The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, December 10, at the explra-
ton of the morning hour, Mr.. Wadleigh,
Chairman of the Committee on Privileges
and Elections, called up the resolution re-
ported from that committee last week, de-
claring J. B. Eustis entitled to his seat as
Senator from Louisiana from January II,
1876, for the term ending March 8, 1879.
After brief discussion the resolution of
Mr.. Wadleigh was agreed to. Yeas, 40 nays,
s. Those voting in the negative were AL
lison, Cameron, of Wisconsin, Hamlin,
Howe, Ingalls,, Mcmillan, Morrill,, and Saun-
ders. On the announcement of the vote,
Mr.. Eustis was escorted to the desk of the
Vice-President by Mr.. Thurman, and
the oath of Office administered to him.
The special order of the day, being bill to
enable Indians to become citizens of the
United States, was presented, and, on mo-
ton, was made the special order for the
18th of January next. Mr.. Teller called up
the resolution submitted by him last week,
calling upon the Secretary of the Interior
for information in regard to lands ceded to
the United States by the confederate band
of Ute Indians in Colorado, and whether
payments are made TO such Indians in pur-
suance Of agreement made with them.
Agreed to. Mr.. Matthews, of Ohio, then
called up from the table the concurrent res
olution submitted by him Thursday last,
declaring the right of the government to
pay the principal and interest of the bonds
in silver dollars containing four hundred
and two and half grains standard silver.
Mr.. Matthews made his maiden speech in
the Senate, fayoring his bill; it is con-
sidered by all parties an able defense of
the measure. Messrs. Morrill,, Conkling,
Edmunds and Thurman took part in the
debate. Pending the discussion, Senate ad-
journed........In the House, several bills
were introduced and referred. Also, reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the Con-
hot fha Of OFF
of the President be six years. A resolution
for distribution of the Presidents Message
among various committees was adopted.
The subjects referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs are The war between Russia
and Turkey; the renewal of the treaty be-
tween the United States and Italy; qucs-
tions as to naturalization and commerce be.
tween the United States and Germany !;
French Exposition; extradition articles of
the treaty of 1912 between the United States
and Great Britain; treaty with Great
Britain for the protection of trademarks !;
recognition of President Diaz, of Mexico,
and the difficulties on the Rio Grande bor-
der; the insurrection in Cuba and interfer.
ence therein with the rights of American
citizens, and other unsettled questions with
Spain; the unsettled claims of American
citizens against Venezuela; relations with
the Central and South American States, and
the proposed recognition of the government
of the Samoan Islands. The question Of the
Mexican border troubles was discussed at
length, and resolutions and amendments
favoring peaceable measures were adopted.
In the Senate, December IL, nearly the
whole morning hour was occupied in the
presentation of petitions from all parts of
the country in favor of the amendment to
the Constitution SO as to prohibit the States
from disfranchising citizens on account of
sex, asking the appointment of commission
70 1-ol l,rl, Sroff
and urging Congress not to take any action
concerning the revision of the tariff until it
shall have ascertained by inquiry the condi-
ton of the business of the country and the
legislation be such as in the opinion of prac-
teal business men will promote the business
prosperity of the country. All were referred.
Mr.. Conkling submitted resolution pro-
viding for the appointment of committee
of seven Senators to inquire and report
whether any and what measures can be de-
vised to promote commercial intercourse
with Mexico, and to establish O Just and
peaceful condition of affairs ON the border
between this country and Mexico. 1t also
authorized the committee to send for per
sons and papers, and to visit such places as
it may think proper in making the inquiry.
Agreed to- Several bills were introduced
and referred. Consideration was then re-
sumed of the resolution of Mr.. Matthews
declaring the right of the government to
pay the bonds in silver. While the bill was
under discussion, Mr.. Allison moved, as this
day had been assigned for the consideration
of the Bland Silver biil,- to lay aside
| Mr.. Matthews's resolution, and take tip the
silver bill. Rejected-yeas, IS; nays, 43
| The Senate then went into executive ses.
| sion, and soon after adjourned. ...... House
| Mr.. Durham, from the Appropriation Com
mittee, reported back the Deficiency Ap
| preparation Bill with Recommendation
that the House concur in certain of the
Senate. amendments, and non-cohcur in
others. Mr.. Durham explained when the
bill passed the House it appropriated 81,
| $40 900. The Senate had added 81 139, 900 te
| the bill. Several amendments of the Senat,
were honoured in, and the bill goes back tt
| that body.
| In the Senate, December II, Mr.. Sargen
| from the Committee on Naval Affairs, re
ported favorably on the Senate bill to regu
| late expenditures in the navy. Passed. Also
| the Senate bill authorizing general &C
count of advances for naval appropriations
| Passed. A resolution of Mr.. Davis, of Yves
Virginia, in regarding to organizing tn
militia of the several States was ordere,
printed. MIR. Davis gave notice that h
would call it up at an early day. Upon mo
ton of Mr.. Allison, the Senate insisted upol
its amendments to the deficiency appropria
ton bill, and committee of conference wa
ordered. Messrs. Sargent, Dorsey, an
Beck were appointed members of the CON
mittee on the part of the Senate. At the e1
piration of the morning hour consideration
was resumed of unfinished business, bein
the resolution of Mr.. Matthew
declaring the right of the go,
Mr.. Chaffee, of Colorado, submitted the fo
lowing as substitute: "That all bonds {
the United States issued or authorized to b
issued under said acts of Congress heret,
fore recited are payable, principal and il
) terest, at the option of the government,
coin of gold or silver of standard valu
when the bonds were issued; and that I
t restore to coinage such silver coin as a Leg
tender, co-equal with gold coin, is not
violation of the public faith, nor in derog
, ton of the rights of public creditors" g
dered printed. Pending the discussion of NJ
-. Matthews's resolution, motion to procet
to the consideration of executive busine
was agreed to, by vote of Al to 20...... In Il
S House, Mr.. Harris, Chairman of the Electic
9 Committee, called up the Colorado electi6
a case, the majority report, reported by Il
= Democratic members, declaring PattersC
d entitled to a seat, and the minority repol
0 signed by Hiscock, Wait, and Thornbur
declaring Belford duly elected. Mr.. tox,
Ohio, submitted another report, declaril
n there had been no valid election. The pl
sentation of arguments in support of t
majority and minority reports occupied t
, entire day.
G In the Senate, December 13, Mr.. Gamer,
:. of Wisconsin: presented the petition
David L. Corbin, of South Carolina, aski
o that his claim to seat from that State m
~ be inquired into, and decided upon
- me, its. lie moved the petition lie upon
20 table for the present, and gave notice tt
e he would call it up hereafter and move
reference to the Committee on Priviles
and Elections. So ordered. Mr.. Noorht
n submitted the following resolution a
IS gave notice that he would call it up Tu
II day, January 10, 1878, for the purpose
submitting some remarks thereon:
"Resolred, That it is of the highest importa
that the financial credit of the government be ma
pc tained, and in order to do the government Its
in all its departments, should, in good faith, k
$, all its contracts and obligations entered into
re its own citizens"
At the expiration of the morning no
consideration was resumed of the reso
ton of Mr.. Matthews to pay the bonds
es silver, and Mr.. Bayard, Mr.. Hill, of Geors
al and Mr.. Dawes spoke in opposition, a
Nv Mr.. Allison in favor. Mr.. Spofford te
the floor to speak upon Mr.. Matthew
resolution, but yielded for a motion