treasury was such that the repeal of this
duty would be most imprudent. He stated
that unless proper provisions was made,
the receipts Of the Government for the
fiscal year would fall behind the expcndi-
lures, and advocated material reduction
of expenditures as the best method to
meet the emergency.