River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-11-15
FORTY FIFTH CONGRESS

fOhl Fir II OON0hESC
SENATE, Nov. Ga communication
Of the postmaster general asking $66l, $50 to
defray deficiency expenses of the department
the last fiscal year Bills were introduced:
BY Mr.. Window 10 exempt United states
trading yessles from port charges, by Plumbs,
to define the rights of homestead settlers; by
Cameron to impross the Mlsslsslppi from
the Milwaukee and st. Paul bridge To the
mouth of the Root river. Mr.. Mitchell offered
a resolution for investigating the construction
aud land grant of the Northern Pacific. Maxey
offered resolution for a commission TO in
vestigate the troubles on the Mexican border
HOUSE, Nov. 6th.-A number of bills
we're introduced, among them one 20 sub
sidize a steamboat line to Brazil; limiting the
sale Of agricultural lands TO actual settlers; by
Mr.. Stewart to extend the time for the COM
pieuon of the Northern Pacific; to establish
the territory of Lincoln; TO amend the con-
stitution, making the presidential term six
years; TO create an additional standing COM
mite on the improvement of the Mississippi
river and its tributaries; for uniform oath Of
Office for members Of congress. A resolu-
ton wal adopted calling on the secretary of
the treasury for the amount OF bullion in the
treasury, and the amout of gold obligations
outstanding.
House, Nov. speaker Randall laid
before the House the resignation of Chaplain
ton of regret which was adopted. The bill
for the repeal of the resumption law was then
taken up aud speeches made by Price, Kelly,
Cox, of Ohio, Harrison and Others. MIR. Wood
offered resolutian calling for information as
to the expenses Of the war department. Mr..
Blount reported the naval deficiency appro-
priation bill. Adjourned.
SENATE, Nov. S.-Mr Matthews intro
duced a bill supplementary to the resumption
act. 1t provides that legal tenders shalt not
be reduced below $350,OO0W0 and that a com
reserve of $l00O00000 shall always be kept +;
that when il falls TO $50O0O000 specie pay
ment shall be suspended, four per cent bonds
being given for legal tenders instead, until
the reserve is replenished. II also provides
for the sale of bonds for gTeenbacks. Reso-
buttons were introduced regarding the pay
ment of Mexican claims and the fulfilment of
the contract of the Union Pacific company
with the government, Mr.. Maxey's resolu'
ton calling on the president for Information
relative TO Mexican raids and Of Mr.. Mitchell
calling for information as TO the Northern
Pacific railroad were takenup and agreed to.
After an executive session, adjourned.
HoTsE, Nov. Sth.-The session was
taken up with long debate in committee ofthe
whole ON the army bill, which was participant
ed in by Mr.. Atkins, chairman of the appro-
priations committee, Mr.. Foster and others.
The bill provided for an army OF $4,000 men
and oppropriates 25,700,000, $3,000,000 less
than last year. The estimates were for $780,
100000. There was considerable discussion on
the question of the reduction Of the army after
which the House adjourned
SENATE, Nov. Bills were introduced
to authorize the payment of customs duties in
legal tender notes; relating to the Jurisdiction
Of courts in Gtah in matters of divorce, for the
construction and completion of the Northern
Pacific railroad; calling on the interior depart
ment for statement oftreaty obligations with
Indian tribes. Adjourned.
HOUSE, Nov. 9.--After the presentation
of some communications, the army bill was
considered in committee of the whole All
amendments reducing the army were mega
lived, the Texas members voting with the Re-
pGblicans for the purpose. The committee
rose without action. Petitions and memorials
were presented from the national board of
trade.
SENATE, Nov. 10.-Not in session.
HOUSE, Nov. f0.-The army bill was
considered IN committee of the whole, and re-
ported to the house after the adoption of an
providing for the recruiting of four
cavalry companies TO the full strength, to be
stationed on the Texas frontier, and the reiec-
ton of an amendment offered by Mr. Hooker
prohibiting the use of troops to suppress in
surrection in any State, except on demand of
the executive.
SENATE, Nov. Ex-senator Conkling
made personal explanation of certain state
ments in a recent New York Herald article:
Senator elect Voorhees,, of Indiana, was
sworn in. Some minor changes were made
in committees. Several bills were introduced
and referred, among them one by Mr.. Win
dom, to establish the department of COM
merce and one by Mr.. Davis, for the relief of
savings banks depostors. Communications
from the executive department. giving infor-
nation called for by various resolutions, were
presented. After an executive session, the
senate adjourned
House. Nov. 12.-The army bill came
up and after discussion andsome amendments
passed without division. The amendments
striking out the clause prohibiting enlist
ments was agreed to. The amendment of Mr..
Culberson authorizing the recruiting to full
force Of four regiments to be employed in the
defense of the Texas frontier, with proyiso
limiting the entire strength to 10000 men was
iting staff officers from receiving additional
rank or pay was rejected, 123 to 131. The
secretary of war transmitted a communica-
ton defending himself from the charge of
making enlistments without authority, which
was discussed Messrs. Hewitt and Banning
attacking the secretary, and Garfield and Dun
nell defending him. A large number of bills
were introduced among them bills to amend
the postal laws in relation to third class mat
ter, amending the banking law, fixing the
time for the meeting of Congress the first
Monday in January, reducing the number of
cadets in the army, for payment for cotton
seized and refunding the tax on cotton, pro-
hibiting by constitutional amendment the
paymant of rebel claims, for the payment of
duties in legal tender notes.