Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-02-13
44th Congress, Second Session.

SENATE.-MOnday, Feb. 5th.-A bill
was passed appropiating $3.50, 900 to pro-
vide for deficiency in transportation
for the public printing. Mr.. Cooper
submitted the views of the minority of
the subcommittee of the committee on
privileges and elections in regard to the
Florida election. The bill to abolish the
board of metropolitan police commits
sioners of the District of Columbia was
reported back from the committee on
the District with recommendation that
it be passed, Notwithstanding the veto
of the President. Mr.. West made per
sonal explanation denying any COM
plicity in trafficking In electoral votes
a resolution was adopted to bring before
the bar of the Senate J. f. Littlefield for
his failure to appear and testify before
the Senate committee On privileges and
elections instructed to inquire into
Louisiana matters. The message of the
President in regard to the resumption
OF specie payment was laid before the
Senate.
HOUsE.-1n the House the only bust
ness transacted was its non. concurrence
in the Senate amendment to the fortifi-
cation and Military Academy bills.
Tuesday, Feb. 6th.-Mr
Cameron, from the committee on foreign
relations, reported, with amendments,
the bill recently introduced by Mr..
Whyte to encourage and promote tele-
graphic communication between Amer
lea and Europe. The principal amend
ment provides that the rates charged to
governments shall not exceed those
charged individuals. The Senate con
sidered at length. without coming to
vote, the bill to amend the Pacific rail-
road acts. The Senate refused, by a vote
of yeas SO, nays %, to pass, over the
Presidents veto, the bill abolishing the
board of metropolitan police commits
sioners of the District of Columbia, the
necessary two thirds not voting in the
affirmative.
HOUsE.-In the House the deficiency
appropriation bill was called up, and its
consideration occupied most of the ses-
sion it appropriates 81 ,417,OO A reso-
luton was adopted for the printing of
the testimony taken before the commit
tee on Louisiana affairs, which has not
been printed.
SENATE.-Wedn esday, Feb. IA reso-
luton was introduced tc repeal the act
to incorporate the National Life Insur-
ance Company, and to provide for wind
ing up its affairs. A bill was passed au-
Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company
to buy and sell certain real estate and
other property. The bill to amend the
Pacific railroad acts was further discuss.
ed. The Senate, by vote of % to 20.
refused to agree to the House amend.
ment to the bill appropriating $3.50, 900
for the printing deficiency requiring that
government printers shall not be paid
more than is paid for similar work in
New York, Philadelphia aud Baltimore.
HoUsE.-The proceedings of the House
were devoid of interest.
SENATE. Feb. Sth.-A bill
was introduced to authorize the taking
OF certain parcels of lands for the Con-
gressional Library. House bill to nav
James B. Eads 100000 in money for
construction of jetties at the South Pass
of the Mississippi river, was indefinitely
postponed, the sentiment being in favor
of paying him in bonds, which he de-
sires. Theindian appropriation bill was
debated, slightly amended and passed,
HOUsE.-Mr. Buckner introduced a
bill abolishing The board of commission
ers of police of the District OF Columbia.
A letter was read from ]. Madison Wells
and Thomas G. Anderson, Of the Louis
lana returning board, complaining that
they were confined in damp, dark
dungeon in the cellar of the capitol
After debate the matter was referred to
the special committee on the Louisiana
election to inquire whether such a state
of affairs existed as described by Wells
and Anderson. The House then con-
sidered in committee of the whole the
deficiency appropriation bill.
SENATE.-Friday, Feb. 9th.-A com
mittee of conference was ordered on the
fertilization appropriation bill Mr..
WHITE presented resolutions of the Baiti-
more Board of Trade in favor of repeal
ing the tax on bank deposits and capital ;
also, bill to remove the political disa-
bilities of III. H. Lewis, OF Baltimore
Senate bill to encourage and promote
teIegraphic communication between
America and Europe was called I'D and
passed. The remainder of the session
was devoted to debate On the bill to
amend the Pacific railroad acts.
HoUsE.-Maiority and minority re-
ports were made from the committee on
Louisiana affairs the former claims the
election of the I'ilden and Hendricks
electors, and denounces the action of the
Louisiana returning board as fraudulent
and void; the minority report declares
the republican electors were duly elect
ed, and sustains tile action of the return
ing board as complying with the forms
of the State law and in compliance with
the constitution of the United States.