Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-01-02
WASHINGTON MATTERS.
Senate.

The Senate passed the bill appropriating
100000 for the purchase of scales for the post
Office as amended by the House.
The Senate agreed to a conference asked for
by the House on the Tariff bill, and referred to
the Judiciary Committee a resolution offered by
Senator Morton directing the Acknowledgement
to take writ of error to the Supreme Court of
the United States from the decision of the
Supreme Court of Indiana denying colored
children the right to attend public schools.
Memorials for reducing the salary of the Presi-
dent to SEE, 900 year were read.
The Senate adopted a resolution instructing
the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the
jurisdiction of the Press-gag law, and passed
the House bill continuing in office the Board of
Audit of the District of Columbia
A joint resolution was presented making the
offices of President and President elective
and by the people, the officers to hold their
places six years. A bill authorizing the Presi-
dent Of the United States to issue temporarily
supplies of food and disused army clothing suffi-
Gent to prevent starvation and suffering to
destitute and helpless persons living on the
Western frontier who have been rendered so
by the ravages of grasshoppers during the past
summer, and appropriating 100000 to carry
out the provisions of the act.
A bill was introduced providing for the re-
demption of mutlated United States currency
by the postmasters of the several cities and
towns of the United States The Senate bills
removing number of political disabilities were
passed.
An investigation of the books of the late
Freedmens Bank was ordered.
Mr.. Stowell denied the charge of having sold
a naval cadetship and demanded an investiga-
ton the Diplomatic and Consular Appropria-
ton bill was reported the debate on the 3.65
Convertible Bond bill was resumed, and argu-
10
by Messrs Dawes, Phelps, and Smith the
Speaker announced various appointments to
! ill vacancies in committees. The Committee
on Ways and Means have summoned witnesses
| from New York to testify as to the alleged use
of improper influences by the Pacific Mail
Company to obtain subsidy from Congress.
| Mr. Orr, of Iowa, reported the bill allowing
homestead and presumption settlers i'll Iowa,
Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas, whose crops
we're destroyed or injured by grasshoppers in
| 1874, to be absent from their lanes until May,
| 1876, without prejudice to their rights. Passed.
Mr. Garfield made personal explanation.
Mr.. Dawes explained regarding the Pacific Mail
investigation, and at his suggestion an order
was issued for the arrest of the witness Irwin
! for contempt
The House adopted resolution for the APP
! pointment of a committee to proceed to Vicks-
| burg to investigate the troubles there, refused
to pass a resolution for an inquiry into the
| prosecution OF the so-called Safe-burglary COLI
sprators, and referred the bill to repeal the
rress-gag law to the Judiciary Committee, with
! leave to report at any time. Bills were intro
duced to repeal all acts requiring stamps on
checks for free banking and to withdraw legal
tender notes reducing letter postage to one
cent to amend the Constitution concerning the
official term of the President for the relief OF
the Southern States by the compromise and
settlement of their debts for commission to
investigate the political and legal condition of
the Southern States to repeal the law requiring
the prepayment of newspaper postage.
The House holiday was voted for December
23d to January 9Th.
The Speaker announced the appointment OF
the following committees Select Committee
to visit Vicksburg, Miss.-Messrs. Conger, OF
Mich. Hurlburt, of ILL.,, Williams, of Wis,
Speer of Penn. and O'Brien, of Nd Select
Committee on Louisiana and the Southern
States.-Messrs. G. F. Hoar, of Mass, Wheeler
of N. Y, Frye of Me-, Foster, of Ohio, Phelps
of N. j., Robinson, of ILL.,, and Potter, of N. Y
The Legislative appropriation bill was con-
sidered in the House, and during the debate Q
discussion arose in regard to the franking priv
lege, Messrs Kelley and Maynard speaking in
favor of its restoration and Mr.. Garfield against
it.