The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-06-20
Congressional Proceedings.

ing tax on g0lu anu sevu'ieios' W"
was introduced to construct tunnel under
the Hudson river, between New York and
New Jersey, and one between New York
and Brooklyn, with amendments The
committee on commerce reported with
amendments river aud harbor appropria-
ton bill, recommending among other
items, the appropriation Of $4,000 for the
Improvement Of Chester river, at Kent,
Nd. The currency bill was then taken
nm. and after further discussion was passed
by a vote of 81 yeas aud % nays.
In the House the committee on apprO-
priatious reported bill appropriating
S500,O00 for the relief Of the sufferers by
the overflow of the Mississippi river. A
petition was presented, signed by three
hundred practical printers in the city Of
Washington, asking Congress to stay
further proceedings in relation to fixing by
law scale of prices for work in any and
all mechanical establishments carried on
by the government of the United States,
because they hold II to be class legislation
The civil service reform bill was next
taken up, but no final action was taken
thereon.
SATURDAY.-In the Senate the Con
ference Committees report on the bill to
wind up the affairs Of the Frcedmen's
Bank was coneurred in. The Transporta-
tion Committee made an unfayorable
report on the House bill for a ship canal
at the mouth of the Mississippi, accom-
panied with provision for the appoint
ment by the President of Board of
Engineers to survey the river and decide
upon the best method for the improvement
Of its navigation. Mr.. Mortonss commit
tee was discharged from any further con-
sideration Of the charges against Senator
Mitchell. The House bill for compelling
the Pacific railroads to pay their debts to
the Government was passed. The House
announced by message its rejection of the
Currency bill reported by the Committee,
and, after some discussion, n new commit
tee was ordered. Mr.. Edmundsan Judge
Thurman spoke of it as being waste Of
time and labor to go over the financial
business again, and wanted to have it
dropped for the session, but they were
ONerruieu DJ inc MINORITY.
In the House the Senate amendments to
the bill repeating moieties were non-con-
CURED in, and Conference Committe was
ordered. The Currency bill was rejected
by vote of los to li6, and new com
mittce appointed. The Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill was taken up, aud Mr..
Goburn moved that the amount for the
continuation of work at present on tho
new department buildings at Washington
should be cut down to $4,000. A
colloquy arose on this point, in which the
late Secretary Richardson and Supervising
Architect Mullctt were handled without
gloves Mr.. Specr limited that Mr.. Plat
was interested in the stone contract, which
insinuation the Virginia member repealed
with some heat. Mr.. Coburn's motion
was rejected, but subsequently, $4,000
was fixed rs the sum. The appropriation
for furniture for buildings under the
control Of the Treasury Department wa,
cut down to sl50000. Another amend
ment strikes down the whole system Of
Civil Service Reform by repeating the law
for the appointment of the Commission, il
place Of which it was provided that ap
pointments in the Government employ
shall be made from Congressional districts,
and that preference shall always be given
to honorably discharged soldiers aud sail
ors, or the widows Of those deceased.
MoSDAY.-In the Senate petitions wcr'
presented from Baltimore business houses
against the passage Of the law taxing thu
sales of gold, stocks and bonds. A com
mittee Of conference was ordered on tn,
Geneva Award bill. Mr.. Carpenter re
ported from the Committee on the Judi
ciary bill of which one section is inten
ded to make newspaper correspondents ii
Washington subject to libel suits ON aceoun
Of the papers which they represent. Mr.
Bayard attacked the provision rs direc
blow at the liberties of the press, but j
was, nevertheless, adopted,b by the Senate
MIR. Edmunds submitted report from tn
Conference Committee on the Bankrup
bill, which was concurred in. 1t is tn
Senate's original bill with the amendmcn
that bankrupt, after paying thirty pc
cent. of his Indebtedness, may be dis
charged with the consent of one-third o
his creditors. The resolution instructini
the Committee on Appropriations TO repor
al amendment to the River and Harbo
bill, providing for now surveys of the pro
jected works recommended by the Sclec
Committee on Transportation, was adopted
In the House the conference commit
tees report on the Freedmen's Bank bill
was agreed to. A petition was presente,
for the purchase OF bust OF William
Pinkncy, Mr. O'Brien presented tn
memorial Of Baltimore workingmen 70
the re-enactment of the ten per cent. dut
on imported iron and steel An amend
ment to the General Appropriation BIZ
was adopted, requiring the heads of tn
several executive departments to prescrib
and publish rules for tho examination .
applicants for appointment to position, an
adistribution of the appointments as nearl
as practicable among the several Congress
sional districts in proportion TO population
preference being given to soldiers an,
sailors. A debate occurred over III
provision for the payment of the claims o
the Chocktaw and Chickasaw Indians, an
1t was finally referred to tho Secretary Q
the Treasury. At the evening session tn
bill for the construction Of public building
in number of cities named was laid o
the table.
TUEsDAY.--In the Senate a larg
number of bills were passed. Anon
them were the following House bill
authorizing the issue of duplicate agricul
tural land scrip where the original has bee
lost or destroyed; allowing the Secrctar,
OF the Treasury to suspend work on th
public buildings at his discretion; to al
in the construction of railroad lino iroil
the Missouri river to the Pacific Ocean
providing for the publication of the revise
statues Of the United States; to conie
additional jurisdiction upon the Crimina
Court Of the District Of Columbia, aud bill
Tor the election OF Congressman at larg
from the State Of Alabama. A bill
facilitate commerce between the seyera