The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-04-21
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

WEDNESDAY, April 12.-Senate. in
troduced bill to prevent panics and give elasticity
to legal-tender currency without impairing it's
value . Hamln's bill regulating the postage on
third-cass matter passed. The bill to provide
for the sale of extra copies Of public documents,
and for the distribution of the regular official edi
tons thereof, was passed.
House.-The House passed the Deficiency bill
without opposition. The Silver coil bill came up,
and the Senate amendments were concurred in
without debate and without division..... Hoar offered
resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee 10
inquire what steps have been taken for properly
representing the interests of the United States in
the suits instituted against the Credit Mobilier and
others, under the provisions Of the act of the
Sd of March, 1873 and, also, whether the Union
Pacific Railroad Company has not forfeited Its
charter, and whether the same should not be re-
pealed because the company has resisted the recov-
cry in its behalf of its capital stock wrongfully
Withdrawn by m of fictitious construction con-
tracts or unlawful dividends. Adopted. An even
ing session was held for the confederation OF the
Legislative Appropriation bill.
THURSDAY, April 13.-Sendte.-The proceed
ipgs in the Senate we're dull and uninteresting.
Bills were passed providing for the imprisonment
and transfer Of United States prisoners; provid-
ing for the separate entry Of packages contained in
one importation, and authorizing the construction
of pontoon bridge across the Mississipp river,
from some point in Lacrosse county, Wis.,, TO some
point in Houston county, MINI. Adjourned till
Monday April II.
Hotise-Several bills of local and uuimportant
character passed. The Senate bill TO confirm
presumption and homestead entries of public lands
within the limits of railroad grants, in where
such entries have been made under regulations of
the Land department, passed. The bill to
transfer the Indian bureau to the Interior depart
ment was discussed without action. Adjourned
To the 18th.
SATURDAY, April 15.-Sendte. in session.
House The case of Hallett Kilbourn, the real
estate pool recussnt Witness formed the subject Of
a lively debate in the House. The Judiciary Com
mittee, to whom the question of the habeas corpus
had been returned, reported unfavorably the ap-
plication directing the Sergeant-at-arms to make a
respectful return to Judge Cartier, of the District
court setting forth the cause Of Kilbourns deten-
ton, but TO retain the custody Of the prisoner.
Hurd. Lawrence and Hoar considered the House
justified in holding the prisoner In defiance of the
court, while Garfield, Lynde, Kelley and Kasson
claimed that the House should obey the
mandate of the court and deliver up the
prisoner. The question not decided. -.
A resolution adopted directing the Committee
on Rules to inquire into the charge that Smith, the
journal clerk of the House, had offered TO prose-
cute additional bounty claims for a commission
The bill TO provide for the administration of oaths
in impeachment trials was passed 80. The Senate
amendments to the Consular and Diplomatic bill
were reported from the Appropriations Committee
and ordered printed.
MONDAY, April 17.-Senate. After the jour
nal of Thursdays proceedings had been read, vari-
GUS petitions and memorials were presented, and
at half-pas IL o'clock the Legislative business
suspended and the Senate proceeded TO the con-
sideration Of the articles of impeachment. After
proclamation by the Sergeant alarms,
Chief Justice Waite administered the oath
TO such of the Senators as were absent on the
day the Senate was organized as court of impeach
ment. Shortly after Belknap, accompanied by his
counsel ex-senator Carpenter, Judge Black and
Montgomery Blair, entered and proceeded 10 the
table provided for them. The return on the writ
served upon the exSecretary having been read,
and the Sergeant-at-Arms having called upon
him 10 answer Mr.. Carpenter read and had filed a
plea denying the jurisdiction Of the Senate TO try Mr.
Belknap on the articles of impeachment, as he was
not officer of the United States at the time such
articles were found and presented to the Senate I;
that he has not since been nor is not now an officer
of the United States but was and Is private citizen
OF the United States and of the State of Iowa. The
court then adjourned until Wednesday.
Hotlse.-The House devoted another day TO the
case Of Kilbourn, the recusant Witness and at the
conclusion of long and animated debate, adopted
a resolution proposed by Lynde, of Wisconsin that
the Sergeant-at-arms make return TO the writ of
habeas corpus, and that he take with him before
the court the body OF Kubourn.
TUESDAY, April 18.--Sendte.--A bill was
passed authorizing the Congressional printer to
furnish copies of the Record, and extracts there
from 10 the members of Congress at cost and other
public documents etc, with ten per cent additional
thereon, and TO collect the money after delivery 80
bill also passed authorizing the requirement. of
Pennsylvania avenue. The House deficiency bill
was called up, amended, and finally passed . A
message received from President Grant vetoing
the bill reducing the salary OF the President of the
United States from $50 900 TO $4,000. He takes
the ground that the salary Of $4,000, fixed when
tn population of the United States was but
S,0O0,O00, is insufficient now that the population
il 40 DOC, 600. When the President salary was
$4,000 per annum the salary of members of Con-
gress was fixed at So per day. averaging about $3.50
per annum Congress has increased IL from time to
time, and now II is $1,000 per annum. The Presi-
dent says that no one who has lived In u ashington
regard $4,000 q sufficient salary for the
Chief Magistrate, and while twill make but little
difference 10 hiI. justice toward his successor de-
mands that he should veto the bill.
Hevse.-In the House to-day the formal argu-
ment in the long list Of contested election cases
was begun. The first reached was that Of Brom-
berg (white Democracy vs.. HARRISON (colored Re-
pubcan). ID was decided i'm favor of the latter
the committee having unanimously ported that
he was entitled 90 the seat. The case of Finlay
W. " ls tcolored) was begun next, but not con-
cluded.