The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-10
Congressional Proceedings.


devoted to the debate on the bill reported
from the Senate appropriation committee
making appropriations for the Legislative,
executive and judicial expenses of the
government for The year ending june 80,
1877. The bill reduces the amount 81
1870, 1913, about one-half Of the reduction
proposed by the House bill. An amend
ment restoring the salaries of Congressman
TO $4,000 per annum, instead of $4,000,
as proposed by the House, was adopted
without division. An amendment restor-
ing the salaries Of clerks of both houses and
other employees to the sums received
under existing law was also passed. At
the hour of adjournment the Senate was
debating an amendment TO restore the
salary Of the President Of the United States
to $4,000 per year.
In the House the Indian appropriation
bill was considered, and considerable pro-
gress made.
SATuRDAY.--In the Senate a bill was
passed for the appointment of commits
sion to treat with the Sioux Indians for the
ccssion of the Black Hills to the United
States. The legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill was further
considered aud number of amendments
were adopted, including one restoring the
salary Of the President to $4,000 per
annum.
The House spent the entire session in
discussing the Indian appropriation bill,
MoNDAY.--In the Senate the confer
ence committee on the consular diplomatic
appropriation was reported us unable to
agree, and another committee was appoint
cd The Legislative, executive and apprO-
priation bill was considered, and large
number Of amendments were adopted
The general tenor of the amendments is
to restore the pay Of department employees
to the present pay.
In the House resolution declaring il
to be inexpedient to legislate affecting the
tariff was referred to the committee on
ways aud means by vote Of yeas / Ii, nays
90. Ex-Speaker Blaine made personal
explanation touching his alleged connection
with the Union Pacific and Little Rock
and Fort Smith railroad bonds, and Sc
verely criticised the Judiciary committee
for the manner in which they had con-
Quoted the investigation. He was sharply
responded to by Messrs Hunton and Knott,
of that committee. Mr. Blaine offered a
resolution, upon which he moved the pre-
yious question, directing the judiciary
committee to produce dispatch received
on Thursday last from Josiah Caldwell, at
London, but the House refused to second
the previous question.
TuEsDAY.-In the Senate the impeach.
ment ease of w. w. Belknap was called
up, the accused being present, with Messrs.
Blair and Black Of his counsel. An order
offered by Mr.. Wbyte was adopted, giving
Belknap leave to answer the article Of
impeachment within ten days, and on de-
fault of an answer within that time the
trial shall proceed as upon a plea Of not
guilty. An order was adopted in secret
session declaring that at one o'clock on the
9th day Of July the Senate, sitting as a
court Of impeachment, will proceed TO hear
evidence on the merits Of the trial in this
case. An order was adopted directing
the managers to furnish defendant within
four days their list of witnesses, and re-
curing the respondent within four days
after receiving the list to furnish to the
managers list of his witnesses so far as
at present known. The Senate then ad-
journed as court of impeachment until
the 10th inst The legislative, executive
aud judicial appropriation bill was further
debated
In the House bill was passed amend
ing the rules so as to give the banking
and currency committee authority to report
at any tic during the present session.
The Indian appropriation bill was debated
at length aud finally passed.
WEDNEsDAY.--In the Senate, con-
current resolution was passed proposing a
common unit of money and accounts for
the United States aud the kingdom of
Great Britain aud Ireland. The legislative,
judicial and executive appropriation bill
was taken up, amended and finally passed,
by vote Of 81 yeas to ! nays. The forti-
fcation appropriation bill was reported
without amendment and passed.
In the House Speaker Kerr asked and
obtained leave Of absence for ten days, and
appointed Mr.. Cox as Speaker pro ten.
during his absence. The House proceeded
to the consideration Of the bill for the
distribution Of the unappropriated moneys
of the Geneva award, Mr.. Lord supporting
the bill and Mr.. Knott opposing it. The
House held an evening session, when de-
bate on the bill was continued.
THunsDAY.-In the Senate after the
morning hour, the bill to amend the laws
relating to the legal-tender of silver coin
was taken up aud debated at length, after
which its further consideration was post
poned until the 10th instant The Senate
refused to take up resolution to pay 2.
BIS. Pinchbach salary and mileage whilst
contesting for seat in the Senate from
Louisiana.
In the House bill intended to prevent
"strav" bids in mail contracts was passed.
Mr. Blaine's resolution to have embodied
in Wednesdays proceedings of the judi
ciary committee the dispatch from Josiah
Caldwell and what took place in the CON-
mi,tee led to personal explanations from
Nesss. Tarbox, Frye and Blaine of any
thing but complimentary character. The
resolution of Mr.. Blaine was objected to,
and the Chair ruled against its considera
tion. The Geneva award bill was further
considered.