The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-17
Congressional Proceedings.

FRIDAY.--In the Senate a petition of
Baltimore merchants demonstrating against
the repeal Of the Bankrupt Act, aud
asking its amendment, was laid on the
table. The bill relating to the capital of
National banks was discussed until the
expiration Of the morning hour. Adj
ditional debate took place upon the Salary
bill, but nothing ofimportanee was Effected
Pending discussion, the Senate went into
Executive session, aud at its close adjourned
until Monday.
In the House the Fertilization bill was
made the special order for Wednesday
next. Formal speeches were made and
the customary resolutions adopted in rela-
ton to the deaths of Messrs. Brooks and
Foster
SATURDAY.--The Senate was not in
session. The day in the House was de-
voted to speech-makiug, during which
affairs in Louisiana, the finances and the
Civil Rights bill were discussed.
M0NDAY.-The Senate closed debate
on the congressional salary bill, and adopted
a substitute offered by Mr.. Conkling to
the House bill. The bill as then passed
repeats so much of the act Of March 3.
1873, as provides increased compensation
of any public officer or employee Of the
government, except the President and the
Judges Of the Supreme Court, and fixes
the compensation the same as il was before
the passage Of the act, provided that mile
age shall not be allowed for the first session
of the Forty-third Congress, and that all
moneys received for mileage and all back
pay now in the custody of the treasury be
covered into the treasury.
As usual in the House on Monday,
large number of bills, &C., were introduced.
Mr.. Kelly's resolution of last week to
bridge the present emergency by tenn
porary loan bearing low interest and re-
deemable in United States notes, was
defeated for want of two-thirds vote in
the affirmative. The House then by reso-
luton and 231 yeas to 3 nays, declared
that there is no necessity for increased
taxation or for an increase Of the public
debt by another loan, economy alone being
necessary on the part of Congress in view
Of the financial condition of the country
A committee of thirteen was authorized to
confer in regard to the completion of the
Washington national monument before the
American centennial in 1876.
TUEsDAY,-In the Senate several new
bills were introduced and disposed of.
The discussion of the financial system of
the country was continued, and Mr..
Frelinghuysen offered new bill in rela-
ton to the subject The deaths of Messrs.
Brooks and Foster, formerly members Of
the House, were announced, and the Gus
tomary resolutions were adopted.
In the House additional consideration
of the Educational Fund bill was postponed
until tho third Tuesday of March The
debate upon the Naval Appropriation bill
was renewed, and various amendments we're
offered. The Senate amendment to the
Salary bill was concurred in without dis
cussion-yeas 226, nays 25 The bill now
goes to the President for his signature.
WEDNEsDAY.--The Senate resumed
consideration Of the finance committee
resolution pledging the faith of the United
States for the redemption of legal tenders
in coin at the earliest practicable period.
Mr.. Schurz made the only speech on the
subject. He advocated the minority reso-
luton of MIR. Bayard instructing the COM
mittee to report measures to secure at the
earliest possible day return to specie
payments, but if that failed he would vote
for the committees resolution.
In the House, Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia,
explained that he was absent but had he
been present he would have voted no on
the salary repeal. Mr.. Lowndes, of
Maryland, who was also absent, would
have voted aye Mr.. 0'Bricn held that
the reduction of appropriations made in
the bill before the House were simply put
forward to deceive the people, and that if
the expenses Of the Government are really
to be lessened, the necessary amounts
should be taken from departments where
they can be better spared, and where their
excision would not ultimately have the
effect of creating deficiency bills. The
Committee on Elections reported in favor
of the claims Of Messrs. Wilson and Mar
tin, elected in October, 1873, to seats in
the House as members from West Virginia.
THURsDAy,-Nothing of Importance
TRANSFERRED in either House. Several bills
wara naoaaI