The Portland daily press., 1876-01-14
History of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
Night. Jan. IL.
CONGRESS-,

Sendte-Thursday-Mr Morrill, of Verm ont
called up the bill to further provide for the re-
demption of legal tender q. S. notes in coin,
and addressed the Senate in its support. At the
conclusion of his speech the bill went to the
Finance Committee. Mr.. Sargent of Califor-
mia submitted resolution that the committee
on judiciary be instructed to inquire what legis-
lation, if any, is necessary to secure indemnity
to the United States for advances of interest
paid and to be paid by the government on ac-
count of subsidy bonds issued to the several
Pacific railroad and to secure Indemnity against
liability to pay the principal of such bonds by
requiring the creation of sinking funds or
otherwise. The resolution was agreed to- The
Chair laid before the Senate a message from
the President enclosing the report of the d.
rector of the mint in favor of new mint at
Indianapolis. On motion of Mr.. Bogy the
reference of Mr.. Morrills bill was reconsidered
and Bogy spoke in opposition to the bill, say
ing that he was in favor of specie resumption
but against contraction of the present volume
of the currency.
House-Mr. Randall from the committee Oh
appropriations reported a resolution instruct
ing the committee on military affairs to make
immediate investigation into the pay and allow
ance of all officers of the army. The COM
mittee on the Centennial reported resolution
in favor of approprating 81 100000 to aid the
celebration. Mr.. Rea of Missouri moved the
previous question on a resolution setting forth
that contraction of the currency had been det-
rimenta' to the interests of the country, but
the motion was lost. A resolution condemning
the assessment of government employees for
political purposes was adopted Mr.. Blaine
submitted the following amendment to Mr..
Randalps general amnesty bill:
That all persons now under the disabilities
imposed by the 14th amendment of the consti-
tuition of the United States with the exception
of Jefferson Davis, late President OF the So
called confederate states, shall be relieved of
disabilities upon their appearing before any
judge of the United States Court and taking or
subscribing in open court the following oath to
be fully attested and recorded:
I. B., do solemly swear or affirm that will sup
port and defend the constitution OF the United States
against all enemies foreign domestic; that will
bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that
walton purpose of evasion and that to the best of
my knowledge and ability will faithfully discharge
the duties Of citizen Of the United States.
Senate-Friday-Th Senate was in session
but a short time and no business of public in
terest was transacted.
House-The House held no session.
Saturday-Neither House was in session.
e-Monday-Among the petitions pre-
scented and referred was petition from 26,616
women of Utah asking the repeal of the anti
polygamy law of 1862 and the Poland bill and
that Utah be admitted as state; from the
California Vinecultural Society asking relief;
memorial for the extension of the Alabama
claims court; and several for private relief.
Mr.. Conover reported resolve enjoining the
President to observe strict neutrality in the
war between Cuba and Spain. 1t was laid on
the table. Mr.. Morton from the committee on
elections submitted resolutions declaring that
the term of President of the Senate pro tenlpore
elected at one session does not expire at the
meeting of Congress after the first recess, the
President not having appeared to take the
chair; that the death of the vice President
does not have the effect to vacate the Office of
President pro ten,pore of the Senate; that the
Hon. Thomas w. Ferry the Senator from
Michigan, who was elected President pro tenn
pore of the Senate at the last session is now
President pro tem,pore by virtue of such eleS-
tiou. The first two resolutions were adopted
unanimously, but the third was laid over.
Mr.. Hamilton of Texas introduced bill to Sc
cure the speedy completion of the Texas Pa
cifc railroad.
Hoase-In the House after the introduction
of several unimportant bills Mr.. Randall called
up his general amnesty bill and moved the pre-
vious question thus cutting off Mr.. Blaine from
offering his amendment A running fight en-
sued between Mr.. Blaine and Mr. Randall but
the previous question was seconded. After
more fighting in which Mr.. Blaine accused the
Democrats of attempting 70 force through the
bill under gag and Randall responded by ask
ing the unanimous consent of the House for an
hours debate but refusing to allow amendment
the main question was endorsed by strict
party vote and the vote was taken by yeas and
nays and resulted in its defeat by a vote of 172
yeas and 81 nays, not two-thirds voting in the
affirmative. Mr.. Blaine then moved to recon-