The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-01-29

RRlDAY.--In both Houses resolutions Of
regret weru offered on the death Of Vice
President Wilson, and eulogies were delivered
by several Of the members.
SATuRDAY.-The Senate was not in session
In the House, nearly the whole session was
devoted TO debate on the Centennial Appro-
priation bill, which was advocated by Messrs.
Lawrence, Of 0hioi Teese, of New Jersey;
Jones, Of Kentucky; Morey, of Louisianna
Lapham, Of New York; Dunnell Of Mime
sofa; Monroe, of Ohio, and Kasson, Of Iowa;
and opposed by Messrs. Fuller, OF Indiana;
Caldwell, Of Tennessee; Sayler, Of Ohio, and
Holman, OF Indiana.
MoSDAY.-In the Senate, Mr.. Wright, of
lowe, from the Judiciary Committee, repor-
ted the bill 10 declare the true interest and
meaning Of the Union Pacific Railroad act,
and Mr.. Kelly, Of Oregon, from the Commit
tee on Railroads, reported the bill TO extend
the time for completion Of the Northern
Pacific Railroad. Bills were introduced by
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia, TO amend the
Bankruptcy laws, and by Mr.. Morton, Of In-
diana, TO establish mint at Indianapolis.
The resolution of Mr.. Davis for an investiga.
ton Of the accounts of the Treasury Depart.
ment was agreed TO after being so amended rs
to have the investigation made by the Finance
Committee.
In the House bills were introduced by Mr..
Wood, Of New York, suspending the sinking
fund until 1880 by Messrs. Chiuenden and
Whitehouse, Of New York, to fund the legal
tenders by Mr.. Ward, of New York, to pro-
vide transportation in interior waters, tau
thorizing and aiding the International Steam
ship Company to establish ship.yard on the
Atlantic coast, with. branch yards on the lakes
and Missssippi;) also, TO abolish the stamp
duty on proprietary medicines by Mr..
Scales, OF N. g., to reduce the tax on tobacco
and whisky and abolish the stamp tax on
checks; by Mr.. Hurlburt, Of Ill.,, to provide
for cheap transportation Of freight between
the Atlantic aud the Ohio and Mississippi
valleys; by Mr.. Morrison, Of ILL.,, to prepare
for specie resumption; and by Mr.. Tucker, Of
Va, for the establishment of an exchequer.
Mr.. Lapham, of N. Y, introduced Consti.
tutional amendment, changing the commence
ment Of the Presidents term to May l; and
Mr.. Wilson, Of Iowa, Constitutional amend
ment, making the term of Representative in
Congress begin on the LIST of January, Mr..
Buckner, of NO., from the Committee on the
District of Columbia, reported bill, which
was passed, directing the District Commits
'sioner to transfer to the United States Treas
urer, from unexpended appropriations Of
Congress, or revenues derived from taxation,
the sum necessary for the payment of interest
| on the $3.50 bonds, and prohibiting any further
issue Of such bonds. Resolutions were adop-
ted instructing the Post-oifiee Committee to
investigate the straw bid system; asking the
Secretary of the Treasury for infor nation
respecting the gold sales aud bond purchases,
and the amount of gold and silver in the
Treasury on the 3lst day Of December, 1875;
referring to the Judiciary Committee for action
the testimony taken in the Pacific Mail Subsidy
cases last session; instructing the Committee
on Civil Service TO inquire into abuses in the
administration Of the various branches Of the
| public service; instructing the Judiciary Com.
mittee to inquire whether improper means
were used to influence legislation on the
! Texas Pacific Railroad bill of 1871; and pro-
viding for q select committee to inquire into
the history of the "real estate pool in which
Jay Cooked Co. were interested. Adjourned.
| TUEsDAY.-ln the Senate several bills were
introduced, among them one by Mr.. Morrill,,
Of VT, to apply a portion of the proceeds Of
| the public lands to educational purposes.
| The bill for the appointment Of a commission
on the liquor traffic was passed-yeas 81,
nays 20.
In the House, Mr.. Cox, of New York, from
the Committee on Banking and Currency, re-
ported adversely three bills repeating the ten
! per cent. tax on the circulation Of State banks.
Mr.. Knott, of Kentucky, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill to reorganize the
Judiciary OF the United States, which was
recommitted, Mr. jerks, of Pennsylvania,
and Mr.. Rusk, of Wisconsin, from the Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions, reported bills
supplementary to the Pension laws. The
Centennial Appropriation bill was considered
in committee of the whole, and motion by
Mr.. Holman, of Indiana, to strike out the
enacting clause was lost--yeas l0l, nays l26.
The bill was then passed, yeas LAG, nays 1870,
with an amendment, requiring the payment in
full to the Treasury of any balance that may
be left IN the hands Of the Finance Commit.
tee before any dividend is paid to the stock
holders.
WEDNESDAY, the Senate, the House
bills transferring the custody Of certain Indian
trust funds from the Secretary of the interior
to the Treasurer Of the United States, and
amending the revised statutes relative to nat.
uralization, were passed. The House reso-
luton relating to payment Of interest on the
800 bonds Of the District of Columbia was
reported with an amendment and placed on
calendar. The bill to confirm public land
entries within the limits Of rail road grants wa.
discussed. The Centennial Appropriation
bill was received from the House and referred
In the House, bills were passed amendatory
of the statutes prohibiting department clerks
from presenting patent claims, and relating
to the assignment Of patents. The bill fixing
the postage on third-class mail matter at one
cent for every two ounces or fraction thereof,
was also passed. The Military Academy Ap.
preparation bill was considered in Committee
of the whole.
THuRsDAY.-In the Senate the joint resolu
ton from the House authorizing the Commits
sioners Of the District Of Columbia to pay tn,
interest on the 1866 bonds was debated ant
made the business for Friday. The bill tC
confirm preempton and homestead public
lands within the limits of railroad grants was
taken up, and after being amended SO as 10
provide that all such entries made in pur
, suance of the rules and instructions OF thu
Land Department within the limits Of m,
land grant subsequent to the expiration o
such grant, they shall be deem valid, and 4
compliance with the laws and the making o
the proof required shall entitle the holder o
? such claim to patent therefor, was ther
passed-yeas A, nays o.
In the House bill was reported to ament
sections 1884, &c. ofthe Revised Statutes, pro
viding penalties for sending obscen ematte
through the mails Mr. Hoar objected to tn,
bill as containing provisions more onerou!
than the bill reported by Mr.. Poland last SEES
: sion, which provided for the trial Of news
paper publishers in Washington when charge,
, with lbels, and would expose the press o
the country to danger one hundred fol-
greater. After further remarks the bill wa
recommitted. A bill from the Committee Of
Patents was passed prohibiting officers, cler :
| = q. Gayornp,anf nfi,ca. from ant