Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-06-03
CONGRESS.

MAY 25.-In the United States
Senate, the bill fixing the salary
of the President of the United
States at $4,000 was reported
from the committee on civil SER
vice and retrenchment, with the
recommendation that it pass, des-
pite the Presidents vote. The
Senate further considered the
question of jurisdiction in the
case of w. w. Belknap, but failed
to reach a decision. In the House,
Mr.. Morrison made speech in
explanation of his tariff bill. A
report was presented from the
committee on foreign affairs on
the Emma Mine investigation,
acquitting Gen. Schetnck of any
fraud in the transac ion, censur-
ing him for permitting himself to
be made an instrument of design
ing men to mature and give
character to private enterprise.
MAY 26.-In the United States
Senate the Chair presented COM
munication from the commander of
the Potomac Post of the Grand Ar
my of the Republic asking that May
30th Decoration Day be observed
as a national holiday, and inviting
the Senate to participate in the GER
emony of decorating the soldiers
graves. The Senate, at Ills, re-
sumed the consideration of the ques-
tion of jurisdiction in the Belknap
imp .achment, but without arriving
at any decision, at $50 adjourned UNI
til to-day.
In the House of Represen tatives
Mr.. Dunnell introduced a bill for the
relief of certain settlers on the pub
lie lands, which was passed. Mr..
Bowen presented the House bill for
the relief of G.. B. Tayler and E. III.
Luckett, and it was passed over the
Presidents veto. Mr. Teese offered
a resolution appointing J. III. Patter-
sin, of New Jersey, Doorkeeper,
which was passed, and Mr.. Patter-
son was sworn into Office. The
Speaker presented message from
the President vetoing the bill provi-
ding for the recording of deeds,
mortgages and other conveyances in
the District of Columbia. The bill
making appropriations for the pay
ment of claims reported allowed by
the Commissioners of Claims was
taken up and passed. After some
time spent in committee OF the whole
on the private calender, the House
proceeded to the consideration of the
bill for retirement of Judge Nc
Candless, and it was passed after
which the House adjourned.
MAY 27.-In the Senate Mr..
Herman presented a petition of cit
liens of the District demonstrating
against the passage of thebillallow-
ing the Suburban Railroad Com
pany to use steam for running
their cars on certain streets of the
city The consideration fthe i'm
parchment question was resumed
with closed doors When the
doors were reopened the President
pro tenn. announced Mr.. Patterson
of South Carolina, as a member of
the Board of Visitors to West
Point, after which the Senate adj
journed.
In the House Mr.. Lord, from
the Judiciary Committee, reported
the bill in reference to fees of the
clerk af the United States Courts
in California also q bill provid-
ing for the payment of judgments
of the Court of Commissioners oil
Alabama Claims. Mr.. Singleton
reported the bill of conference oil
the two houses on the Consular
and:Diplomatic Appropriation and
were unable to agree. This same
gentleman, from the Committee on
Printing, reported bill to reduce
expenditures for public printing
in the District of Columbia. The
House then proceeded to the con-
slderation of the bill to promote
the efficiency of the Army of the
United States, to provide for tt
gradual reduction, and to consoli-
date certain of its staff depart.
ments. The bill was discussed by
Mr.. Banning in favor of the pre-
posed reductions, and by Mr.. Hur.
burt in opposition thereto. 1t ap.
pearing, on a preliminary vote,
that there was not quorum, con.
siderable filibustering ensued, aud
the House finally adjourned al
3:45 without coming to any con.
clusion.
MAY 29-The United States
Senate met at 10 o'clock and i'm.
mediately went into secret session
on the question of jurisdiction in
the Belknap impeachment case,
and remained with closed doors
until half-past 8 o'clock last night
The question was decided in the
affirmative, and the Senate ad.
journed until Wednesday,
In the House a number of bills
were introduced and referred. Mr.
Adams, of New York, offer ed q
81. -. n