The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-15
Congressional Proceedings.

FRIDAY.-In the Senate the report Of the
Comptroller of the Currency was presented.
II was forwarded 10 the Senate on Monday
last, but failed from some reason, to reach
the Chamber until yesterday. Mr.. Edmunds,
Of W., called up resolution submitted by
HIM in November, asking information Of the
Attorney General regarding prosecutions by
the U. 5. Courts in South Carolina, since
January l, 1875, for oifenses agains life,
property and civil rights. The resolution
was adopted. The House bill for the relief
OF the sufferers by the wreck Of the Huron,
was passed with an amendment, aud sent
back to the House. Mr.. MITCHELL Of Oregon,
called up his bill to extend the time for com.
pletion of the Northern Pacific Railroad,
and after remarks b. him and Mr.. Thurman,
1t was referred to the Committee on Rail.
roads. The joint resolution of The House,
providing for holiday recess from December
10 TO January 10, was concurred in. Mr..
Matthews, of Ohio, called up his resolution
declaring the public debt in Bland silver
dollars, but consented to let It lie over until
Monday. After an executive session the
Senate adjourned until Monday.
In the House, bills were introduced by Mr..
stephens, Of Georgia, to amend the Texas
Pacific Railroad act; by Mr. Cox, Of New
York, TO organize the Life Saving Service; by
Mr.. Shelly, of Alabama, to Regulate Chinese
immigration; and by Mr.. Clark, of New
Jersey, 'for the resumption of specie pay
ments." A joint resolution was adopted for
recess from December 10th TO January
10th. Several private bills we're disposed Of,
and the Senate amendment to the Huron
Relief bill was eoucurred in. Adjourned
until Monday.
MoHDAY.-In the Senate the House Joint
resolution relating to reservoirs for the pro.
motion of the navigation of the Mississippi
was reported, with amendments, and placed
on the calandar. A resolution was adopted
instructing the Committee on the District of
Columbia to report, by bill or otherwise, a
proper form of government for the District
Several bills were introduced and referred
Mr. Wadleigh, of N. H., called up the reso-
luton declaring j. b, Eusts entitled to a
seat as Senator from Louisiana, and it was
adOpted--yeas 40, nays 8. Mr.. Eustis was
then sworn in, and took his seat. The
bill to enable Indians to become citizens
came up as the special order, but was post
poned until the 10th of January next. Mr.
Matthews, Of Ohio, then called up his resolu.
ton declaring the public obligations payable
in Bland silver dollars, and it was debated at
length. Mr.. Morrill,, of VT, moved that the
resolution be referred TO the Committee on
Judiciary. Mr.. Conkling moved an amend.
ment making the resolution joint instead
of concurrent one, so that it should go to
the President for his signature. Pending dis
cussion adjourned
In the House a number Of bills and resolu.
tons were introduced and referred under the
call Of States. Mr.. Wood, of New York,
from the Committee on Ways and Means
reported the usual resolutions for the distri
hutsn. e II
different Committees Mr.. Hewitt offered an
amendment specially directing the Commit.
tee on Foreign Affairs to the consideration
Of such measures in regard to the Rio Grande
troubles as will prevent the possibility Of war,
and continue and enlarge our commercial re.
lations with Mexico. After debate, the
amendment was adopted
TUEsDAY.-ln the Senatea resolution offer
ed by Mr.. Conkling was adopted, providing
for special committee Of seven to report
measures for the promotion of commercial
intercourse with Mexico, and establishment
of peace on the border, the committee to have
power to send for persons and papers Mr..
Matthews resolution favoring the payment
OF the National obligations in Bland silver
dollars came up in order and was again de-
bated. A motion by Mr.. Allison, Of Iowa,
TO lay it aside and take up the Silver bill was
defeated, the yeas being is, the nays 43.
In the House, the Deficiency Appropria-
ton bill was reported with the Senate amend
ments, and some Of them including the item
Of 100000 for "StGri mail service, were
were concurred in. Others were rejected,
and the bill goes back to the Senate. Sever.
al appointments on COMMITTEES we're announc.
ed and the House then adjourned.
WEDSEsDAY.-In the Senate the bills to
regulate expenditures in tee navy, and au-
thorzing a general account of advances for
naval appropriations were passed. Several
bills were introduced and referred. Mr.. Da.
Wis, Of W. Va, offered q resolution asking
information of the Secretary of War Is 70 the
strength and condition Of the militia of the
several States, what recommendations he
may have to make on the subject, and wheth-
er the annual appropriation for the militia
should be increased. 1t was ordered to be
printed, and Mr.. Davis said he would call il
up at an early date. a resolution offered by
Mr.. Edmunds, of Vermont was adopted,
enarging the scope Of inquiry of the Select
Committee on Presidential Elections. A
Commute OF conference was appointed on the
Deficiency bill. The Matthews resolution
was considered, and Mr.. Chaffee, of Colora
do, offered a substitute, declaring the Gov
eminent bonds payable at the option Of the
Government in coin of gold or silver of the
standard value when such bonds we're issued.
Pending discussion the Senate went into ex.
ecutiye session, and at p. NJ. adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Stephens, of Ga, intro
duced bill to repeal the iron.clad oath for
pensioners. The Colorado contested case
was discussed. A conference committee on
the Deficiency bill was ordered. A resolu
ton was adopted directing the Select Com.
mittee on Presidential Elections TO take also
into consideration the duration of the Presi.
dental term. Adjourned.
THURSDAY In the Senate, q bill was pre-.
sented to authorize and equip an expedition
to the Arctic seas. Mr.. Voorhees, introduced
a resolution setting forth that it was Of the
highest importance that the government
should keep all its contracts in good faith.
Mr.. Allison submitted an amendment to the
silver bill, providing for conference Of the
government of the countries composing the
Latin Union, and of such other European
nations as may be deemed advisable, TO adopt
common ratio of legal-tender as between
gold and silver, for the purpose Of establish.
ing internationally the use Of bi.metalic mon
ey and securing fxity Of relative value be-
tween these metals. The Senate then resum.
ed the consideration of Mr.. Matthews s. esolu-
ton declaring the right of the government TO
pay the bonds of the United States in silver,
and speeches were made in support of the
resolution by Senators Beck and Allison,
and in opposition by Senators Bayard and
Hill.
In the House the contested case from Colo.
RADIO, Patterson, dem., against Bedford. rep. 4,
was called up and occupied the whole day'
The case was finally disposed Of by the pas.
sage OF resolution seating Patterson, the
vote standing yeas l16, nays ito.