American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-04-08
FoRTY-FoURTH CONGRESS.

In the Senate, on the 9th, Mr.. Morton
called up his resolution for the appointment of a
committee to investigate frauds in Mississippi
elections. Mr.. Christiancy introduced an
amendment, and proceeded to discuss its merits.
1t provides that committee of five Senators be
OF these allegations. etc., and to inquire and re
port to the Senate, before the end of
iesslaton eSen is necessary to secure so
said coored citizens the free enjoyment Of their
{ Constitutional rights, and that said committee
be empowered to visit said State, and to send for
persons and papers. to take testimon yon oath,
and to use ali necessary processes for these pur
cept the substitute. Mr.. Cooper demanded
the regular order, and the Chair laid
Diplomatic bill the business before the Senate.
Mr.. Morton moved to lay aside that bill and fin
ish with the Mississippi resolution After debate
the question was taken, and, on it, Mr.. Morton
lost@yeas ii. nays 81: The senate then pro;
Diplomatic bill. In the House, MI. Payne
moved to suspend the rules and pass. his bill
to provide for gradual resumption Of specie
called upon Mr.. Payne's motion to suspend the
would have required a two-thirds vote to pass
the bill. and the fact that there was nearly a
ter. The House then went into Committee
Of the Whole. on the bill providing for de-
Of '' he T Tre ae and a for the issuance
of subsidiary silver coin. MFR. Townsend (Pa)
offered d,. an amendment providing that silver
States notes, in sums of not less than 81, and
shall be redeemable for postage and revenue
except customs, in sums Of not over IS; and
shall be redeemable on presentation, in such
s apa hinder sg nnd tGat the as
issue of silver coin shall not exceed $50 900 200
The amendment was opposed by Messrs. Landers,
Messrs. Randall, Eames, Burchard, Garfield !,
and others. The committee rose and reported
the bill and amendments, with the understand
ing that five minutes debate will be allowed in
the House. and vote taken on each amendment.
In the Senate, on the 2Sth, beyond sone
debate on pending bills no work was accom-
plished. The House, by vote of 90 TO 80. re-
fused to deliver up Hallet Kilbourne, the contr
macious witness in the real estate pool matter
the District Court, and the Sergeant at Arms
was ordered to keep him in custody until other
wise ordered by the House. Mr.. Atkins, from
the Conference Committee on the bill to supply
I the deficiency at Red Cloud Sioux Agency, made
report that the House should concur in the
Senate amendment increasing the amount from
500, GOO to $50 600. The report was agreed to.
In the Senate, on the Goth, the Diplomatic
Appropriation bill was passed. On motion of
Mr.. Morton, the resolution for the appointment
of committee to investigate alleged frauds in
the recent election of mississippi was taken up
the bill reported from the Committee on Military
Affairs. reducing the pay Of general officers Of
the army, was passed-yeas, lat; nays. Il The
House then resumed consideration of the bill to
provide for the issue of silver coin in place of
fractional currency, etc. but did not reach any
vote on the main question.
In the Senate, on the 3Oth, somewhat
acrimonious debate took place upon Mr.. Nor
toms bill to appoint committee to investigate
| the Mississippi election, the principal speakers
being Messrs Bayard and Boutwell, The bill
went over without action. the House
Mr.. Knott. chairman of the Committee on Judi
ciary, presented articles to be adopted and pre-
sented in the senate in maintenance and support
of the impeachment for high crimes and misde-
meanors in Office of William W. Belknap, late
secretary of War, which were recommitted and
ordered printed. with the understanding that
they would be called up saturday next. The i'm
parchment articles five ia number, and are
wor,lcd in the usual legal phraseology, one being
largely IA repetition of tie other. There was fur
liner consideration Of the bill for the substitution