The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-26
CONGRESSIONAL.

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IN the House,, on the 18th, the ju-
dietary committee reported resolution in
the Hsbeas Corpus case of Hallett Kilbourne,
the recusant witness in the real estate pool
investigation, directing the sergeant-at-arms
to make careful return to the writ, setting
out the cause Of the detention of Kilbourne,
and retain the custody of his body, and not
to produce it before the Judge or cour. with
out further order of the House. The resolu-
ton was discussed at considerable length
both for and against. An inquiry was or
dered into the charge that the journal clerk
had offered to prosecute additional bounty
claims for commission. The clerk handed
in an explanatory letter which was read The
case was finally referred to the cummittee on
rules. The Senate bill to provide Tor admin
istering oaths in impeachment trials was
passed.
The principal business before the
Senate, on the 18th, was the opening of the
Belknap impeachment trial. After resuming
legislative business report was received
from the special committee appointed for the
purpose, recommending that Pinchback re-
ceive the full amount of Senator's pay
during the time of his contest for the seat.
The discussion of the Kilbourne ha-
beas corpus case was resumed in the House.
"A very bitter personal debate sprang up be-
tween Mr.. Tucker and Mr. Blaine, and an
amendment offered by the former that the
writ be not recognized, but on the question
being put the amendment was lost. On the
final amendment, by Mr.. Lynde, vote of 165
to IS ordered the sergeant-at-arms to produce
Kilbourne before the court. The House then
adjourned.
On the 18th the Senate Committee
reported .favorably on bill amending the law
relating to a new legal tender silver dollar.
A bill was passed requiring the congressional
printer to furnish members with the Congress
sional Record and other public documents at
cost, with ten per cent. additional. The bill
for repaving Pennsylvania Avenue was passed.
The deficiency bill including $25, 900 for the
Black Hills commission, was passed, and the
Senate adjourned.
The House was occupied the entire
day with contested election cases, and declar-
ed Haralson, of Alabama, entitled to his seat
and that J. J. Finley, of Florida, is entitled to
the seat of Wells.
. After the adjournment of the court
of impeachment, on the 10th, the Senate
passed the House bill defining the tax on fer
mented and malt liquors, alsoa bill to au-
thorize certain corporation to improve the
Oconto river. On motion of Senator Morton
the bill regulating the counting Of electoral
votes for President and Vice President was
reconsidered, and placed on the calendar. In
the course of his remarks Mr.. Morton refer
red to a charge against Thos. Jefferson that
he was guilty of fraud in counting the cleo
toral votes when he himself was candidate.
Mr.. Thurman refuted the charge
The Chairman of the Impeachment
managers reported to the House replication
to the plea of jurisdiction filed on behalf of
Babcock, and it was adopted. A bill was in
troduced providing for the coinage of Gen.
tennial coins. J. U. Filley of Florida, was de-
clared entitled to a seat and was sworn in
The evening session was for general debate
on the transfer of the Indian bureau to the
war department.
The Senate on the Goth passed I. bill
authorizing Mrs. Minnie Sherman Fitch to re-
ceive free of duty the wedding present from
the Khedive Of Egypt. The question OF max
ing silver legal tender came up and Mr..
Bogy spoke in favor of making it a legal ten
der for all amounts and receivable in payment
of all duties at custom houses.
In the House bills were introduced
limit the power of courts to punish for
contempt, and to enlarge the privileges of
the habeas corpus. This relates particularly
to cases in which Congress is directly con-
cerned. A resolution was introduced and re-
ferred, reciting the unsettled condition of the
Mexican border, and requesting the Presi-
dent to direct the General of the army to pro-
coed to the scene Of the troubles and take
such measures as he may deem necessary to
peace and protect the dignity and
honor-of the government. Mr.. Cole offered a
resolution for an Investigation Of the reports
connecting Secretary Bristow with the viola
ton of customs laws in the case of the Seizure
Of the barque Mary Merritt, in Milwaukee
Mr.. Hall requested that the resolution be
made more explicit, as Secretary Bristow de-
sired the fullest possible investigation.
The House on the 2lst amended the
passed previously for an investiga-
ton Of the newspaper rumors affecting Secre-
tary Bristow; the amendment places the
i'll the hands Of the ways and
means committee, and makes all proceedings
public. The bill transferring the Indian b1-
reau to the Indian department was passed by
a vote of 149 to "a.
THE NEW INDIAN POLICY.
The bill to transfer the Indian bu-
reau to the war department., provides
that after the LIST of July next the Sec
rotary OF War shall possess the juris-
diction now exercised and possessed
by the Secretary ID the Interior in re-
lation to Indian affairs; that he shall
from time To time mako "details of