The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-01-20
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


On the1 bills were introduced in the Senate
for the formation of a State Constitution
in New Mexico and the admission of such State
into the Union; to establish branch mint at St.
Louis. Formal announcement was made OF the
death OF ex- President and Senator Andrew John
son, and several eulogies were delivered after
which the usual resolutions OF respect were
adopted "A bill was introduced in the
House by Mr.. Morrison, preparatory to the re-
demption of United States notes and the re-
sumption of specie payments. The Pension Ap-
preparation bill (S25, ,a33, 500 was reported and
made the special order for the 14th Mr.. Hill, of
Georgia, made lengthy speech in reply to the
remarks of Mr.. Blaine on the Amnesty bill. after
which the Senatc's action in connection with the
death of cxPrcsidcnt johnson was announced
and several euIogies upon the life and services of
the deceased were delivered.
On the 18th bill was introduced in the Senate
to place all colored troops who enlisted in the
army on an equal footing with other soldiers as
to bounties and pensions resolution was in
troduced for the appointment of committee to
examine the books of the Treasury Department.
The resolution declaring the office of President
zro ke,n,,ore of the Senate is held at the pleasure
of the Senate was, after discussion, adopted-34
to 15.. After the Introduction of several bills
quiring National Banks to prepare for specie
payments. and one to refund the cotton tax
consideration of the Amnesty bill was resumed,
and Mr.. Garfield spoke in support of Mr.. Blaine's s
substitute and in reply to Mr.. Hills speech OF
the previous day. d. 81
on the 18th, in the Senate, petitions were pre-
sented signed by over 1000 citizens of Minnesota,
Wisconsin Iowa and Missouri, asking for an
appropriation of 81 600 for the improvement OF
the upper Missouri River. The Judiciary Com
mttce was instructed to inquire and report
whether the act of March /, 1892 making pro-
vision for succession to the Presidency in the
event of vacancy, is not defective, and, If so, In
what particular Mr. Davis spoke on his resolu
ton calling for investigation Of the books OF the
Treasury Department and was answered by Mr..
Boutwell,, who stated that the discrepancies COM
planned Of by Mr.. Davis were apparent, and not
real Adjourned to the 18th Several resolu-
tions of inquiry and Investigate n were adopted
by the House. Mr.. Blaine made his closing
speech on his proposed amendment to the Am
nesty bill, after which Mr.. Banks offered an
amendment providing that any person laboring
under political disabilities might have them re-
moved on suosc ibing to an oath Of loyalty to the
Governments which amendment was ruled out Of
ORDER Mr. Banks advocating il, followed by
Messrs Tarbox and Mo'ey in favor Of universal
amnesty. Mr.. Randall then closed the debate on
the question, when the original bill, with Mr..
Banks amendment-Mr. Baine's not having
been admitted--was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. .---
On the 18th the Senate was not in session. ...I In
the House the Amnesty bill. as amended by Mr..
Banks, was reported back from the Judiciary
Committee, the main question ordered, and the
vote on the passage Of the bin resulted in is re-
jec,ion-yeas 1872, nays g7-there not being the
requisite two-thirds iu the affirmative. Mr.. Blaine
then made motion to reconsider, thus obtaining
the floor, and asked unanimous consent to cfer
his bill for amnesty, with the exception Of Jefer-
son Davis. Objections were made to his oneriDg
the bill, several members claiming that he was
out of order under motion to reconsider, and
Mr. Blaine finally withdrew his metion. After
the confusion incident to the tactics pursued by
Mr. Blaine had subsidized, the Pension Appropria-
ton bill 1923, ,533, 500 was considered In Commit
tee of the Whole, reported back to the House and
passed Adjourned TO the 18th. s#