Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-25


Der. The House organized by the election
of NJ. c. Kerr, of Indiana, as Speaker
The first day of the House was marked by
an attempt on The part Of certain Demo-
Gratis TO overthrow the Wheeler compro-
mise in Louisiana. Mr.. Wood, of New
York, leading, offered resolution against
the admission of Frank Morey, who held
tho regular certificate of election, There
was a sharp debate, and Mr.. Morey was
ultimately sworn in.
Dec. 1.-THE Presidents message was de-
llvered to both houses OF Congress.
Dec. S.-The standing committees OF the
Senate were elected.
Dec. 14.-Mr. Mcmillan, claiming seat
in the Senate from Louisiana, was given
leave TO withdraw his credentials. On the
same day Mr.. Blaine presented in the
House his resolution for an amendment to
the Constitution relative 10 religious inter-
ference with common schools. Mr.. Fort,
of Illinois, offered a resolution that in
making Federal appointments wounded
soldiers should have the preference. The
Democrats avoided this troublesome ques-
ton by referring it TO the Committee on
Accounts by vote of 16S TO l02.
Dec. l5.-Mr. Randall moved bill for
the removal of political disabilities impos-
ed by the Constitution for participation in
the rebellion. In the Senate Mr.. Morton
introduced resolution for the investiga-
ton of the last election in Mississippi.
Dec. l6.-Mr. Spencer called for an in
vestigation of his election as Senator. Mr..
Morton made long speech on Mississippi
affairs.
Dec. 2O-The committees of the House
were announced by Speaker Kerr, and
Congress adjourned for the holiday recess.
Jan. 5.-Mr. Fort offered resolution TO
the effect that the officers of the House, in
their appointments, should give preference
to all qualified Union soldiers over soldiers
of the Confederacy. On motion of Mr.. Fer
nando Wood, it was referred to the Centen-
NAL Committee-yeas 10, nays 90.
Jan. n.-Eulogies were delivered in both
houses on ex-President Andrew johnson.
Jan. 14.-Mr Morrison's resolution for
investigations by all the committees of the
House, and into all matters connected
with public affairs, was adopted.
Jan. 17.-Mr. Holman introduced reso-
luton instructing the Banking and Cur
rency Committee to report bill for the
repeal of the Resumption act. The resolu-
ton was defeated-yeas 1l2 nays 1853.
Jan. 1s.-Mr. T. B. Eustis presented Gre
dentials, claiming to be a Senator elect
from the State of Louisiana.
Jan. Ex-senator Morton made his sec
ond speech upon Mississippi affairs.
Ton -EnlnoiaS Tho laia Vim
President Wilson were delivered in both
Houses.
Jan. 25.-The House passed the Centen-
NAL Appropriation bill, granting $1,5OO,OOO
in aid of the Exhibition. The Senate pass
ed the bill authorizing commission for
investigation Of the liquor traffic. No ac-
ton was taken on this by the House.
Jan. 26.-The House began the consider
alton in committee of the whole of the APP
preparation bill for the West Point Mill
tary Academy.
Feb. 1.-The House considered a resolu-
ton limiting Presidential Office TO one
term. 1t was discussed ON this and the fol-
towing day when the vote was taken, and
the resolution failed of the necessary two
thirds vote, the yeas being las and the
nays 10s.
Feb. 3.-The Senate agreed to the House
resolution with important amendments for
payment of interest on the 1865 bonds oil
the District of Columbia, after having de-
bated 1t for several days. The House be-
gan the consideration of the Consular and
Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
Feb. THE Senate passed the bill fol
the payment of the Alabama claims al.
ready settled and allowed.
Feb. 8.-Eulogies were delivered on Seu-
ator Ferry of Connecticut.
Feb. 1.-THE Senate, in concurrence
with the House, passed the Centennial APP
preparation bill.
Feb. 14.-The Senate passed bill con
corning the transportation of animals or
railroads, amending the section of the Re
vised Statutes on the same subject. In the
House, Mr.. Hale offered resolution ex
pressing the judgment of the House tina
prompt legislation should be had to render
effective the policy of resumption. Tht
esolution was defeated ON a yea and nay
vote, the yeas being IS and the nays 139.
Feb. 15.-The Senate passed bill re
moving certain restrictions on the disposi-
ton of public lands In the Southern States
The bill had been several days under dis
cussion.
Feb. 2l.-After an extended controversy
between the two Houses, the difference
concerning the bill for the payment OF in
tereSt on the District bonds we're ADJUSTED
by the presentation of Conference Com
mittee report.
Feb. 23.-The House passed a bill to pre-
vent the useless slaughter of buffaloes IL
the Western Territories.
Feb. A.-Eulogies were pronounced II
both Houses on Mr.. Starkw Gather, Rep
resentative from Connecticut.
Feb. 25.-The Senate passed a bill u
amend the act for refunding bonds of tn
United States so as to enable the Secretar!
of the Treasury to refund the six per cent
bonds outstanding. This bill was neve
acted upon by the House, which body as
sumed that the Senate had no right to orig
mate IL.
Feb. 2S.-The Senate passed the Colorado
enabling act, so-called, permitting the PEG
pie of that State TO form a Constitution anC
State Government, and for the admission
of the State into the Union.
Feb. 29.-The House, after debate lastin
two or three days, recommitted to the Com
mlttee on Revolutionary Pensions bill
for restoring pensioners of the war of 1915
who had engaged in the war of the rebel
lion, to the pension rolls. The bill wa
never heard of again during the session.
March 2.-The House began the consid
GRAFTON of the bill to carry into effect tn