Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-05-25
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

On the 18th, in the Senate, communication
was received from the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia, stating that no discrimination
exists in the management of the white and col
ored schools of the District, and that no National
legislation is required to secure equality in the
schools. Adjourned to the 18th. In the House,
Mr.. Cox was elected Speaker pro tenn. during the
continued absence of Mr.. Kerr, whose leave of
absence was extended for ten days The Post
Office Appropriation bill was considered in Com
mittee of the Whole, and several amendments
were disposed Of partial report was made
from the Committee on Printing the subject
of the Government Printing Office, stating that
the Congressional Printer has made overcharges
for work done by him, paid excessive prices,
through middlemen, for supplies, etc, etc, and
recommending resolution for his Indictment
and prosecution, and for the abolition Of the
Government Printing Office.
On the 18th the Senate was not IN session. =. In
the House. paper was sent to the Clerks desk,
by MIR. White, of Kentucky, containing full
history OF the charges against Doorkeeper Fitz-
hugh, showing him to have been indicted and
tried in Kentucky for arson and conspiracy, lar
ceny and perjury. Mr.. White also had read a let
ter from Mr.. Fitzhugh to a friend in Texas, CIV
ing ludicrous account of his experience as
Doorkeeper. resolution declaring that it is the
sense of the House that S. II. FItzhugh is not q
proper person to hold the position of Doorkeeper,
and that he be forthwith dismissed from that of
fee in view of the foolish letter above mentioned,
was, after long discussion, referred to the Com
mittee on Rules. The Postoffce Appropriation
bill was further considered in Committee of the
Whole.
On the 18th bills were passed in the Senate
House bill appropriating 5000 to defray the ex-
penses of the select committee appointed to in
vestigate Federal offices; House bill to amend the
act to encourage the growth of timber on the
Western praires; with amendments, House
bill to extend the time to pre,emptors in I Iblic
lands. The question of jurisdiction in the Bel
KNAPP Impeachment case was considered in secret
session. Several resolutions were adopted in
the House calling for reports and correspond
ence as to the whisky ring prosecu-
tons and the dismissal of John B. Henderson
as special counsel for the Government, etc.
Among the bills introduced Were-tO establish a
new boundary line between the States of Mis-
souri, and Kansas south of the Missouri River :;
chartering passenger and freight railroad from
the Southeast Atlantic to Lake Michigan; to pro-
vide for the repeal of all taxes on bank capital
and deposits The bill to authorize the issue of
silver coin to the extent of 100000 in eX-
change for legaltenders, to be reissued only after
currency, was defeated-yeas, 1875, nays, 73-less
than two-thirds in the affirmative. The bill to
allow Mrs Minnie Sherman Fitch to receive, free
of duties, her wedding present from the Khedive
Of Egypt, was passed
On the 18th, in the Senate, an adverse report
was made from the Committee on Finance
on the Senate bill to reduce the interest on the
public debt, to provide for safe and elastic cur
rency. ETC. The Senate bill to amend the act to
enforce the right Of citizens of the United
States to vote in the several States OF the Union
was repC Cd from committee, with amendments.
The Ihpeachment question was further consid-
cred in secret session, but no decision
was reached -. In the House, the re-
port of the Committee on Printing
on the Government Printing Office was called up,
and minority report was made taking the
ground that the Congressional Printeris officer
of the Senate, and therefore not amenable to the
jurisdiction of the House. After discussion, the
resolution offered by the committee relative to
the indictment and prosecution of the Con-
gressiOnal Printer was adopted, as was also a
resolution of inquiry as TO whether such officer
may be lawfully impeached.
On the nth, the question of Jurisdiction in the
pending mpeachment case was further considered
in the Senate in secret session, but decision
was reached. In the House, bill abolishing
the tax on receipts to savings banks was passed.
The Senate amendments 10 the bill to extend the
time to pre- emptors on public lands were con-
Cured in. The Postoffice Appropriation bill was
further amended in Committee of the Whole and
reported to the House, with the amendments,
which were agreed to, and the bill. as amended,
was passed
On the 18th, resolution was submitted by
Mr.. Norton in the Senate, and agreed to,
instructing the special Mississippi Election
Committee to inquire into the recentlyalleged
killing of people, and other outrages committed,
ST Bayou Tunica. near the Mississippi and
Louisiana lines. House bills were passed-au-
thorizing the appointment Of the Receivers
of National Banks, and for other purposes
making appropriations for the payment of
claims reported TO Congress under section
two Of the act Of June Is, 1874, by
the Secretary of the Treasury. No decision was
reached on the Impeachment question :. In the
House, George NJ. Adams, Clerk, asked for an in
vestigaIion into newspaper charges made against
him that he had been selling his appointments
which charges he pronounced absolutely false
the matter referred TO special committee
The Indian Appropriation bill (S3 COS, I'D was re-
ported from committee, and the Naval Appropri-
alton oil was considered in Committee Of the
whole