The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-12-23
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, December Is, memorials
were presented, asking for international
arbitration to settle disputes between this
and other nations, for the repeal Of the law
increasing postage On merchandise, and from
Louisiana against the Little Tariff bill.
Bills were introduced to prevent the issuing
of government bonds to the Central Union
Pacific, except for one hundred miles next
to the Missouri River, to attach Alaska to
Washington Territory by placing both under
one government, to bridge the Mississippi at
some point between Buffalo County, Wis.,,
and Winona County, Mimi, to pay certain
amounts to Southern claimants, and to allow
United States Minister Marsh to accept
present from the Italian government and
from Switzerland for services performed as
arbitrator. A resolution was offered and
agreed to, calling for a statement from the
Secretary of the Interior regarding reports
Of Indian agents.
In the Senate, December IA, petitions were
offered for the appointment of committee
to inquire into the traffic of alcoholic liquors.
A bill was passed to extend the duration of
the Alabama Claims Commission. A report
on the progress of the work at the mouth of
the Mississippi was presented. The Louisiana
question was discussed at length, and Mr..
McMillien granted leave to withdraw his
credentials. The report of the Attorney
General was presented and ordered printed.
......In the House Mr.. Blaine offered a
Constitutional Amendment providing
that no public money raised for school funds
shall be under the control of any religious
denomination. Bills were offered to appro-
pirate 100000 to pay certain claims OF
citizens; to repeal the resumption act Of
January IA, 1875; to fix the Presidential
Office at one term, but all ex-Presidents to be
Senators at large for life; to make the Pres
idenrs term six years, and that no one shall
be eligible for more than two terms, and
that after the next Presidential election the
term shall be six years, and the Office shall
be given but one term 10 any one person.
A resolution was offered to the effect that
disabled UnioI soldiers should be entitled
to preferment in appointment to subordinate
positions in the House, and another to the
effect that, inasmuch as the Union is re-
stored, all citizens are entitled to considera-
ton in said appointments.
In the Senate, December Is, a resolution
was introduced favoring the appointment of
a committee to inquire into the manufacture
and sales of intoxicating liquors. Resolu-
tons were offered creating a commission to
examine into the recent Mississippi cleo
tons, and report before the adjournment of
the Senate. A resolution requesting that
all correspondence, papers and facts relating
to whisky frauds, in possession of the Sec.
rotary Of the Treasury, be submitted to Con.
gress, occasioned a long discussion and was
finally withdrawn. Resolutions were offered
by Mr.. Morton, of Indiana, denying the right
OF any State to secede. They were ordered
printed and laid on the table......In the
House, resolutions were offered and dis
cussed favoring active preparation for re-
sumption of specie payments. After con-
siderable debate they were referred to the
Committee on Banking. A bill was intro
duced to restore formal postal rates on third
class matter, and after long discussion il
was referred to the Postoflice Committee. A
resolution was also offered removing all
political disabilities from ex-Confederates.
A resolution was introduced aud adopted
calling for statement of the expenditures
and working Of the Quartermaster- Generals
Office since General Meigs' absence. A reso-
luton was adopted abolishing the Freed.
mems Bureau. A resolution was presented
favoriUg the adjustment of National
banks, and the substitution of greeubacks.
Referred. The principal business of the
day was the adoption by strong vote Of a
resolution against granting subsidies of any
kind to corporations, and by nearly as strong
a vote an anti.third-term resolution. Both
these received very heavy affirmative
vote.
In the Senate, December 16, bills were in.
troduced to provide for commission to ex-
anime into the liquor traffic in the United
States, and report to the President and Con-
gress the extent thereof, and its effect, both
upon the revenue and the health, morals
and general standing and condition of the
people OF the country. A resolution was
agreed to that committee be appointed to
investigate the election OF Senator Spencer
Rep.6 OF Alabama, said to have been elect
ed by fraud. The resolution to appoint a
committee to examine into the NJ .ssissippi
elections occasion ed long debate between
Messrs. Bayard Of Delaware, and Morton of
Indiana. No conclusion was reached. A
bill was offered creating special officers TO
alleged pension frauds. 1t was
resolved TO adjourn on Monday to January 4.