Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-05-04
THE WEEKIN CONGRESS.

In the Senate, ON Tuesday, an ad-
verse report was presented from the
committee on the District of Columbia
on Mr.. MOrton's resolution authorizing
The voters of the District of Columbia
to vote upon the question whether
they desire a District government, to
be elected by the people.
The Senate refused to recede from its
amendments to the Consular and Dip
lomatic Appropriation bill, and asked
for committee of conference.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Jones's
speech, the bill relating to legal tender
| of silver coin, with pending amend
ments, was ordered printed.
In the House the bill providing a tax
of Il per cent. on real and personal
property in the District of COlum bia,
WAS passed.
The legislative and executive apprO-
priatiOn bill Was considered in COM
mittee of the Whole.
The impeachment managers present
ed rejOinder to Belknap'S demurrer.
1t was adopted and ordered filed with
the Secretary of the Senate.
In the Senate, Wednesday, re>olu-
ton was adopted calling on the Presi-
dent for all correspondence not hereto
fore published in regard to claims for
captures made by the Confederate ship
Shenandoah.
Mr.. Morton called up his resolution
to submit to the qualified electors of the
District of G Ilumbia whether they de-
sire an elective form of government.
Mr.. Boutwell, offered substitute for
the resolution instructing the District
committee to report hill for the gov
eminent OF the Di~'rirt ot Columbia,
the officers OF " iIit h snail be chosen by
the qualified voters of the District
Mr.. Morrill, spoke at length on the bill
to establish an educational fund.
In the House, resolution Was adopt
ed referring to the committee on rules
certain charges brought against the
clerk of the House by the Washington
Gazette.
a resolution was adopted for the ap-
pOintment of select com mittee of nine
to make an Investigation of the man
agement of the New Orleans custom
house and the transactions of certain
federal officials in Louisiana.
On Thursday the Senate sat as a court
of Impeachment for the trial of Bel
KNAPP. Mr.. Lord moved that the vi
dence relating to the question of juris-
diction be given before the arguments
relating thereto, aud if such plea is
overruled that the defendant be re-
quired to answer within two days, and
the trial proceeded the next day after
Joining issue. -Four hours were spent
in arguing a motion by Belknap'sI
counsel to postpone the trial to the first
Monday in December next, which mo-
ton was not agreed to.
Pending argument on Mr.. Lords
motion the Senate adjourned.
In the House the Senate amendment
to the House bill defining the tax on
fermented or malt liquors was concur
red in. 1t provides that the act shall
not change the present rules of law re-
Specting evidence.
The House went into committee of
the Whole on the legislative and exc
cutive appropriation bill. Amend
ments were adopted: Prohibiting EN-
ployes of the Government from giving
or receiuing any money or thing OF
value for political purposes; allowing
heads of Departments to diminish the
number OF clerks in "a higher class, and
correspondingly reduce the number in
a lower class; prohibiting executive Of
ffcerS from employing any clerk or 9th
er employe except those for whom spe-
cific appropriations are made.
The committee on elections reported
in favor of uIseating Morey, Republi-
can, of La, and the seating of w. d.
Spencer, Democrat, the contestant.
IN, ENri1 l,a IN hn Dill
impeachment trial was resumed. The
Senate ordered that it would first pro-
ceed to hear and determine the queS-
ton whether Belknap Is amenable to
trial Notwithstanding his resignation,
and that in the argument on that point
should be discussed the question
whether issues of fact are material, ETC.
1t was also moved that the hearing
proceed on the 4th of May; that the
opening and close of the argument be
given to the respondent; and that three
managers and three counsel be heard
at such length as they may desire.
After arguments by HOar and Car
penter,- the Senate resumed legislative
business, and without transacting any
business of importance adjourned till
Monday.
The House voted on the amend
ments to the legislative appropriation
bill, and a number were adopted In
bulk. The amendment increasing the
of Territorial Judge was
rejected.
Seelye raised point of order on the
section transferring the Indian Bureau
from the Interior Department to the
War Department, claiming it to be
contrary to the rule which reads: "Nor
shall any provision in any such bill or
thereto, changing existing
law, be in order, except such as being
gerInane to the subject matter of the
bill, shall retrench expenditures" At
ter discussion, the Speaker sustained
the point, and the section transferring
the Indian Bureau was struck out. The |
bill then passed.