The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, February %, the bill re.
ported on Wednesday for.refunding the ma
tional debt was passed. 1t amends the acts
of 1870 and 1871 so that the amount of AZ
per cent. bonds issued be increased to $780,
COO, 600, and that they be payable at pleasure
of the government after thirty years, instead
of after fifteen years. 1t provides that the
act shall not be construed to authorize the
increase of the total amount of the bonded
debt of the United States. A long discussion
followed on the military academy appropri-
alton bill, the House proposition to reduce
the salary of professors at West Point being
opposed strongly. No action was taken on
the bill. I'm the House, the 3.65 District of
Columbia bond bill was discussed and post
poned. The Committee on Foreign Affairs
reported the correspondence furnished that
department by the State Department, re.
garding General Schenck and the Emma
mine, and the Machado claim, showed that
the government recommended in 1871 that
he retire from the directory of the Emma
mine, and he did so. In regard to the
Machado affair, General Schenck seems to
have Ia ken no action. Further action in
the investigation by the committee was or
dered.
In the Senate, February 20, a recon-
mendation of the Chief of the Ordinance
Bureau was offered, urging the revision of
the laws so as to continue the system of
property accountability. The credentials of
Senator Sharon. of Nevada, were presented.
The bill fixing the salary of the President at
$25, 000 was reported favorably. A bill was
introduced authorizing the examination of
evidences of payment by the State of Mis-
souri, to the Union army, and of provisions
furnished, and as yet unpaid for. A
petition of the Cincinnati bar, taking
grounds against the judiciary reorganiza-
ton, was offered. The bill for the admission
of Colorado, and making an appropriation
for the Constitutional Convention, was
passed. The Military Academy appro-
priation bill was then taken up, and all
amendments, except that for the pay OF
the Academy Military Band, concurred in.
......ln the House, q memorial OF 1900 sol.
diers of Indiana, asking an equalization OF
bcunties, VS. introduced. The Attorney
Generals reply regarding his order touching
the testimony in the whisky cases, was read.
II stated that the instructions were issued in
confirmation and approval Of arrangements
already made, but that as those arrangements
relate to matters now in progress, IL would
be ill-advised to make further statements re.
garding the matter. The matter was re-
Foreign Affairs Committee requested the
power to inquire further into the Schenck
affair in regard to the Emma Mine. A bill
to repeal the Specie Resumption Act was
offered and action urged, but objection being
made, il was withdrawn. A bill was intro
duced to aid the construction Of the Wash
ington Monument; also bills to encourage
the use of telegraphs and to open the Black
Hills to settlers.
In the Senate, February 80, a message was
read from the President, urging action in
regard to the estimate for deficiencies in the
Red Cloud agency supplies. The bill for
permitting national banks to organize with
$4,000 capital was adversely reported. The
1877, for the redemption of lands held
by the government for direct taxes
levied was passed. Senator Morton
explained the use OF his name
In the Emma Mine testimony, by saying, that
when his services were asked for, he prom
ised to consider the matter, under the sup
position that his duties would be merely
legal and professional, and that the company
and its objects were entirely legitimate and
honorable, and that on consideration Of the
matter, he decided to have nothing to do
with it. A bill was introduced granting a
charter to the New York and Mazatlan Air
Line railroad. The bill for Military
Academy appropriation was passed as re-
ported by the committee, except that the
item Of S2,496 for sixteen musicians was
continued in the bill, aud the additional
$i4,sS0 for the military band also added.
A resolution was adopted that during the
session 1t shall be in order at any time to
move a recess, and pending an appropriation
bill debate may be limited to five minutes
to each Senator" the House,
message was received from the
President urging action upon the bill to
supply the deficiency. in provisions for the
Red Cloud agency. IL was stated by mem.
bers that there had been gross frauds com.
mitted at that point, and that q thorough in.
vestigation was necessary. A bill was in
troduced authorizing the Secretary Of the
Interior, the Secretary OF Smithsonian
Institute, and the Librarian Of Congress 10
resort to such measures AZ will most effec-