The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-04-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April %.
SENATE.

| SENATE.
Mr.. Spencer Introduced bill TO fact-
litate and regulate the commerce OF the
eeveral States and with foreign nations.
Referred.
After the introduction Of some bills
OF q personal nature, the Senate pro-
ceeded to consideration OF bills on the
calender and passed, among others,
House bill to amend the 3lst section oil
the act oil March Sd, 1868, for enrolling
and calling out national militia; also
Senate bill amedatory OF the act for
the restoration to homestead entry aud
market OF certain lands in Michigan,
approved June 10, 1872.
Senate bill declaring the true intent
and meaning oil the Union Pacific
Railroad act, approved June Let, 1862,
July %, 1861, and July Sd, 1866, was
read and objection was made 10 its
present consideration, on the ground
that it would cause debate and should
not be considered in the morning hour.
Mr.. Wright gave notice that ss the
bill was OF an important nature he
would move to take it up.
Mr.. Wright introduced a bill in re-
la,ion to salaries and civil service. 1t
provides for a reduction rom and after
the let OF October next Of ten per cent
in the compensation OF all officers and
EN- ployes OF the Senate, including the
Capital police, except the Secretary,
Chief Clerk, Sergeaut-at-Arms and the
Assistant Book Keeper; and excepting
the clerks OF Committees, whose pay
it proposes 10 cut down 80 per cent
The bill also proposes TO repeal the law
OF March 81, 1871, under which the
civil service commissioners were ap-
pointed and now hold office ;
and provides that clerks shall
be appointed in the various
executive departments, subject to
such examinations AS the heads OF the
respective departments may prescribe.
The bill, however, providing that the
clerks in each department shall be
classified geographically to correspond
with the Congressional Districts, and
that when a vacancy occurs 1t shall
be filed from the district which has
least representation till the clerkships
shall be equally divided among ail the
Congressional districts.
Mr.. Wright also introduced bill in
regard to pension agents. 1t proposes
to repeal the law which allows them
thirty cents for each voucher prepared
and paid by them.
The morning hour having expired,
Mr.. Frslinghuysen moved that the
Senate proceed 10 the consideration of
Senate Bill No, ], known as the supple
mentary civil rights bill. Agreed 10.
The amendments made by the Judi
ciary Committee were coucurred in and
the bill was reported to the Senate.
Mr.. Norwood said he desired TO sub
NIT some remarks on the bill, but was
unable TO do so on account OF severe
cold. He would be glad il Mr.. FIRE.
linghuyeen would speak to-day if pre-
pared, and he (Norwood) would 60 on
tomorrow.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen explained the
provisions OF the bill, and sad he in
voked for it the calm, impartial aud un-
partisan consideration of the Senate.
lie asked its passage only, as it should
commend itself as consistent with the
Constitution and with justice 10 all
classes OF society. He would be glad il
he who Was author OF the measure Mr.
Sumner) were here to put the capstone
upon the structure he was instrumental
in erecting. The bill was intended to
secure equal rights to the white
people as well as to the COL
ored race. The colored people
now produce every year about one hun
dred million dollars worth OF cotton
and should be vested with all rights
He argued that Congress had full
power under the Constitution to pass
the bill aud make any violation OF It's
provisions a penal offence.
Mr.. Thurmsn moved TO strike out
the second section OF the bill. This
section imposes fiue OF 500 Tor any
violation OF the act 10 be paid to th,
person aggreved. and provides further
tha, the party violating the act shaII
be deemed guilty OF misdemeanor and
pom conviction be fined not less than
$500 nor more than 81 900, or shall be
imprisoned not less than thirty days nor
more than one year. lie argued thai
the punishment provided was mons
trous, and besides that the Sec
,ioa provided fer double punishment.
Mr.. Conkling said il the Senator
thought the punishment too large be
could offer an amendment reducing IT
On motion OF Mr.. Boreman, the Sen
ate went into executive session and soor
alter adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kasson introduced a bill tc
amend the act for the redemption o
the three per cent temporary loan Ger.
tifica,es and Tor the increase OF nstlona
bank notes. Referred.
MI. Dawes introduced bill to smenC
the national currency acts and 10 estsb
lish free banking. Referred.
The House then took up the bill Il
carry into execution the provisions o
the fourteenth amendment to the Con
sitution and TO define certain rights o
United States citizens in foreign coun
: tries, and was addressed by Mr.. Hale
OF New York, in opposition to the bill
=, He gave p2tce that at the proPe
time be would move to lay it on the "a
ble. The bill then went over.
Mr.. Couger, rom the Committee O.
= Commerce, reported bill Tor the rehe
4, of the owners o. the steam ferry boa
= A. Burton, at Monoo, Illinois, permit
!. ting the inspector TO license it, altroug
: its boiler may not be stamped 10 sho,