Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-06-10
CONGRESS.

JUNE LIN the tnlteu otdleS
Senate the Chair presented COM
munication from the Secretary of
War giving his views as to the ex-
pediency of transferring the Signal
Service to the Treasury Depart
ment, which was ordered to be prin-
ted. A large number of reports from
committees were presented and re-
ferred. Mr.. Cragin introduced a
bill authorizing the building of pos.
tai and freight railroad from Lewes,
Delaware, to the cities of Washing
ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and
New York, and. it was referred to
the Committee on Railroads. At
one O'Clock the Senate resumed the
consideration of the articles of i'm
parchment against ex-Secretary Bel
KNAPP, and after argument by Mr..
Carpenter for the defence, and by
Mi. Lord on the part of the mama
gers, the trial was postponed until
Tuesday next. After some further
unimportant business the senate adj
journed.
In the House the Army bill was
up and after the rejection of various
amendments, was passed as repor-
ted from the committee. The bill
to amend section SO of the Revised
Statutes relating to merchant sea-
men, SO as to give the appointment
of the Shipping Commissioner to the
Secretary of the Treasury, was then
considered, and after an inffectual
effort to have it recommitted, was
passed. Mr.. Ellis introduced a res
Olutien to authorize the establish
ment of ocean mail steamship SER
vice between the United States and
Brazil, which was referred. After
the transaction of some further I'M
important business the House adj
jourmed.
JUNE4.-Thes session of the United
States Senate was principally devoted
to the debate on the bill reported from
the Senate appropriation committee
making appropriations for the legis-
lative, executive and judicial expen-
ses of the government for the year
ending June 80, 1877.-The bill re-
duces the amount $2,130, 1893, about
one half of the reduction proposed by
the House bill. An amendment re-
storing the salaries of congressman
to So 900 per annum, instead of $4,-
500, as proposed by the House, was
adopted without division. An amend
ment restoring the salaries Of clerks
of both houses and other employees
to the sums received under existing
law was also passed. AT the hour of
adjournment the Senate was debat-
ing an amendment to restore the sal
ary of the President of the United
States to $50 900 per year.
In the House the Indian appropri-
alton bill was considered, and con-
siderable progress made.
JUNE 3.-In the United States
Senate a bill was passed for the
appointment of commission to
treat with the Sioux Indians for
the cession of the Black Hills to
the United States. The legisla-
tive, executive and judicial APP
preparation bill was further con-
sidered and a number of amend
ments were adopted, including
one restoring the salary OF the
President to $4,000 per annum
The House spent the entire session
in discussing the Indian appropri-
alton bill. An amendment for
bidding the issuing of rations to
white men living with Indian
women was rejected.
JUNE 5-The principal business
before the United States Senate
was the concurrent resolution
proposing a common unit of mon
ey and accounts for the United
States and great Britain, which,
after discussion by Messrs. Nor
rill and Sherman, was laid over.
The Legislative, Executive and
Judicial Appropriation bill was
further considered; and an extern
ded debate occurred on the clause
appropriating $4,000 for the rent
of buildings for the use of the
Pension Office and the Bureau OF
Education, and on an amendment
offered by Mr.. Morrill, appropri-
ating $4,000 for the bnildiug now
being erected by Mr.. Shepherd,
at the corner of Twelfth street and
Pennsylvania avenue, during
which it was very plainly intima-
ted by several Senators that the
experience of the Government
with Mr., Shepherd was quite SUI
ffcient, and that no more business
transactions shout be entered into
with him. After some further
discussion an amendment was
adopted appropriating $4,000 for
the rent of the fire-proof building
for the asses of the Pension Office
and the Bureau of Education.
Numerous other amendments OF
minor Importance proposed by
theIcommittee were agreed to. At
ter some unimportant business the
Senate adjourned.
In the House q number Of bills