Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-13
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

On the 5th Congress reassembled. Several petit
tions and memorials were presented in the Sen
ate. Among the bills introduced was one by Mr..
Morrill,, of Vermont, to further provide for the
demption of United States legal-tender notes in
accordance with existing laws; by Mr.. Allison, to
divide the State of Iowa into two judicial dis
tries; by Mr. Conkling, to amend the act en-
titled can act to provide national currency Sc
cured by pledge of United States bonds and to
provide for the circulation and redemption
thereof':-approved June 80, 1864; by Mr.. Harvey.
to provide for investigation of the Rocky
Mountain locusts or so-called grasshoppers.
Mr. Morton's State-rights resolutions and
his resolution to authorize the appoint
ment of a committee to investigate the circum-
stances attending the recent election in Missis-
sippi were laid over the latter until the 10th.
In the House, a. his own request, MIR. Hewitt was
relieved from the Committee on Public Buildings,
and he was placed on the Committee on Foreign
Relations Mr.. Ely exchanging Among the bills
introduced were-to return to the pension rolls
the names of persons stricken therefrom for dis
loyalty to insure the of the InternationaI
Exhibition at Philadelphia, and to maintain the
honor of the nation; to pay soldiers and sailors
who are entitled to bounty lands dollar per acre
for those lands. A resolution was offered in
structing the Committee on Naval Affairs
to inquire to whether any Government funds
appropriated for naval purposes had been
misapplied for political purposes or had
been used to promote the success of the Re
publican party, and, after beng modified so as
to read any political party, was adopted Reso-
lutions were also dopted-declaring that in all
cases of public employment Gall other things be-
ing equaD the soldier shall have preference over
the civilian, and that the House is in favor of Civ
Ing liberal pensions to diseased and crippled sol
diers, their widows and children, and their de-
pendent fathers and mothers; that in the dis
tribution of the patronage of the House of Rep
resentatives, and OF the Government generally,
those elected, and who by law have the appoint
ment of subordinates, should only regard the
Jeffersonian test: " Is he honest? Is he faithful
Is he capable?'' instructing the Committee on
Public Buildings to inquire into charges of mis-
management and fraud in the construction of the
Custom-H House at Chicago.
On the 9Th the Committee on Privileges and
Elections made report in the Senate on the res
olution in regard to the election of President
pro tenn, to the effect that they had agreed
i've to two-that the Senate, had the right to
elect new pro tenn. President if majority of
the Senators so desired. A large number of bills
were introduced and referred. Mr. Morrill, called
up the bill introduced by him the day be-
fore to further provide for the redemption
of lecal-tender notes, and addressed the
Senate the ques ton of specie resumption,
and moved that the bill be referred to the
Committee on Finance, which was finally done
after several Senators had made speeches on the
subject. The report of the Director of the Mint
was presented recommending Indianapolis and
st. Louis as desirable sites for branch mlnts at
the West Several bills and resolutions were
introduced in the House, among the latter beip 6
one declaring against further contraction
of the currency, which was referred to
the Ways and Means Committee. A res
olution was adopted for the appointment of
a select committee to inquire into the inroads,
robberies and murders along the Mexican border
in Texas, IS was also resolution for inquiry
into the expediencY Of opening the Black Hills
country to settlement by purchase from the In
dians Mr. Blaine offered substitute to Mr..
Randall's Amnesty bill, excepting Jefferson Da-
Wis from it's provisions, and prescribing an oath
to be taken by parties desiring the removal of
their political disabilities. resolution was
passed by unanimous Vote declaring that the
representatives of the people in Congress should
do no act which would unnecessarily disturb the
fraternal feeling and goodwill now existing in
all parts OF the country nor wantonly revive the
bitter memories of the past. House adjourned
n tho