Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-15
CONGRESSIONAL.

CONGRESSIONAL.
The credentials of James r. Beck, of
Kentucky, we're presented and read In the Sen
ate on the 3D.. Formal notice was given OF the
action OF the House In the case Of exSecretary
Bclknap, and President pro-tem. Ferry respond
ed that the Senate would take order in the prem
ises. Bills were introduced fixing the rate of
postage lhird-class mail matter TO restore the
ranking privilege. favorable report was made
from the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
lions on the bill 10 provide for and regulate
the counting of votee for President and
Vice-President, and the decision of questions
arising thereon. The bill to make Washington =
birthday Deb. ~ "A legal holiday, was reported
favorably, with an amendment making the 18th
Of February CLincon's birthday a holiday also.
The Pinchback resolution was further considered.
The message OF the House relating to the i'm
parchment of ex- Secretary Belknap was referred
TO special committee Of five, consisting of
Mcssrs. Edmunds, Conkling, Frelinghnysen,
Thurman aud Stevenson. Adjourned TO the 9th
80. In the House large number OF private bills
and bills granting pensions were passed. reso-
luton was adopted, calling for copies of all tel
egrams, orders and correspondence relating to
the Military Court OF Inquiry H. the case Of Gen
Babeoek. The committee appointed to notify
the Senate of the action of the House In the Bel
KNAPP impeachment case made formal report OF
the discharge OF that duty bill was passed
authorizing leave of absence TO army officers on
duty for sixty days once In two years; three
months once in three years, and four months
once In four years, without deduction Of pay or
allowance Adjourned, the session on the 4th TO
be ior debate on the Hawaiian treaty.
Several resolutions of inquiry were
adopted in the Senate on the 9TH Resumption
resolutions of the New York Chamber Of Com
merce presented in the Senate few days pre-
yously. were debated, and Mr.. Bogy spoke in
favor Of his bill authorizing the payment Of du-
Ties on imports In legal-teuder and National
Bank notes Several bills wcre introduced in
the House, among which was one to exempt from
criminal prosecution witnesses testfying before
either house of Congress, or any committee of
the same. message was received from the
Senate announcing that that body would
take the proper order when articles of impchch-
ment were presented against the late Secretary
ofWar. select committee was ordered whose
duty II s to inquire whether any officer or en-
lloye OF the Government had communicated 10
any OF The defendants In the late whisky trials in
ST. Louis, or any of their friends, any evidence on
which the prosecution relied, or was expected to
rely. The Judiciary Committee were instructed
10 Inquire as 10 whether any corrupt or Illegal
means had been used hy any officer or employe of
the Government TO impede or defeat the prusecu-
tlon In the District saie-burglary trial.
In the Senate, on the It'll, the bill for
the protection of agriculture against injurious
insects was amended and passed. A bill was in
trodpced To vest the appointment OF post-traders
IN the Generals commanding the departments
wherein they are situated, instead of the Secrv-
tary ~ War, In the House, bills were intro
duceG-to prevent monopoly AID eNornlant
charges IN trading establishments At military
posts; To protect witnesses in the trial OF
impeachment eases. Mr.. Clymer and other
members of the Committee on Expenditures IN
the War Department announced that they had
been subpu'naed to appear before the supreme
Court of the District Of Columbia 10 furnish
checks and other documents aud testify In regard
10 the charges pending IN that court against the
late Secretary of War. Mr. Clymer said he had
appeared before the court and stated that be felt
IL wonld be prejudichh 10 the highest interests OF
the country II members of The committee should
he compel led to state what had spiTed in their
committee room. After lengthy debate on the
subject, a resolution Was Sdoptcd-l30 60 75-dc-
ClAr'ng the mandate Of the court 20 be q breach
of the privileges of the House, and directing the
members OF the committee 10 disregard such
mandate. \ report was made IRON the Committee
Ou Naval Affairs thar Z. +. Noa formerly book.
keeper of $ z. y Il. =. Brown, OF Washington.
navy contractors ana claim agents, had refused
to answer certain questions when before the com
mlftee. aud q resolution was adopted directing a
warrant 10 be issued for him 20 be brought before
the House for contempt
4 petition was presented in the Senate,
on the sth, signed by over 1900 persons, in op
position 20 secret societies, and asking Congress
90 pass a law making il unlawful 10 appoint any
pereon to office under the Government who Is a
member OF secret organization. 4 final vote
WAS had on the rinchhSck resolution, the amend.
meut that he be not admitted being agreed to--}2
~ - and the resolution a. amended was then
/ adopted nN tNt same NNiN. ne TCtNeANt Wit
ness, VOL was brought before the bar
OF the House, and She chairman OF
the Naval Committee WAS about stating
that the witness had thai morning appeared aud
answered, when the latter fell GA the floor Ia
an epiepuc he, csu-iGe much excitement The
Judiciary Committee made grppr, on the i'm.
peachmcul ~ the late Secretary " War, With a
resolution that The matter bee ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
power 70 take rGrtkcr proof and 20 seud iospvr,
sNUs su6 papers, which resolution WAS adopted
The committee also offered two htls-oue 20 pro.
tCCt witnesses WHO shall De gJqgivrd 60 testify ia
certain cases, ana the second, providing for the
Punishment ut any person who shall wiliia,,y ah-
sent himself nom the country 20 avoid btiu
called upon 10 testify To such cases. After DIS,
CUssiOu the d-s{ bill was pssso8-~SN0 70 Ip-ana
. The second Was rccowmit;gd
In the Senate, on the 9th, Mr. Gordon
called MP resolution submitted by him instruct.
ing she Finance CorAmistev to ascertain. II pes,s-
he, what are the dJscots in the present revenue
system, snd what legislation l. necessary 81
remedy such defects. sut lengthy debate eusEed
.-. In tAc House, bills were passrd-author-
+ iEiug the sender u any tblyt-s,asS mail
matter 20 write ca the ogtsld. of the
wrapper his name Snd sadness, with the mare
sEd number Of the Srttclrs vuc3osc,ls 20 provide
for holding terms OF tho United States District
su4 C.rclit Coaf:s a. Fort Nsypg, lu3. \ reso-