The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-11
CONGRESS-.

| long debate was amended and passed.
| 1t now authorizes the payment by the
commissioners Of the interest on the
| bonds out of any available funds at their
disposal, but providing that no more
bonds be issued. that the amount con-
verted shall not exceed fifteen millions,
that any person increasing that amount
shall be punished by heavy fine and
imprisonment, and that the Board of
Audit be abolished. Ia the House, the
bill creating Affidavit Commissioners
was passed. The Appropriation Com
mittee was authorized to insert an item
of 3, 500 in the appropriation bill, the
amount TO be given to the widow of the
late Congressman Starkweather. The
President returned the bill transferring
certain Indian trust funds from the Sec
retary of the Interior to the Treasury,
with instruction that it be mere definite.
The diplomatic and consular appropri-
alton bill was discussed, but no action
taken.
FEB. An the Senate, the g. 65 Co
lumbia bond bill was reconsidered, but,
after some discussion, again passed with
out amendment 4 bill was offered au-
thorizing the Court of Claims to render
| jurisdiction in favor of owners of cotton
which was seized by Government Off
cials after June 80, 1865, and the pro-
| ceeds from the sale turned over to the
Government. The Pinchback case was
argued by Mr. Morton and others, but
no action was taken. The speech was
| devoted to defense of Mr.. Pinchback's
character, and to the wrong being prac-
ticed in preventing Louisiana from being
represented in the Senate. In the House,
bill fixing the time for holding Circuit
Courts in California, Oregon, and Ne
vada, was passed. A bill was discussed
regarding the removal of the disabilities
| of William Duncan, of Tennessee, who
was stricken from the pension rolls be-
cause it was found that he had been a
Confederate soldier before his enlist
ment in the Union army. 1t was shown
during the debate that he enlisted in the
Confederate army in order to procure
the release of bis brother from a rebel
| prison.
FEB. I'm the Senate, protest was
offered from the New York Board of
Trade against early specie payments.
The bill for the payment of Judgments
rendered by the Court of Alabama
claims was passed. A communication
was received from the Secretary of the
Treasury, inclosing the propositions of
| the Union and Central Pacific Railroads
| regarding the creation of sinking fund
| for the payment of the amounts due the
| Government from them. The bill ma
king restrictions in regard to the dis
posal OF Southern lands was discussed,
and the amendments already offered de-
feated. No FACTION was taken on the bill.
The consideration of the Louisiana Sen
atorship was resumed, and speeches
were made by Democrats opposing Mr..
Pinchback's admission. No action was
taken in the matter. In the House, a
bill was introduced making the birthday
OF Abraham Lincoln a national holiday
4 bill was introduced to repeal the re-
sumption act The g. G5 Columbia bond
bill was referred. A bill was introduced
to give the right of action for injuries
resulting from the sale of liquor. Inves-
LEGATIONS were ordered in the manage
ment of Government hospitals, the Dis
trict of Columbia Board of Health, the
Reform School. and the Freedmen's
Hospital. The connection of Minister
Shenck with the Emma Mine and Mac
hodo claim scandals We're ordered inves-
tigated. An investigation into the print
ing of Government bonds was also
ordered. The consular and diplomatic
appropriation bill was also discussed,
but no action taken.
FEB. SIN the Senate, a bill was in
troduced, and referred, for the payment
of fourteen disabled soldiers. Bills for
the benefit Of John A. florence and of
the Louisville Baptist Orphans Home
were passed. The Centennial bill came
up, and was laid over. The Committee
on the District of Columbia were in
structed TO prepare and submit form
of government for the District OF Co
lumbia In the House, a bill was passed
authorizing action in case of death re-
sultiDg from wrongful acts, neglect, or
default, in the District of Columbia;
provided the amount recovered be not
more than so. 600. bill was passed
repeating the bankrupt act Of March 2,
1867, and all laws supplementary and
amendatOry thereto, but allowing all
cases now pending to be proceeded with
under it. An error was discovered in
the bill in regard to dates. but was not
corrected Tie Diplomatic and Consul
lar appropriation bill was discussed, but
no action taken Among those opposing
the bill were Fernando Wood Dem J, of
New York. Resolutions of respect to
the memory of the late Senator Ferry
were passed and addresses made. An
address upon the subject, written by
Congressman Starkweather, since de-
ceased, was read.