Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-08-31
Forty Fourth COngrexs---Rc-
sumo or work Performed.

New fcrk Times
The record OF the work of the first
session OF the Forty-fourth Congress.
IL rather long. 1t Is remarkable
chiefly for the trial and acquittal ol
the Secretary Of War ia one branch
and numerous investigations i'm the
other. The House originated very
little legislation that was not polit
ical, and what Ii desired most TO dc
the Senate was most firm 10 resist
The Senate proposed nothing OF con.
sequence that was satisfactory TO the
House. Whatever criti.
cism the Congress may have chal-
lengei, its record is interesting, the
more 80, perhaps. because il may be
criticised. There Is omitted from
the following resume nothing which
can be OF general interest, either oi
the acts done or the acts attempted
In either house.
THE RESUME.
Congress met on the 9Th day OF
December. The House organized by
the election of NJ. G. Kerr, OF lndi-
ana, rs Speaker. The first day of the
House was marked by am attempt ON
the part OF certain Democrats TO
overthrow the Wheeler compromise
In Louisiana. Mr.. Wood, Of New
York, leading, offered resolution
against the admission OF Frank
Morey, who held the regular certiii-
cate OF election. There WAS a sharp
debate, and Mr.. Morey was uiti-
mately sworn I'm.
Dec. The Presidents Message
WAS delivered 10 both houses Of Con-
gress.
Dec. S.-The standing committees
of the Senate were elected.
Dec. IL Mr.. Mcmillan, claiming
scat In the Senate from Louisiana,
was given leave 10 withdraw his
credentials. On the same day Mr..
Blaine presented In the House his
resolution for an amendment TO the
Constitution relative TO religious In
terferonce with common schools.
Mr.. Fort, OF Illinois, offered "A reso-
luton that in making Federal np-
pointments wounded soldiers should
have tho preference. The Demo
crats avoided this troublesome ques-
tion by referring IL TO the Committee
on Accounts by vote of IGS to I02.
Dec. Is. MIR. Randall moved n
bill for the removal of political disa-
bilitics imposed by tho Constitution
for participation in tho rebellion.
In tho Senate Mr.. Morton intro.
duced a resolution for the investi-
CATION of the last election In MiSsis-
sippi.
Dec. IL. Mr.. Spencer called for an
investigation of his election AZ Scna-
tor. Mr.. Morton mado long speech
on Mississippi affairs.
Dee. 21.-The committees Of the
House were announced by Speaker
Kerr, and Congress adjourned for the
holiday recess.
Jan, 8. Mr.. Fort offered resoiu-
tion to the effect that the officers Of
tho House, In their appointments,
should give preference to all qualified
Union soldiers over soldiers Of the
Confedcracy. On motion Of Mr..
Fernando Wood, IL was referred 10
the Centennial Committee yeas ~,
nays 80.
Jan. H.. Eniogies were delivered
In both houses on Ex-President An
drew johnson.
Jan. i4.-Mr. Morrison's resolu-
tion for Investigations by all the
committees OF the House, and into
all matters connected with public af-
fairs, was adopted.
Jan. I7.--Mr. Holman introduced
resolution instructing tho Banking
and Currency Committee To report a
bill for the repeal Of the Resumption
act. The resolution WAS defeated
yeas III, nays i59. ON the same day
the rules OF tho House were 80
changed as 10 permit the COMMITTEES
on Appropriations TO assume general
charge OF all legislation and incorpo-
rate changes Of existing laws In gen.
cral appropriation bills.
jan. IL. - Mr.. r. B. Eustis present
cd credentials, claiming tn be y
senator elect from the State of Lou.
isiana.
Jan. 10. senator Morton made
his second speech upon Mississippi
affairs.
Jan. Eulogics upon the late
Vice President Wilson were deliv-
cred Ia both Houses.
Jan. 2J.--The House passed tho
Centennial Appropriation bill, grant
ing 81 .5O,, 900 In aid Of the Exhibit
tion. The Senate passed the bill au-
thorizing a commission for invosti-
CATION of the liquor traffic. No ac-
ton was taken on this by the
House.
Jan. 2G.--The House began the
consideration in committee OF the
whole Of tho Appropriation bill for
the West Point Military Academy.
Feb. The House considered a
resolution limiting Presidential Office
| TO ono term. 10 was discussed on
this and the following day when the
vote was taken, md the resolution
failed or the necessary two-thirds
vote, the yeas being i45 and the nayt
los.
Feb. 3. Tho Senate agreed t0f fhf
House resolution with innpcs III
amendments for payment OF Intefc ~
on the 3.GJ bonds 0f tho Uistrisg q
Columbia. after having debated j
for several days. The House began
the consideration of the consuIai
and Diplomatic a Appropriation bill.