Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-06
EVENING STAR.
fORTY-FOURTII CONGRESS-.
Closing Proceedings Yesferday.

HOUSE.-After our report closet
, numerous olils and resolutions were intro
By Mr.. Brien (Md)-A bin TO incorpo-
washington, ID. &. District OF Columoia
MI, Obrlen also presented the memorial
Public Works in the District OF Columhis.
ana asked mat IL be printed, without the
SIGNATURES; In the Record SO ordered.
BY Mr.. Walsh md. BILLS for the relief Of
certain postmasters In MarylaDd POST OF
nces and Post Roads.
INFORMATION WANTED.
BY Mr.. Goode (NaD-Resolution request
ing the Secretary OF the Navy, n not incoun-
patible with the public interest, 20 Inform
The House whether the eight vessels OF war
authorized by the act OF February 10, iSs3,
have been constructed, and, IL so, the cost OF
each vessel and the aggregate cost Of those
built; adopted. Also, resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Naval Affairs 10 in
quire whether any material belonging u the
United States has been frauduleatly or
wrongfully removed from the yards
and whether there has been any unlawful
combinations for the purchase OF the same;
also, whether any OF the public money APP
propriated by the act OF February 10, 1873
has been misapplied To promote the success
OF the republican party, or whether Nc has
been used for the employment OF persons
possessing no mechanical skill. under the
expected or implied condition that they
would support the nominees OF the republI-
can party.
Mr.. Kasson suggested that il be made 10
read "either party He said that 10 might
be found there were former abuses under the
democratic administration.
Mr.. GOOde.-That was before the deIuge. /
prefer 10 have the resolution stand as 10 is.
After some little discussion the resolution
was amended, at the suggestion OF Mr.. HOl-
man, 10 read 'any" in place OF republican"
and adopted without dissent
Mr.. Douglass (Na.) offered q resolution di-
rectlng the Committee on Comm cree To in
quiTe into the expediency OF a survey OF
Quantico creek, Va, with a view 10 It's i'm
Provement. Adopted. Also, a resolution
providing for an Investigation into the az
fairs Of the Freedmans Savings and Trust
company, with power To send for persons and
papers, administer oaths and sit during the
recess OF Congress.
EDUCATION.
By Mr.. Monroe (Ohio)-A resolution de-
claring the general education OF the people
indispensable TO the prosperity and even tue
continued existence of the republic, that the
last census declares the lamentable fact that
one-nfth cannot read and write, AID direct
ing the Committee on Education and Labor
TO inquire into the right and eXpediency OF
moderate appropriation from the Treasury
for the education of the people in the ratio OF
illiteracy, and also for the support OF schools
by the local Inhabitants. Referred 10 the
Committee on Education and Labor, and or
dered TO be printed In the Record
Mr.. Bright (Tenn) announced that Tles-
day next, at O'Clock p. m, he would an
nouDce the death OF ex-President and late
Senator Andrew Johnson.
UNION SOLDIERS TO HAVE THE PREFER
Mr.. Cason (Ind.) introduced a resolution
reciting that the government OF the United
States had been preserved during the late
war by the bravery and patriotic devotion
OF the Union soldiers, and declaring that the
House recognizes the great and gallant ser
vices rendered by loyal soldiers, and recon-
mend TO the people of the country greater
care of the rights of these men and their
families, and that in all cases OF public en-
ployment and the emoluments of office,
other things being equal, these soldiers
a aV-aF ri lar
and the House favors laws giving liberal
pensions TO diseased and crippled soldiers,
and 10 the widows and orphans and depend
ent relatives OF those who lost their lives
such bounties as a generous government
could afford.
The demand for the previous question on
THIS resolution was seconded-lI2 10 . and
IL was agreed TO.
GENERAL INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Morrison ND offered a resolution al
rectIng the several committees OF the House
on the Judiciary, Military Affairs, Naval
Affairs, Post Offices and Post Roads, Public
Buildings and Grounds, Claims and War
Claims TO institute inquiries, so far as can
be done, into any errors, abuses or frauds in
the execution of the laws touching the adj
mInistration OF the government in their sew
eral branches. Also, that the Committees on
the Expenditures OF the several departments
OF the government and public buildings
proceed at once TO examine the statements
OF accounts and expenses I'm the several de-
partmenis, and whether the expenses are
departments are supported by sufficient
vouchers; whether the appropriations are
disbursed conformably TO existing laws, and
II any further legislation is necessary, what
retrenchment can be made without detri-
ment TO the public service. Also, to inquire
into the pay and emoluments OF officers OF
the United States, and whether any change
is deemed advisable. Adopted.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
Mr.. Fort (Ill) offered a resolution declar-
ing that the doctrine just euunciated by the
House I'm the resolution offered by Mr.. Ca
son, was so wise and so just that IL should be
followed by the officers OF the House in fill
ing the subordinate offices, and that in illing
these places preference should be given 20
Union soldiers over soldiers Of the late con-
federate army.
His demand for the previous question was
not seconded, the vote standing 70 10 100.
Mr.. Wood IN. " said as this was the CEN
tennial year, when all should forget past
differences, he would move the reference OF
the resolutions TO the Centennial Com mittee,
aud 1t was so referred by party vote-yeas
l21, nays 81.
The call resting upon Illinois, a member
from that state offered a resolution drawn
up by Mr.. Cox, which was that In the distri-
button of patronage under the House and by
the government, those duly elected should
regard the old Jeffersonian test-Is he hon.
est? Is he capable? Is he faithful? aud that
peculiar emphasis should be given 10 this
democratic doctrine. ILaughter.l Adopted.