Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-11
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS
WEDNESDAY. Fehruarv,,

House by Mr.. Ward. He said that he was OBJ
posed TO the-bill of Mr. Ward, and believed IL
would be subversive of mining interests.
Through some Islander of the press or telegraph
this bill had been attributed TO him, and severe
criticisms had been passed upon him in conse-
quence He had not only not introduced any
such bill, but he was opposed to IL.
Mr.. Hamilton (Md.) presented petition of
Samuel Wetherel for the extension of his
patent for earding machines. Referred to Com
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
on motion of Mr.. Sherman, the memorials in
reference to District affairs were taken from
me table and referred to the joint committee OF
Mr.. Kelley, from Committee on Military AZ
talrs, reported bill for the relief of Col. DAME
Mcclure, and asked It's present consideration.
but Mr.. Wright objected, and il went over
Mr.. Bayard called up his resolution request.
ing the President TO communicate to the Senate
conduct OF any officer of the army stationed in
South Carolina who has received payment from
the legislature of that state for services per
formed in the line of his duty, or who has been
admitted to the bar of that state.
Mr.. Bayard referred TO the circumstances in
this connection which have already been pub-
Iished concerning the alleged action OF Major
Louis Merrill, of the eth cavalry, who is the Of
hcer alluded to, and sent to the desk TO be read
an article from the Columbia IS. c. PhoRir
recitlng the facts in connection with the awards
made by the legislative committee for
THE CAPTURE OF CERUAIN KU KLux
OF which 81 400 is awarded to Mayor Merrill
for procuring convictions, &c. He then com
mented on this conduct In an army Off Ger as
derogatory to the good name of the army.
Mr.: Scott defended Mayor Merrill, and said
that to him more than to any other man were
the people of North Carolina indebted for good
order In their state, and for its rescue from
anarchy. He pronounced him to be a gentle
man OF unimpeachable integrity, and was per-
fectly willing that all the information in refer
ence to Mayor Merrill's action should be furn-
ished.
Discussion on the resolution continued until
the expiration OF the morning hour, when it
The bill to provide for the equalization OF the
national banking circulation was taken up.
The Chair land before the Senate a communi-
cation from the Secretary of the Treasury stat
ing, in answer to resolution of the Senate,
that 1t will take four years for the minis TO pro-
duce enough silver coin to replace the fractional
and Mining.
Mr.. Sherman offered several verbal amend
ments to the banking bill, which were agreed
to.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Lowe (Kansas), from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported bill for the relief or settlers
on the Cherokee Indian lands in Kansas. III
extends the time TO submit proof of settlement
Passed.
Mr.. GiddiDgs CTexas), from the same COM
mittee, reported bill for the better protection
of the frontier settlements of Texas against In
dian and Mexican depredations, by the con-
mittee of the Whole. Also, reported a bill for
the removal of certain Indian tribes from Texas
and Louisiana to the Creek reservation in the
Indian territory, and to furnish them supplies
Tor one year; referred to Committee of the
Whole.
MIR. Sh2nks (Ins,). from same committee, re-
ported bill in relation 10 contracts made with
Indian tribes. 1t authorizes the Secretary OF
the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs to examine all contracts made prior to
May q, 1871, aud to endorse upon them whe-
thew fra m lent uar
and until such endorsement is made all officers
and employees of the United States are prohib-
TIED from recognizing the validity or such con-
MIR. Comingo MOI, from the same commit
tee, reported bill TO secure the more efficient
administration of Indian affairs. lit provides
that all books, papers and records relating to
Indian affairs and belonging to any agent or
| sub-ageDt; that all vouchers and papers relat-
ing TO sales; that all contracts for supplies and
goods shall all be considered public property
ard subject TO examination and inspection, and
any Indian agent, sub agent. or superintendent
Who shall refuse to permit such inspection shall
/ be liable to penalties of fine and imprisonment
Passed.
Mr.. Averill, (Minn.,) from same committee,
reported bill to secure to the Episcopal board
of missions so acres Of land in the White Earth
Indian reservation in Minnesota. The land 10
be given with the consent of the tribe known as
Mississippi Indians: Passed.
Also, reported bill for relief of Salome Beck
Referred 10 the Committee Of the Whole on
private calender.
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson (Ind.) the House
concurred in the Senate amendment to the
Joint resolution for an investigation OF District
affairs. The amendment was to insert three as
The Speaker stated that he had received a
communication from Mr.. Z. III. Roberts declin-
| ing to serve on the committee to investigate
District of Columbia affairs, because his time
was ali consumed ION the Committee of WAYS
and Means. Mr.. Bass, Of New York, was APP
| pointed in his place.
THE HOWARD INVESTIGATION.
On motion of MIR. Frye, (Me.,) the House
concurred in the Senate amendment TO the
| joint resolution authorizing a court of inquiry
| to investigate the charges against General 90.
Howard.
THE sANBoRN CONTRACTS.
MI. Foster, (Obio,) from the Committee of
Ways and Means, offered a resolution directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish the
| House with full copies of all contracts made I'M
der authority of the Treasury department with
| Mr.. Sanborn, together with copies OF all sched
ules and correspondents, the amount OF money
| paid, and to whom paid, &c.
| Mr.. Butler (Mass.) objected.
The House then resolved itself into Commit
tee Of the Whole, and resumed consideration OF
| THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL,
and ordered that all debate close in ten minutes.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Cobb (Kan-
sas) yesterday, in relation TO transportation on
the Pacific railroads, was rejected.
| Mr.. Bromberg Ala offered an amendment
that the two additional commissioners author
| lied by the bill shall be taken from among citi
zens of the states lately in rebellion. Rejected.
He also offered an amendment that no money
| should hereafter be paid out under this bill to
| any secret service agent or informer for the
| government. Ruled out as being new legisla-
| ton.
| Mr.. Cox (N.Y.) Offered an amendment, that
no money shall be paid for any purpose by any
| officer of the government, except upon a
| specific appropriation; and no money shall be
| paid out unless the same shall be appropriated
| by Congress.
| Mr.. Wheeler said that was now the law.
The amendment was rejected.
| Mr.. Todd (Pa.) offered an amendment, that
no part of the money appropriated by the bill
shall be applied to the payment of persons in
| civil life for service in inspecting and examin-
| ing work done in and about national ceme-
| teries.
Mr.; Wheeler made the point that 1t invol we'd
| new legislation.
The Chair overruled the point of order, and
| the amendment was rejected.
| Mr.. O'Brien (Md.) offered an amendment
that no officer of the army shall be called upon
| to enforce any proclamations OF the President
in Louisiana or any other state. Ruled out of
| order.
Mr.. Cox offered an amendment that the army
| of the United States shall not be used to en-
force the authority of the pretended kellogg
government in Louisiana, or to interfere in
any other state. Ruled out of order
| Mr.. Harr. son (Tenn.) offered an amendment