Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-04-01
CONGRESS.

Morton gave notice that he would
on Monday next call up the long
delayed resolution for an investi
CATION into the Mississippi cleo
ton. The debate on the bill ~
provide for counting the Presi-
Dental vote was resumed. Mr..
Merrimen proposed to amend the
second section by providing that
the return to be received shall b.
duly authenticated by the Stat.
authority recognized by and in
harmony with the United State
as provided by the constitution.
The amendment was negativea
after debate, as was also one Of
fered by Mr. Randolph, of New
Jersey. The bill was then amend
cd in it's ohraseology and the ques-
ton required on its passage. Mr..
Eaton said he was opposed to the
bill believing the Constitution was
perfect as it was, and he saw no
use in tinkcring it. Without ac-
ton the Senate went into Execu-
tive session, and soon after adj
jOurned.
In the House a bill was passed
repeating the law which forbids
the appointment of any position
in the army of persons who served
in any capacity in the Confederate
States. Mr.. Banning, of Ohio, re-
ported a bill regulating the pay of
army officers, Pending the action
upon it the morning hour expired,
and the House went into commit
tee of the whole on the Legisla-
tive, Executive and Judicial APP
preparation bill. Mr.. Yates, of
North Carolina, defended the De-
mocratic party and assailed the
Republicans, exciting much mer-
riment. He said the Republicans
considered disloyalty to their par
ty as disloyalty to the Govern
ment, and because the Southern
Democrats could not be bought
they were treated as rebels. Grant
ism in the South at one time had
bid fair to change the character
of the Government, as there was
not a Republican in the South
who would not have voted to
make Grant king. The commit
tee then rose without acting on
the bill, and the House adjourned.
MARCH 24.-The only measure of
Importance discussed in the Senate
was Mr.. Morton's bill prescribing
the manner of counting the votes for
President and Vice President. Mr..
Burnside offered an amendment pro-
viding that when two sets, of returns
came from the same State, that they
should be submitted to the Supreme
Court for decision as to which
should be counted. This amend
ment was voted down. Mr. Bay
ards amendment providing for the
submitting of the disputed returns to
a vote of the House of Representa-
tives was also rejected. The origi-
nal bill was then passed by vote of 80
yeas to "a nays. Mr.. Thurman and
Mr.. Merrimon voted with the Re-
publicans in favor of the bill. Messrs
Conkling ,Edmunds and Howe voted
with the Democrats against the bill.
MIR. Thurman gave notice of mo-
ton to reconsider the vote by which
the bill was passed. The Senate adj
journed oyer till Monday.
The House went into Committee
of the Whole on the Executive and
Judicial Appropriation bill, and
dozen or more members gave their
views on the policy of reducing sala-
rieS. The debate took partisan
turn. An amendment offered by
Mr.. Foster, of Ohio, reducing the
pay of Congressman to S., 700 instead
of 81 500, as proposed in the bill was
rejected. The House adjourned over
till Monday.
MARCH 2S.-The only matter
of Importance before the United
States Senate yesterday, was Mr..
MOrton's resolution for the ap-
pointment of a committee to inves-
tigate the frauds in the Missis-
sippi elections. After speech on
the subject by Senator Christiancy
the substitute offered by that gem
tleman was accepted by Mr.. Nor
ton, but a motion to proceed with
its consideration was lost. The
Consular Diplomatic Appropria-
ton bill was further discussed and
amended by fixing the salaries of
the Ministers to England, France,
and Germany at 1850 per an
mum, but an amendment to restore
Italy to its former position was
voted down, and the Senate shortly
afterward adjourned.
In the House OF Representatives
the principal item was the Payne
Currency bill, adopted by the
Democratic caucus, which failed
to pass, the vote standing, yeas
81, nays 156-nearly two-thirds
majority against it. Mr.. Willis,
Of New York, introduced a bill to
FUND the non-interest bearing debt
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