The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-29
CONGRESS-.

2 s77 - CONGRESS-. - It ."S&. %&@
A large number Of petitions were ERE
sented the Senate, on the 2lst. asking for the
passage of alaw prohibiting The sale Of intoxi-
eating liquors in the District OF Columbia and
the territories, also for law to prohibit the
use Of intoxicating liquors among the officers
ofthe civil, military and naval services. At
ter another long discussion on the bill for
counting ELECTORAL votes, without arriving at
a vote, the Senate adjourned.
The House committee on railroads re-.
ported bill for railroad from the Atlantic
coast TO st. Louis and Chicago, to be known as
the Washington, Cincinnati & st. Louis rail-
way. The judiciary committee reported bill
making it a misdemeanor for any person in
the employment OF the United States to solicit
or contribute funds for election purposes. or
to canvass in any election. An amendment was
offered providing that the bill should not be
construed as preventing voluntary contribu-
tons for circulating printed documents. Mr..
Blaine moved to make the bill Include gen.
ators and members Of Congress he had known
such to contribute as high as $780, Oo, and
thought if the bill was simply aimed at the de-
partment clerks who pay IS or $40, and let
the congressman of, it did not strike at the
evil At ALL Mr.. Cauiteld suggested that
Blaine offer that amendment, and gave his
permission, but withdrew the same on Mr..
Blaine's Offering the amendment Mr. Blaine
said he would make it a test question, and he
was permitted to offer the amendment by
vote OF 2O6 to 4. The amendment disqualified
from holding his seat any member OF Congress
or senator who should contribute money or
other valuable things for election purposes.
Other amendments were offered which are to
be considered when the bill again comes up
On the 22d, the Senate spent the day
in consideration of the bill providing for the
counting of electoral votes without coming
to final vote upon the question
The House committee on invalid pen
sions reported a bill making all pensions on
account of death from wounds or diseases con-
tracted in the service since March, 1871,
The Senate amendments to the bill to supply
a deficiency in certain Indian appropriations
were non-concarred in. Tie House then took
up the till forbidding government officers to
pay money for election purposes, and MIR.
Blaine made extended remarks in support of
his amendment that the law include members
Of Congress. The amendment was rejected bv
vote of l02 to l07, and substitute bill was
adopted by vote by vote 6t 173 to g. The
bill provides that no officer or employee of the
government shall require or request, give or
receive from any other officer or employee or
any other person, directly or indirectly, any
money or property or other thing Of value tor
political purposes, and that offenders shall at
once be dismissed from the service Of the qov-
eminent. and providing a fine Of from $500 to
one year.
Little business was transacted in the
Senate on the 2cd. Morton's electoral college
bill was again on the boards, and all proposed
amendments disposed OF, but before vote on
the main question was reached the Senate went
into executive session and soon after adjourn
ed.
The House passed the bill prohibiting
the cutting of timber on lands held by the In
dams as a reservation. The bill offered by
Williams, OF Michigan, to repeal the law tor
bidding the appointment to- any position in the
army of any person who served the confeder-
ate army in any post on, was passed. A bill.
was offered by the committee on Military al
fairs, for reducing the pay Of army officers,
affecting general officers only.
The Senate, on the 24th, passed the
post route bill, during the debate on which
arguments were presented III favor of return
to the Thanking system. The electoral college
bill was again brought up and passed by vote
Of 80 to 26--four Democrats voting yes aud
three Republicans voting no. Mr. Thurman
moved reconsideration to allow of some
proposition being made on which the Demo-
Gratis could agree. He, though Democrat,
could see nothing Objectionable in the bill.
The motion was entered.
The House, in discussion of the execu.
tive and judicial appropriation bill first took
up the pay o! Senators. Mr.. Foster moved
to reduce the same to s2,70o. Mr.. Randall
wanted to know why the gentleman did not
make the proposition in committee. Mr.. Fos-
ter said he lad offered the amendment in good
faith, and he objected to Randall's charge of
duplicity. Mr. Hoar hoped the House would
not present the pitiful spectacle that was seen
in the last Congress OF wranglipg about its own
pay. He thou1ht the present pay was about
right. Mr.. Cresswell characterized the bill as
a compilation OF Inconsistency and insncerity.
No vote was reached.
The origin Of the Alarming Malady
That is Frightening WASH ing ton.
Washington Telegram, i9th.]