The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-05-26
CURRENT NEWS.
CONGRESS-.

In the senate, on the 18th, there were
but few members present and no work was ae-
comphshed. Adjourned till Monday. In the
House. Mr. Cox was elected Speaker pro TEN.
dufinx the absence OF MIR. Kerr. The Post
ofhce Appropriation bill MAS considered al
length in Committee Of the Whole. Mr.. Vance,
Chairman Of the ommittee on Printing, made y
partial report on the subject Of the Government
Printing Office. The report declares that
system Of unparalleled extravaganza prevails IN
every department OF that establ shment, and
that the work done there costs the Govern ment
at least 50 per cent. more than Il would n done
hv private parties under the contract sy stem.
The committee recommends the discontinuance
OF the Office and that steps be taken 10 secure
the Indictment OF the present Public Printer for
the corrupt use Of his position. The Speakers
leave Of absence was extended for ten days
The Senate was not in session on the 18th.
$500. In the House, Mr. White Cky.l, as ques-
ton Of privilege. sent to the Clerks desk n pa
per containing a fun history OF the charges
against fitzhugh, Doorkeeper of the House,
showing him 20 have been indicted and tried In
Kentucky for arson. conspiracy. larceny and
perjury. lie also read letter from fitzhugh
20 a friend in Texas, giving ludicrous
account Of his experience az Doorkceper. Aiter
considerable discussion as TO the proper action
% be taken. a resolution was offered, declaring
that Mr.. fitzhugh IL not proper person To- hold
the honorable and responsible Office of Doorkeep-
er OF the House, etc which resolution was re-
ferred to the Ommittee ON Rules. The Post
office Appropriation bill was taken up in Com.
mittee Of the Whole, but owing to the absence Of
a quorum no progress was made.
In the Senate, on the 18th, the bill
amendatory to the act to encourage the growth
OF timber on Western prairies was passed; also,
the bill TO extend the time of pre-emptors Of pub
lie lands In the House. among the bills in
PRODUCED were the following BY Mr.. Durand
tat the request Of Mr.. Goodin)-To ests blish
a new boundary line between the states
OF Missouri and Kansas south of the Missouri
49, afrar
and freight railroad from the southeast Allan
tic seaboard 10 Lake Michigan. Mr.. Payne's
bill 20 authorize the issue Of silver coin "a the
amount of 10, ,Na IN exchange Tor legal
tenders which are only "a be reissued after
destruction Of an equal amount of fractional
currency. was called up and passed-yeas
l35. nays. - Mr.. Morrison moved u sus-
pend the rules. and pass the senate bill 10 allow
Mrs. Minnie sherman Fitch % receive free oi
duties wedding present from the khedive ~
ksgpt Agreed to. \ resolution calling for re-
ports and correspondence a. 20 the Whisky Ring
prosecutions was passed-yeas. IA. nays. 1l-
a strict party vote Mr.. Hoar novel t. sus-
pend the rules and adopt resolution declaring
that the House has entire confidence IN The Wis
dom. integrity and efficiency with which the sec.
rotary Of the Treasury has prosecuted and
y prosecuting that class 81 offenders against the
Internal Revenue laws known as the Whisky
Ring. and does not desire him to make pnblc
any Information in relation thereto which. in his
judgment, might impair the efficiency ~ such
prosecution. Mr.. Randall said THAT resolu-
lion Just reverses what the House has already
done. move 10 lay it on the table," Pending
action on that notion, the House proceeded %
business Of the District OF columbia, and soon
after adjourned.
In the Senate, on the 10th, consideration
Of the articles Of impeachment was resumed
with closed doors. the result OF the deliberations
not being made puOlic......In the House, the
Committee on Printing, hy Mr Vance, Chair
man, made a report upon the Government
Printing -Ofiice. The cost 81 lie Government
printing for the last u years amounted TO over
3 % 0,0O0 year. the aggregate beng ; ", =
aNl so. This, In the opinion of the chairman
Of the committee, was az least $50, oo0 a year
more than II ought q ave cost. The Congress
soRal Printer charged with objectionable
negligence in the management OF his Office. and
enlightenment Of the public funds. Mr.. BaliOu
made minority report, taking the ground that
the Congressional Printer Was an officer OF the
senate and therefore not amenable 70 the luris-
diction 81 the House. In his opinion the tc-ti-
mOny failed 70 show any dereliction Of duty On
the part OF that officer. Mr.. singleton, mem
Der ~ the committee. supported the majority re-
port, and preferred formal charges against Mr..
Clapp. the Congress iOnal Printer. The majority
report Of the committee was adopted by party
vote, and a resolution was passed, without III.
vision, instructing the Judiciary ommittee q
inquire whether the Congressional Printer Is On
officer who May he iinpeached.