Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-16
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

In the Senate on the 9th, large NUMBER
of private bills were reported adversely dur
ing the morning hour. Mr.. Sherman spoke
at length on the financial question. The
Postmaster General was then called up to give
information in regard to straw bids for carry
ing the mails. 1t seems that there are sever
al hundred bids of this class from the differ
ent States, and the Postmaster General is in
doubt as to his duty in the premises under
existing laws. He therefore suggests speedy
legislation by Congress. In the House the
following bills we're introduced: To provide
for the manner of taking proof before the
Southern Claims Commission. To amend
the Pacific railroad bills. To exempt from
criminal prosecution witness before either
House of Congress or any committee of the
same. For a continuous line of railway from
Norfolk, through Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, Arkansas and the Indian Territory
to the Pacific ocean, and to incorporate the
Atlantic, Okohoma and Pacific Railroad.
In the Senate on the 9Th, the bill appoint
ing commissioner to investigate the destruc-
ton of crops by insects passed. The remain
der of the session was devoted to the discus
sion of Pinchback's claims to seat. In the
House lengthy and acrimonious debate en-
sued on question of privilege originated by
Mr.. Clymer as to whether the members of an
investigating committee can be made to sp-
pear before grand jury and disclose the evil
dence in their possession. During the discus
sion Mr.. Lamar, of Mississippi, offered reso-
luton reciting the history of the Belknap
case, declaring the mandate Of the court to be
a breach of the privileges of the House. and
directing the members of the committee to
disregard such mandate. The resolution was
agreed to-yeas, 1870; nays, Is.
In the Senate on the 7th, a resolution was
offered to adjourn both Houses to the LIST of
May. Referred to the committee on appro-
priations. The Pinchback case was then re-
sumed and his claim to seat in the Senate
was rejected by vote of 80 to 20. In the
House the bill to protect from prosecution
witnesses testiGing before either House of
Congress or any committee thereof, or before
the Senate sitting as Court of Impeachment,
when such witnesses testify under protest, was
called up and passed.
In the Senate on the 9th, Mr. Gordon's res
olution to amend the revenue law gave rise to
a lengthy and spirited colloquy between that
Senator and Senator Morton. The debate
was also participated in by Sherman, of Ohio,
and Withers, of Virginia. In the House the
committee on Indian affairs was Instructed to
consider the expediency Of opening the Indian
Territory to settlement. A bill authorizing
the sender of any third-class mail matter to
write on the outside of the wrapper his ad-
dress and name, and the number of articles
contained, passed.
In the Senate on the 9th, the only business of
Importance was the passage Of the bill author
izing New Mexico to form State constitu-
ton, which, after lengthy debate, was passed
by vote of 35 to Is, when the Senate ad-
iourned until Monday. In the House the bill
extending patents on sewing machines was
tabled. A somewhat bitter debate occurred
relative to the departure Of Marsh for Canada,
in which members of the investigating COM
mittee attempted to refute charges of blame
therefor, which were made by members of the
House.
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.
Strawberries and green peas have appear