Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-12-25
CONGRESS.

THURSDAY, Dec. 10. - ne senate
was the only House of Congress 10 ses-
sion Thursday A number Of petitions
asking the appointment of a commits
sion to inquire into the liquor traffic
were presented, and Mr.. Howe submit
ted bill to constitute such commits
sion, to consist of five persons and con-
tinue for two years. Mr. Spencer re-
ferred to the charges made in the Ala
bama Legislature that had procured
his seat in the Senate bv bribery and
corruption, and offered resolution in
structing the Committee ON Elections to
examine such allegations and report to
the Senate upon them, which was adopt
ed Mr., Morton called up his resolu-
tions providing for the appointment Of
n specio. committee to investigate the
late election in Mississippi He said he
had in his possession u great mass of
documents aflidavts, &C., on the SUBJ
ject, some of them from official sources,
Of course the information which
be had no personal knowledge Of. After
discussion by Messra. Bayard. Thur
man and Morton, the resolution, upon
the request of Mr.. Gordon, of Georgia,
was laid over.
FRIDAY, December IL.
In the u. Senate Thursday ,sundry
petitions were presented praying for
the repeal of the stamp tax on bank
checks. Other memorials were pre-
scented, but none of any public inter-
est. The consideration of Morton's
resolution calling for the appoint
ment of a committee of five Senators
to investigate the Mississippi cleo
ton was postponed until Monday, at
the request of Senators who wanted
to participate in the excursion to the
Centennial grounds. Mr.. Edmunds
introduced a resolution fixing Janu-
AIRY Z, p. M, as the time for electing
a President of the Senate. He said
that he had no doubt in his mind
that Mr.. Ferry was President pro
tenn of the Senate, but inasmuch as
the question had been raised, in the
event OF possible contingency, (the
death of the President) might become
serious, he thought it best to have
another election and set the matter
at rest. The resolution was referred
to the Committee on Elections and
Privileges. The Senate adjourned
over till Monday.
In the House of Representative
the call of the State for bills was re-
sumed and concluded. There was
no legislation except the passage of a
bill changing the name of the !" Tom
Jaspar," a Mississippi river steam
boat, to Centennial" Mr.. Page, of
California, introduced resolution
intended as set-off to the anti-third
term resolution adopted a few days
since. The demand for the previous
question was not seconded, and the
only effect Of the resolution was to
provoke shouts of laughter on both
sides of the House. Mr.. Lawrence
offered a resolution directing the
Committee on Rules to report rule
which shall exclude all general legis-
lation from appropriation bills.
The United States Senate was in
session about one hour Monday. A
resolution was adopted declaring Mr.
Ferry to be President of the Senate
until January 7, 1876, the day fixed
for an election by resolution pre-
viously passed. The consideration
of Mr.. Morton's Mississippi resolu-
ton was postponed until after the
holidays. Sundry memorials and pc
titions were presented.
In the House of Representatives
no business was transacted except
the announcement of the Standing
Committees. Both Houses of Con-
gress adjourned to January 5th.