The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-04-12
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.


SENATH-An invitation to attend the dedi-
cation Of the Lincoln monument was ac-
cepted, and exhibition was made by the i'm
peachment 10 anagers OF the charges against
Belknap. Senators Boutwell,, Cameron of
Wisconsin, Oglesby, Bayard and Mcdonald
were appointed as the Mississippi committee,
under MortonIs resolution. A message was
eceived from the president vetoing certain
private bill relating to firm of Kentucky dis
tillers. In executive session the nomination
OF Dana was rejected.
EoUsE-A statute of limitations OF three
years for all offer ses, except against the in
nal revenue, was discussed and passed, end sew
eral investigations ere ordered. japanese in
dem nifty and Texas fontier bills were reported
and temporarily disposed of. The impeach-
ment managers, having returned from the
Senate chamber, reported that that body
would TAX order on the articles. A bill to
regulate the employment OF special coun-
sci for the government, authorizing 1t only on
the certificate of judge, that it is necessary,
and requiring the judge, also, to fix the fees.
At the evening session there was a long de-
bate on the legislative appropriate bill and
the comparative expenditures of the two par
ties when in power, between Messrs. Holman
and Garfield. An amendment proposing 10
strike cut that clause OF the bill which fixes
the presidents salary at $4,000, was rejected.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5.
SENATE "A bill authorizing the payment of
the Alabama claims was explained and
passed. Some minor bills were passed, and
Chief Justice Waite appeared and administered
the oath as a court OF impeachment to the
senators. A summons was issued and made
returna BILE on April IL, TO which date the
court adjourned after some opposition from a
portion of the Democratic senators. The
postal bill was taken up, and Senator Hamlin
made a long speech in defense or his own
course in relation TO third-class mail matte
and in abuse of the newspapers, for which he
said he did not care fig.
HoUsE.-A bill to facilitate the closing up
of insolvent banks was passed and Mr.. Hun
ter's usury bill was reported upon adversely.
The bill TO transfer the Indian bureau TO the
war department was discussed, Mr.. Cox max
ing brilliant speech in opposition to it
At the evening session the legislative appro-
priation bill was debated, and unsuccessful
efforts were made by Mr.. Cannon to restore
the ranking privilege, snd by MIR. Kasson to
prevent the reduction of the clerical force in
the department of state.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6.
SENATE-A House bill TO correct an error in
the revised statutes with amendments was
passed. Various bills were referred or placed
on the calendar, among them them the House
silver bill with important amend
ments reviving the old silver dollar.
The bill fixing the rate of third-class mail
matter was taken up and discussed. Amend
ments allowing four pound packages at
the rate of one cent. and providing for a
fourth class OF mail matter, the rates on
which were to be governed by the distance,
were offered and ordered printed,
HoUsE-A proposition was offered to buy
! the Congressional Globe, and the Senate bill
fixing the presidents salary at $4,000 was
passed without discussion. A PROPOSE
ton to refer Mr.. Hunters usury bill
to the committee of the whole was re-
| tected, and it was tabled. An appropriation
was made for light on the Chicago crib.
The Hawaiian treaty and the legislative ap-
preparation bills were discussed and the latter
was again taken up at the evening session,
when the appropriation committee was put
upon its defense by the Republicans and q
proposed amendment to provide the comp
troller of the currency with stenographer
was defeated.
FRIDAY APRIL.
HoUsE.-The bill to allow Gen. WeitZel to be
a trustee OF the Cincinnati Southern road was
defeated. Investigations were set on foot in
the Philadelphia and League Island navy
yards, and a bill for the payment of 200 war
claims, aggregating $4,000, was passed.
SATURDAY, APRIL s.
HoUsE-There were but few present, either
| on the floor or in the galleries. Mr.. Law
renee discussed his land patent bill and it was
passed.
| MONDAY, APRIL 10.
| SENATE-A large number of bills were pre-
sented and referred, among them provisions
| for the Mississippi investigating committee
and for the territory OF Pembina. The silver
bill came up as amended by the committee
| and was discussed. Owing to the urgent
| demand for small change throughout the
| country IL was decided to withdraw for the
| present The third and -,ourth sections, pro-
| vidir for the revival of the old silver dollars
| and other steps. The first two sections, ap-
| propriating money for the engraving depart
ment of the treasury, and providing for the
| issue of silver coins up to 50 cents, were
anne ded aud passed. Ano her district in
| vestIgation was ordered.
HoUsE-The rules were suspended and thf
river and harbor appropriation bill was
passed. 1t expends SIS 2.S50 Resolutions
were offered for the purpose of extracting in.
formation relative to the treaty with Venezu.
! ella. the right of officers of the army to
petition Congress, and the imprisonment Of
the Fenian Condor. The rest of the session
| was occupied by Mr.. Banks with a speech in
advocacy of the Hawaiian treaty bill.
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